BIOGRAPHY
Prior to being elected to the Yakima City Council, Coffey served in the hospitality industry for over 30 years.  Before returning to her hometown of Yakima, Coffey was in California where she worked for the Red Lion/Thunderbird Inns as Regional Director of Sales overseeing sales activity for their hotels in five western states.  Most recently, she retired from her 19 year position as President and CEO of the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau and General Manager of the Yakima Convention Center.  During her time at the Convention Bureau/Center, she was responsible for implementing legislation for the Public Facilities District, leading the Convention Center through two expansions, creating the new Visitor Information Center, and forming a Sports Commission.  Coffey also served as the Governor appointee to the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Committee, was President of the Washington Association of Convention and Visitor Bureau’s, Co-Chair of the Washington State Tourism Coalition, more recently was appointed by Governor Gregoire to the nine person Board of Directors of the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, and served on several other boards and commissions.

email: (kathy_coffey@ci.yakima.wa.us)