Meet Mike Poirier, Mayor of the City of Wenatchee

Poirier was elected in 2023 and began his term as mayor in 2024. Before that he served on the Wenatchee City Council from 2016-2019 and again from 2022-2023.

Poirier, who grew up and raised his family in Wenatchee, is dedicated to guiding the city's growth while preserving its unique character.  

We caught up with Poirier recently to learn about his insights on Wenatchee's future, the challenges it faces, and his commitment to community service. From fostering economic development to tackling homelessness, Mayor Poirier is focused on making a positive impact on his hometown.

What makes Wenatchee unique, and how do you plan to leverage these qualities for the city's growth? 

Wenatchee is unique in that we enjoy big-city amenities in a small-town environment. Wenatchee is fortunate to have organizations such as the Chelan County PUD, the Chelan-Douglas Regional Port, and all of the numerous non-profit agencies that actively invest and steward the resources of this valley. The city is growing, and my job is to ensure we are planning for the future with the same care and thoughtfulness as those who came before us. The City recently completed the Reimagine Wenatchee Target Area Master Plan, which identifies opportunities for investment in our downtown and waterfront areas in a way that is responsive to the community's needs and builds on past investments. 

What specific sectors or industries do you believe hold the most promise for Wenatchee's economic future, and how do you plan to support their growth?

Agriculture continues to be a strong backbone of this community, but tourism, education, and technology are trending upwards. We are on the map for organizations such as Microsoft and other ancillary or supporting services; Wenatchee Valley College is a big asset to this community by providing accessible education, and we have become an outdoor destination for visitors. The key plan here is partnerships – the City is not the only agency that provides services to the public, and our tax dollars are limited to how we can spend them; however, when we partner with local agencies, we can make those resources go much further. 

What motivated you to pursue a career in public service?

I was raised in Wenatchee and raised my family here, too. I want to help our community grow and I will do what's needed to help Wenatchee be the best Wenatchee it can be.  

What's the most important lesson you've learned so far in your role as mayor?

Investing in our community members and especially our young community members is crucial to the growth and future of the collective. I really enjoy meeting members of the community and encouraging them to become more civically involved. 

What does a normal day look like as mayor?

Every day is different in this role. It ranges from meetings with staff on priority projects to meeting with community members. I start each day by checking my emails and phone calls to determine my plan, which includes consulting with my wife, Maureen, on what to wear. My schedule ranges too, sometimes I have late evening meetings or weekend events, but I try to keep in touch with my family throughout the week and leave time to catch up on all my favorite shows. The running joke from my family is that if there is a new movie or a series or a show, I've probably already seen it. 

 What is your favorite part of your job and why?

I really like getting to know the people who I work with and meeting new people. There is just so much to learn, I won't ever know everything, but I get to know a little bit of everything that everyone knows. 

What are the biggest challenges facing Wenatchee currently, and how do you plan to address them?

The biggest challenge in the community is homelessness. This is a very complex topic that we're facing as a nation and is not unique to Wenatchee, however, we have to tailor a plan that fits our needs. My plan is to address the issue with compassion and accountability. 

The City of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee partnered on a housing sales tax and we've had a lot of successes with the program so far. We've set up two Safe Parks, funded several low-barrier shelters, and are working on hiring personnel that will focus on this effort full-time.  

We've also enacted codes that help protect the public at large from the negative impacts of vandalism, theft, and drug use. We want to support those who live in our community to engage with community and offer them services, but not at the expense of our quality of life.

What are the key goals you hope to achieve for Wenatchee in the near future?

Homelessness is my number one priority. This is an issue that affects all of our city departments, economic development, quality of life, safety and more. My overall goal is that we get those living in homelessness on path of self-help and sustainability and they become active members of our community, reducing the impact and strain to our local businesses, residents and public amenities. 

Who or what inspires you?

My family is my inspiration, they remind and inspire me to do better every day and to make the best out of each day.

What do you like to do with your free time?

I spend most of my time with my children, in-laws, and grandchildren. I like spending time outdoors as well, fishing, crabbing, or just taking walks through all of our beautiful outdoor areas. 

Is there anything else you want our readers to know?

I invite the community to learn more about their local governments, nonprofits and education agencies. When community participates in these organizations, they can be a part of the planning and solutions. It is hard work but it is very rewarding. 

Quinn Propst: 509-731-3590 or quinn@ward.media.