Mason EDC Announces Executive Director Transition

The Mason County Economic Development Council announced Friday that Executive Director Kevin Shutty will resign from his position at the end of August after accepting a new position outside the organization.

The Mason EDC board of directors appointed Karin Leaf as interim executive director. Currently business development manager, she has more than 10 years of experience at EDC and will ensure the community continues to receive a high level of service, according to a news release.

In a LinkedIn post on Saturday, Shutty said he’s not going too far away in his next role and will have more to say on where he’s headed in the coming weeks. He said Friday’s news “is not just about me, it’s about celebrating the team at the EDC and their good work.”

Shutty — who became executive director in mid-2024 and served as a Mason County commissioner from 2017-24 — led Mason EDC during a period of significant growth for the organization, expanding its role in supporting local businesses, advancing regional economic-development priorities, and building partnerships throughout Mason County and the region, Friday’s release said.

The organization also launched the Mason County Childcare Coalition, secured federal funding for the Market-Ready Mason initiative, and continued advancing infrastructure, workforce, business development, and other issues. In Mason EDC’s monthly newsletter last week ahead of the organization’s annual member appreciation event on Aug. 20 to reflect on work of the past year, Shutty said EDC served more than 130 businesses, helped create and retain more than 100 jobs, and supported $33 million in private investment.

He also noted in the newsletter that Mason EDC this summer partnered with Thurston EDC to conduct an economic impact study to measure the economic and fiscal impact of Mason EDC’s operations during the 2025–26 fiscal year.

“I am proud to report that for every $1 invested in Mason EDC, we generate a $7.63 return on investment,” he wrote. “This represents more than $4 million in economic output and provides a valuable baseline as we continue to expand our services, support local businesses, and compete for jobs, housing, and opportunity regionally and statewide.”

In Friday’s release, Mason EDC board Chair Kelsie Rudnick said, “This is an important transition for Mason EDC, and the board is grateful for Kevin’s leadership and service to our organization and community. Kevin has helped strengthen Mason EDC’s partnerships, expand its capacity, and position the organization for continued success. We appreciate his commitment to Mason County and the foundation he has helped build.”

Shutty added in a statement, “It has been a privilege to lead the EDC, and I am proud of what our team has accomplished together and grateful for the opportunity to serve Mason County in this role. The EDC has a strong team, committed board, and broad network of community partners. I am confident the organization is well positioned for its next chapter, and I will work closely with the board and staff over the coming weeks to support an orderly transition.”

Before serving as a county commissioner, Shutty worked as a public information officer for the Washington State House Republicans from 2014-16, and before that was a legislative assistant in the House for two years. He also worked as the Kitsap County coordinator in 2012 for Drew MacEwen’s successful run for the state House of Representatives, 35th District, where MacEwen served 10 years before transitioning to the state Senate in 2023, where the Shelton Republican represents Mason County, and parts of Kitsap and Thurston counties and is Senate deputy Republican leader. Shutty also has been a part-time adjunct faculty member at Olympic College since 2020 teaching American government and state and local government courses, according to LinkedIn.

Shutty was a South Sound Business 40 Under 40 honoree in 2023.

Mason EDC said it will share more information on the transition and executive search as the process develops.