County Commissioner (District 2), Chairman
Michael Alvarez
Commissioner Michael Alvarez was elected to the Board on January 1, 2023, to represent District 2, which includes Prosser, Benton City, and portions of Richland, Kennewick, Plymouth, and the Horse Heaven Hills area. He previously served as Mayor of the city of Richland and served on Richland city council from 2018 to January 1, 2023. Michael is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and is now currently serving as an active member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary under the Dept. of Homeland Security.
Board and Commissions: Michael’s past additional duties have consisted of liaison assignments to the Planning Commission, Economic Development Committee, Code Enforcement Board, Art’s Commission, Richland Senior Association, Port of Kennewick, Hanford Communities Governing Board Member, Energy Communities Alliance, Benton Franklin Community Action Committee Board Member, Tri-Cities National Parks Committee Co-Chair, Richland Ex Officio for the Tri-Cities Regional Chamber of Commerce, Richland Police Pension Board Chair, Richland Fire Fighters Pension Board Chair, and Richland City Council’s Capital Improvement Project Committee member.
Community Service: Has included serving as a Commissioner for Richland Parks and Recreation Commission, Board Member for Blue Mountain Council Boy Scouts of America, National Child Identification Program Volunteer, Richland Parks and Recreation youth baseball coach, Richland National Little League baseball coach, and Charity Organizer and Fund Raiser for Safe Harbor/My Friends Place and other local charities.
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration – Human Resource Management. He is also a Washington State licensed instructor teaching Code of Ethics, Finance, Business Management, and Advanced Business Management to professional associations throughout Washington State.
Michael and his wife moved to Richland in 1992 after both graduating from New Mexico State University. Their children were born in Richland and are graduates of Richland High and WSU. Michael and his wife of more than 33 years currently own and operate a successful local financial company in Tri-Cities for almost three decades.
Michael’s hobbies include fishing, archery, hiking, boating, biking, golfing, and running.
Commissioner Alvarez's committee assignments can be found on the Board Assignments page.