Constantine to trim personal staff and salaries

King County executive-elect Dow Constantine will have a significantly smaller personal staff and will pay them 10 to 15 percent less than their predecessors, his transition team announced Friday.

Staff members staying on in the executive office will take pay cuts of the same magnitude, Constantine's office said as it named six top aides.

"This is a lean and effective team that combines broad local, regional and state-level experience and contacts, as well as innovative ideas from both the public and private sectors," Constantine said in a statement.

Constantine said his office size will be reduced by more than 15 percent. He will be sworn in 4 p.m. Tuesday at Daniels Recital Hall in downtown Seattle.

He announced his appointment of these managers, who will report to Fred Jarrett, who is resigning from the state Senate to become deputy executive:

• Rhonda Berry, Tukwila city administrator for 19 years and previously an IBM systems engineer, she will be assistant deputy executive.

• Steve Call, who was budget director under former Executive Ron Sims, is coming back as interim budget director.

• Sung Yang, former Seattle City Light chief of staff and aide to Mayor Greg Nickels, will be director of government and labor relations.

• Carrie Cihak, a policy and budget analyst for the Metropolitan King County Council, will be director of strategic initiatives.

• Lorrie McKay, who has been a state and federal relations manager for Sims and Executive Kurt Triplett, will become customer-service director.

• Frank Abe, the County Council's communications director who once held the same post for former Executive Gary Locke, will manage communications for Constantine.

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com