The Clark County Council will soon feature a full five member board in May as Gov. Jay Inslee announced the appointment of Richard “Dick” Rylander on Friday.
Rylander, a pharmaceutical executive and state committeeman for the Clark County Republican Party, was one of three names forwarded to the governor’s office by the Clark County Council to fill the district 5 vacancy that represents North Clark County. Rylander was chosen by Clark County Chair Karen Bowerman alongside Thomas Schenk, a former criminal investigator and U.S. Customs Service special agent from Yacolt; and Peter Silliman, a telecommunications business owner from La Center.
Rylander was originally selected by councilor Gary Medvigy for appointment following interviews of all three candidates on March 29. The motion failed in a deadlock vote of 2-2, after which the council successfully moved to leave it up to the governor.
Rylander will be sworn in by County Clerk Scott Weber at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3 prior to the 10 a.m. council meeting.
Since 2014, Rylander has served as president of BioPharmaceutical Strategies LLC, a release from the county stated. Since 2016, he has volunteered as the executive in residence at Oregon Health and Science University where he assists researchers, physicians and faculty in assessing the commercialization potential for medical technologies.
Rylander has served on the Clark County Clean Water Commission and as a board member on the Meadow Glade Neighborhood Association, the release stated.
Bowerman thanked Inslee for a quick turnaround on the appointment, which was originally expected to happen on May 1 at the earliest.
“Dick brings to the council strong involvement that is already developed with district 5 and keen interest in resident engagement. His professional background shows data and technical experience which is reflected in extensive volunteer service in Clark County,” Bowerman said in the release.
Rylander will take the seat vacated by former council chair Eileen Quiring O’Brien who resigned in March.
District 5 represents North Clark County including Battle Ground, La Center, Ridgefield and Yacolt. The seat is up for election this year.
