Term of Office
Appointed: 09/2004-2005
Elected: 11/2005-12/31/2009
How to Contact
Mail: Olympia City Council
PO Box 1967
Olympia, WA 98507-1967
Phone: 360-753-8447
Send an Email to Joe Hyer
Please note: Written correspondence to a Councilmember,
including email, is a public document.
Biographical Information
Born and raised in the Olympia area, Joe Hyer graduated from Tumwater High School in 1991 before spending 2 years in Washington DC, studying International Politics at The George Washington University. In 1994, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Pacific University in Oregon. In both high school and college, Joe was heavily involved in academics, speech and debate, and community service. He became an Eagle Scout in 1991, and worked 9 summers as summer camp staff for the Boy Scouts.
In 1995, Joe embarked on a new project, founding and co-owning The Alpine Experience, a retail store dedicated to Mountain Sports Equipment. The company moved to its permanent home in Downtown Olympia in 2000, renovating and occupying the old Hyak Lumber Building on Olympia Avenue. In 2004, they also opened a sister company, the Warehouse Rock Gym, a full-scale indoor climbing facility.
In addition, Joe has served the community in the following ways:
- Past board member and President of the Olympia Downtown Association, with work on Marketing, community relations, and governmental relations.
- 11 years volunteering as a company advisor and speaker for Washington Business Week, fostering business education opportunities to Washington youth.
- 14 years with the Olympia Mountaineers, serving as Climbing Chair, Treasurer, First Aid Chair, and Conservation Chair.
- Past member of the City of Olympia Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
- 3 years on the Bridge Marketing Team, City of Olympia Gateway Corridor Project.
- Active member, Outdoor Industry Association – lobbying team, 2004 Capitol Summit in Washington DC.
- Current Advisory Board Member, Capitol Land Trust.
- Editorial Board Member, the Olympian newspaper, 1997.
- 2004 Co-Chair, Olympians for a Livable Community – campaign to fund City’s Parks and Sidewalks Plans.
- Honoree, 40 under 40, Puget Sound Business Examiner, 2004.
Joe currently enjoys climbing, backpacking, skiing, traveling, community service, and reading and writing. He is building an extensive rare book collection, and enjoying the walkability of living and working in the core of our community … Downtown Olympia, of course.
In the Summer of 2004, a vacancy opened on the Olympia City Council, and Joe applied to further his interest in livable cities and community service. He was appointed by the City Council to Position 7 in August of 2004 and elected by the voters of Olympia to a full four year term in 2005.
Current Council/Intergovernmental Assignments
- Finance Committee (Chair)
- Capital Lake Adaptive Management Plan Steering Committee (CLAMP)
- EMSS (Medic One) Board
- Thurston County Solid Waste Advisory Committee
- Team City Hall - City Council rep
Priorities as Councilmember and Special Areas of Interest
- The Environment – Clean air and water, open spaces, wilderness preservation, not just us.
- Youth – Leadership and work skills development, a strong, lifelong education commitment, engaging youth in government and civic involvement, promoting community service.
- Livable Communities – Parks, Sidewalks, Open Spaces … a vibrant arts scene, a diverse and healthy community … all these things are what make Olympia our home, and it is not enough to maintain what we have, we need to strive to make it better.
- Economic Development – is about far more than just growth. It’s about creating diversity, complexity, and a system that provides opportunity and hope for all. Sustainability must be a core value, and we must begin to look past the next year, and instead focus on developing an economy for the next generation. Small, local businesses that reflect our spirit of individuality and entrepreneurship should be cherished and promoted.
- Seniors – Just as we must ensure a future for the generations to come, we must also honor those that came before us, and ensure opportunities, activities, and more for our growing senior population.
- Downtown/Historic Preservation – We live in one of Olympia’s oldest communities, and oldest downtowns, in the state. We must work to preserve and remember our history, because it helps us remember what we are doing today … creating a new history for future generations. When we strive to enhance our community, we should work not just to create a past, but rather to create a true, vibrant history. Knowing our history helps us create the best possible one for future generations.
The City of Olympia is committed to the non-discriminatory treatment of all persons
in employment and the delivery of services and resources.
City of Olympia, Washington
PO Box 1967
Olympia, WA 98507-1967