Shumake appointed permanent director of Walla Walla County Community Development

By Dan Thesman on Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners has appointed Melissa Shumake as the permanent director of the Community Development Department following a competitive recruitment search.

Shumake, who has served as acting director since November 2025, previously joined the county as deputy director in January 2024. A certified planner with degrees from the University of Idaho, she is credited with streamlining department operations by reducing permit processing times and improving customer service.

Under her recent leadership, the department transitioned planning work back in-house to cut costs associated with third-party contractors and strengthened code-compliance enforcement. Commissioners praised Shumake for her resourcefulness and commitment to departmental investment.

Shumake’s extensive background includes leadership roles in long-range planning for various municipal and county governments.

Photo of Melissa Shumake