LAPUSH — Bill Peach is no longer the executive director of the Quileute tribe.
Jackie Jacobs, tribal spokeswoman, confirmed Friday that Peach is no longer in the position he has held since June 2009.
“It’s my understanding that he is no longer the executive director,” said Jacobs.
She had no details about the circumstances of Peach’s leaving the position.
Peach, 55, could not be reached for comment.
Bonita Cleveland, tribal chairwoman, also could not be reached for comment Friday.
Peach, who ran unsuccessfully for Clallam County commissioner in 2010, was hired as executive director of the tribe after he retired from Rayonier in 2009.
When he retired after a 26-year career, he was the regional manager of the 200,000-acre Clallam Timber and Land Division for Rayonier.
His assignments for Rayonier also included business development in New Zealand and Australia.
In 2010, Peach challenged Democratic incumbent Mike Doherty and fellow Republican Robin V. Poole to represent the Clallam County commission’s District 3, an area encompassing the western part of the county.
He lost in the primary election that year. Doherty retained his seat in the November general election.
Peach served in the Army at the end of the Vietnam era. He received a medal for meritorious service, he said.
He earned degrees in civil engineering and forest engineering from Oregon State University and a master’s degree in business administration from City University in Seattle.
As executive director of the Quileute tribe, Peach was responsible for the administration of human resources, natural resources, accounting, human services, a clinic, public utilities, tribal court, police, a store, a marina and a resort.
He had replaced former Executive Director James Jaime, who resigned in 2008. Planning Director Wally Jackson had been acting as interim director.
Peach was chosen from six finalists who were not identified in a statement from the tribe, which declined to state his salary.
He originally moved to Forks in 1983. After assignments in Hoquiam and overseas, he returned to Forks in 1998.
Peach has been married to his wife, Anita, for 38 years.
