University Place Mayor Pro Tem Javier Figueroa and Pierce County Councilmember Derek Young have been elected to lead the Rainier Communications Commission, which advises local jurisdictions on telecommunications issues and televises local government programming.

Figueroa, who serves as the RCC president, holds several leadership positions with the city, including deputy mayor and member of the City Council’s U.S. Open Task Force. He has 30 years of experience in real estate asset management. He is an Army veteran, a certified arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau and a gubernatorial appointee to the State Council on Aging.

“The Rainier Communications Commission provides an influential voice for local jurisdictions as the cable industry and the federal government discuss access to the rights of way in our communities,” Figueroa said. “We are committed to promoting community interests in telecommunications, especially in matters involving the siting of towers and other infrastructure.”

Young was elected vice president of the RCC. He previously served 16 years on the Gig Harbor City Council, which included stints as a member of the Pierce County Regional Council, the Puget Sound Regional Council and the Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners.

“Besides the important telecommunications policy work, the RCC also adds transparency to local government by televising local meetings and events, and by telling award-winning stories about local people and places,” Young said.

The Rainier Communications Commission consists of elected or appointed officials representing Pierce County and the cities of Sumner, Orting, Puyallup, Fife, DuPont, University Place, Ruston, Steilacoom and Carbonado. The City of Tacoma is a partner.

The RCC oversees Pierce County TV and other channels that air meetings and other programming for jurisdictions, agencies and schools. PCTV is available on channel 22 on Comcast Cable, 22/522 HD on Click! Cable TV, and channel 20 on Rainier Connect. Programming is available on demand at www.piercecountytv.org and on the PCTV mobile app.