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Tulare County’s Michael Washam Named Local Economic Development Champion by CALED
May 15, 2025
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The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) has recognized Michael Washam, Associate Director of the Tulare County Resource Management Agency (RMA), as a 2025 Local Economic Development Champion. The award, presented at CALED’s Annual Conference in Ontario, California, celebrates Washam’s long-standing leadership in economic development, planning, and regional growth throughout California’s Central Valley.
With more than 15 years of public service, Washam has led transformative efforts to attract investment, remove barriers to growth, and elevate rural communities. From streamlining land use and permitting policy, reducing permitting timelines to as little as 4–6 weeks, to establishing a solar project program that now generates more than $1 million annually for the County’s general fund, his impact has been measurable and far-reaching.
Over the past 15 years, Washam has also helped bring numerous businesses to the region, including new Dollar General stores, McDonald’s restaurants, and health clinics—delivering essential goods, services, and jobs to areas that had seen little to no development in decades. This economic activity has unfolded at an unprecedented pace across Tulare County’s unincorporated communities, aligning with significant population growth. Tulare County’s population now approaches 500,000 residents, up from approximately 312,000 in 1990, underscoring the importance of Washam’s leadership in guiding responsible, inclusive development.
In addition to supporting new investment, Washam has helped local startups scale into lucrative operations, including Streamline Irrigation near Kingsburg and Greentek near Dinuba. He has also remained a steady partner to established employers like Setton Pistachios and the region’s top-producing dairy sector, ensuring both new and legacy businesses thrive in Tulare County’s evolving economy.
“Mike has done more than plan—he’s executed real change,” said Reed Schenke, Director of the RMA. “He helped shift the County from a planner-first mindset to an economic development-first agency—one that delivers for businesses and communities alike.”
With Schenke and RMA leadership, Washam successfully rebranded the planning and economic development divisions into a unified team now known as the RMA Economic Development & Planning Branch, which he oversees with Assistant Director of Economic Development and Planning, Aaron Bock.
Under Washam’s leadership, the County launched the GROW Tulare County initiative to connect businesses to resources and streamline development. Most recently, Washam relaunched the County’s tourism strategy under the Discover Tulare County brand, reinforcing the importance of regional identity and economic storytelling. His work spans industries, from agriculture and healthcare to education, workforce, and the creative sectors, intentionally building bridges across disciplines.
Washam also led the County’s distribution of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to chambers and cities, prioritizing small business recovery in areas hardest hit by the pandemic. His balanced focus on both large-scale infrastructure and grassroots entrepreneurship has set a high standard for rural economic leadership.
Beyond strategy, Washam is a trusted mentor and talent builder. He helped launch the careers of numerous local leaders, including Kings County CAO Kyria Martinez and Workforce Director Julieta Martinez. As a team leader, he cultivates autonomy and creativity while staying engaged in complex project work.
“People often say Mike is the kind of leader who finds a path to success—a way to say yes where possible,” said Alida Verduzco Silva, Economic Development Manager for the County of Tulare. “That’s why he’s trusted not just here in Tulare County, but across the state.”
In addition to overseeing local economic development, Washam’s portfolio includes land use, planning, grants and resources, and forest health. Currently, Washam represents the County of Tulare on matters related to the State of California’s California Jobs First initiative, set to secure more funding opportunities for business expansion in the Central Valley. He also serves on the board of the Team California Economic Development Corporation and works closely with the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation, helping ensure alignment across regional, state, and local partners. Washam works in close collaboration with the Tulare County Board of Supervisors, helping to carry out their vision for strategic growth, rural prosperity, and long-term sustainability across the region.
For a region that spans nearly 5,000 square miles and includes over 40 unincorporated communities, Washam’s leadership ensures that rural voices are not only heard but also empowered. And there’s no sign of slowing down. In the last year, Washam has bulked up his Economic Development Office, which is now fully staffed to continue the momentum, working closely across departments and with Tulare County’s eight cities and more than 40 unincorporated communities.
To learn more about the Tulare County Resource Management Agency, please visit https://tularecounty.ca.gov/rma/. For more information about the GROW Tulare County initiative, please visit https://www.growtularecounty.org/. For questions or to book media time with Mr. Washam, please contact economicdevelopment@tularecounty.ca.gov.
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