Jill Guernsey

Jill Guernsey brings to the board a deep expertise on regional politics, land-use planning and law.

Ms. Guernsey served as mayor of the City of Gig Harbor — the home of Heron’s Key — from 2014 to 2017. Earlier she served on the City Council and was a long-time member of the city’s Planning Commission. She was an early supporter of the development of Heron’s Key and remains a strong advocate for the community.

Professionally, Ms. Guernsey’s three-decade career in law included serving as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Civil Division. She held that position for more than 25 years, before her retirement in 2016. Earlier in her career, she served as Legal Counsel to the Pierce County Executive and as Chief Civil Deputy in the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.

She was a member of the Washington State Bar Association for 37 years, and was President of the Environmental and Land Use Section. She also served on the National Board of Trustees of American Inns of Court, and was president of the Tacoma Chapter of the American Inns of Court. Her extensive community service includes serving on the boards of Peninsula School District, Gig Harbor Waterfront Alliance and Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development Board. She is an active member of Rotary Club of Gig Harbor and serves on the board of Cars4Change.

Ms. Guernsey earned her bachelor’s degree from University of California, Irvine, and her law degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.