Longtime Federal Way resident Mark Koppang, 51, has announced his bid for election to the Federal Way City Council Position 5.
The position is currently filled by Councilman Bob Celski, who recently stated he will not run for Council after his term expires at the end of this year. Koppang has run for office two times, including running against Kelly Maloney, who was appointed to the Council seat Position 2 in 2013.
“I’ve been serving the community in different capacities for several years,” Koppang said. “Federal Way is a great city and a young city full of potential. I would love to be a part of helping it grow.”
Koppang said his priorities will include continuing the efforts to revitalize the downtown core and encourage employers to stay in, and relocate to, Federal Way. He also wants to partner with organizations, such as the Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce, and different businesses within the community.
“I want to see what we can do at the city to address the challenges businesses have,” he said.
Koppang believes Federal Way can be a model for other cities by creating a culture that transcends the racial and economic divisions he feels are still a part of too many communities in the country.
“We’ve got land to build and plenty of opportunities to develop underdeveloped properties,” he said. “Working together, Federal Way can become a magnet city for those that embrace and celebrate diversity.”
In addition to serving as chair of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department; Civil Service and Independent Salary commissions, Koppang is a member of the Federal Way Kiwanis, supporter of the Federal Way Chamber, a Habitat for Humanity volunteer and recently was asked by the Federal Way school board to chair the Citizens Superintendent Search Advisory Committee.
“I believe my background could work well with different groups,” Koppang said. “It’s about people in Federal Way, not race or economic status. There’s a lot of diversity here and we deal with people as people.”
Koppang came to Federal Way as a teenager in 1975. He has been married for 28 years and has two children.
He currently works as a national accounts manager for Ampac’s manufacturing plant in Auburn. His previous jobs have given him the opportunity to travel around the country performing service projects. According to his website, he’s been to Uganda, California and Texas, but said he was always anxious to come home to Federal Way.
“Federal Way is a great place to live,” Koppang said.
He also noted he wants to ensure the police force is fully staffed.
“I think public safety is very important and should be made a priority,” he said. “We also need great roads and great parks for our community.”
