Gestin Suttle announced plans to step down as executive director of Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery to accept a position as the public relations coordinator for the YWCA Seattle/King/Snohomish.

Her last official day will be March 31. She has been at FISH for 8 years.

“Gestin did an outstanding job at FISH,” said Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger, who also the FISH board president. “She was an excellent communicator of FISH’s mission and vision.”

Suttle kept the non-profit on solid financial ground in one of the area’s worst recession, Frisinger said.

In addition to having good finances, it’s a good time for Suttle to leave because FISH is also in period of stability with the Celina Steiger about to celebrate her fourth year as our education coordinator and with Beverly Lee firmly beside her as a volunteer coordinator, Suttle said.

FISH is looking for a new executive director and those interested in applying are advised to go to the organization’s website.

“While it is difficult to leave, I am confident that FISH will continue to prosper and will remain the center of the Issaquah universe,” Suttle said. “As I’ve said many times before, this community is so fortunate to have so many caring individuals willing to step up to maintain this important organization and hatchery. It’s been an absolute honor to be a part of this great team.”