Bertlin Sworn in as City Council's Newest Member

 was sworn into office at the Jan. 3 City Council meeting to begin a four year term following her .

"I am honored and deeply appreciative of the opportunity to serve this community. I am commited to serving the needs of all Islanders and working in a respectful and proactive manner," Bertlin said in a city press release.

Bertlin previously served as Chair of the Open Space Conservancy Trust and as a Board member for the  and .

Bertlin moved to Mercer Island as a child in 1976 and graduated from  in 1982. She went on to receive undergraduate and graduate degrees from Stanford University. In 1988 she was awarded a Rotary Graduate Scholarship from the  and in 1999 earned a second masters degree in economics from University of Sussex in the United Kingdom.

Currently the Director of Innovation, Mobility for Avanade Inc., a Microsoft - Accenture joint-venture, she previously held senior positions with Microsoft and Oracle both in the United States and overseas. She has worked and lived in Austria, Germany, South Africa, and Singapore. Debbie has focused on technical and economic development, government relations, and business/ operations management.

After an extensive overseas career, Debbie returned to Mercer Island in 1999 and currently resides on First Hill. She and husband Brian have two young daughters and a Bernese Mountain Dog named "Buzz."

Councilmember Bertlin can be contacted at 206.275.7995 or via e-mail atdebbie.bertlin@mercergov.org.