November 6, 2026

City of Bellevue

Whipple

Hesselgesser

The city of Bellevue has named Jake Hesselgesser as its new development services director following a competitive hiring process. Hesselgesser, who has worked for the city for more than a decade in a variety of leadership roles, will oversee a department responsible for permitting, inspections, land use and development review, code enforcement, and small business consulting.

City Manager Diane Carlson said Hesselgesser has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to public service, collaboration and innovation. He previously served as Bellevue's building supervisor and business services director before taking on the role of acting department director.

Hesselgesser brings more than 25 years of local government and construction-related experience to the position and holds multiple professional certifications through the International Code Council. Before joining Bellevue, he worked as a senior inspector and plans examiner for Brown & Associates Certified Inspection Service and as a designer for civil engineering firm Willdan.

The city also announced that Nick Whipple will become deputy director later this month. Whipple has 14 years of planning and development experience, including 12 years with Bellevue in roles ranging from planner to assistant director. City officials said the leadership team's combined expertise in development services, planning, permitting and policy will help support Bellevue's continued growth and improve service delivery.