Erin Hut, Communications Director, ehut@spokanecity.org
Monday, June 15, 2026 at Noon
After 35 years of public service to the City of Spokane, Spokane City Clerk Terri Pfister has announced plans to retire from her role. At the same time, Mayor Lisa Brown has appointed Giacobbe Byrd as her successor, ensuring a smooth transition.
Pfister has served as the City Clerk for 30 years, offering critical administrative support to both the executive and legislative branches through maintaining City Council agendas and minutes, managing and responding to public records requests, and ensuring government transparency. She is the longest serving clerk in the history of Spokane and has shepherded the Council through more than 1,200 meetings.
Pfister earned her Certified Municipal Clerk designation in 1998, her Master Municipal Clerk designation in 2008, and was named “Clerk of the Year” in 2007 by her peers from the Washington Municipal Clerks Association. Pfister was also awarded City of Spokane Manager of the Year in 2014.
“It has been a privilege and honor to serve the City of Spokane and its citizens in the role of City Clerk for the past 30 years. Dealing with public records may not be the most dazzling career, but it is one of utmost importance to foster openness and transparency in government,” Pfister said. “As referenced in a quote by eminent political scientist Professor William Bennett Munro over 75 years ago about the municipal clerk:‘It serves the mayor, the city council…and all administrative departments without exception. All of them call upon it, almost daily, for some service or information. Its work is not spectacular, but it demands versality, alertness, accuracy, and no end of patience.”
“Those who know Terri know she is exceptionally thorough and possesses a remarkable eye for detail. She has been an invaluable asset not only to the City of Spokane as an organization, but also to the public she has served so diligently throughout her career. She has more than earned her retirement and will be deeply missed,” said Mayor Lisa Brown. “At the same time, I am excited to see Giacobbe Byrd step into the big shoes she leaves behind and continue the strong legacy she has built.”
Byrd has served as the Spokane City Council’s Office Director since 2023 and was former Council Member Lori Kinnear’s Legislative Assistant prior to that. Before joining the City Council office, he worked as an investigator for the House Appropriations Surveys and Investigations Unit in Washington, DC. He graduated from Georgetown University, majoring in both Government and English.
“I am forever grateful to the City of Spokane for entrusting me in the City Clerk role, as well as my previous roles with the city, for the past 35 years. I also want to thank the wonderful staff in the City Clerk’s Office for their dedication and hard work through the years. There is no success without your team! I look forward to Giacobbe Byrd taking the helm and wish him success in his new role with the city,” Pfister said.
“Terri and her team have built an office focused on accuracy and responsiveness, and I feel fortunate to be carrying on her legacy as I step in this role. It is unique to have a seamless transition in a position like this, and I look forward to continuing the public service-driven mission she has so intentionally crafted,” Byrd said.
Byrd’s appointment will be introduced to the City Council at the Urban Experience Committee on June 15.
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