Biography

Larry was born and raised in King County with his two sisters, Sarah and Anne. His parents Margery and the late John Phillips instilled in him a love for learning and an active interest in his community. His father was an architect and United States Naval Officer, serving in the Pacific in WWII, and his mother wrote for the Seattle Times and began their "Home of the Month" feature, called "Northwest Living." He grew up in Mount Baker and Magnolia, where he still lives with his wife Gail, son Brett, and golden retriever Chase.

Larry attended Queen Anne High School and the University of Washington. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Willamette University College of Law, graduating with honors and finishing in the top ten percent of his class. He also earned a Masters of Law degree with emphasis in Labor Law from the George Washington University National Law Center.

Public Service
After graduated from law school, Larry entered public service, moving to Washington, D.C. to work for Senator Henry M. "Scoop"Jackson. His primary staffing responsibilities were labor and tax issues.

Later that year Larry returned to Seattle to run Randy Revelle's campaign for King County Executive. Revelle won the election, and Larry served as his Chief of Staff. He learned about every aspect of King County government as he advised the Executive on all major policy, programmatic, and political decisions. After Revelle left office, Larry served as Executive Director of a 55-member Seattle law firm, Shidler McBroom Gates & Lucas.

Larry's interest in public service never waned, and in 1988 won election to the Washington State House of Representatives. He went to Olympia to represent the 36th Legislative District, where he was a member of the House Education, Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Revenue Committees. He was an author and a prime sponsor of the 1990 Growth Management Act, as well as legislation to prevent oil spills in Puget Sound. He also fought successfully for smaller class sizes in public schools and adequate funding for K-12 education.

Metropolitan King County Council
After serving two terms in the legislature, Larry won his seat on the Metropolitan King County Council to represent District Four. He took on salmon protection, land use and environmental issues, as well as the provision of open space and active parks and recreation for youth and families. He spearheaded the Waterways 2000 program, which identified and acquired over 1,800 acres of prime salmon habitat for preservation. His work as chair of the Regional Water Quality Committee led to the adoption of the Regional Wastewater Services Plan to protect our natural environment and water quality, while allowing economic development to continue within the urban growth area.

Larry also worked to establish the Snoqualmie Preservation Initiative, working with non-profit and private organizations and local officials to protect views of Snoqualmie Falls and preserve acres of forestland. He helped lead the successful effort to acquire the Snoqualmie Forest, preserving over 100,000 acres of prime King County forest lands in perpetuity.

Larry was humbled and honored to be named the 2001 Public Official of the Year by the Municipal League of Seattle for his leadership in protecting and enhancing our quality of life through his work on land preservation and growth management in King County.

In 2002, 2003 and 2008, Larry chaired the Council's Budget Committee, turning his primary focus to preserving vital County services in the face of the budget shortfalls.

In December 2003, Larry's colleagues unanimously elected him Chair of the Council. He was re-elected chair for 2005 and 2006. During his tenure as chair, his responsibilities included setting the agenda for and presiding over weekly council meetings, ensuring the daily work of the council was accomplished, and representing the council on various outside committees.

In 2004, Larry was appointed to the Sound Transit Board of Directors, where he serves as Chair of the Central Link Oversight Committee overseeing the on time, under budget construction of Link light rail from Downtown Seattle to Tukwila. Larry also led successful efforts to pass a regional mass transit expansion package that includes building 36 additional miles of light rail throughout the region.

Larry also serves on several outside committees, including the 4Culture Board, King County's arts and heritage agency, and the Woodland Park Zoo Society Board of Directors. He co-chairs the Cedar River Council, which brings together citizen and government representatives who have an interest in the health of the river and its upper watershed, which supplies drinking water to Seattle, and is a member of the WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council, where citizens, scientists, businesses, environmentalists and governments are cooperating on salmon protection, conservation and restoration projects and plans. He is also on the board of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation.