Pierce County Council opened its 2013 work on Tuesday, Jan. 15, by welcoming the return of one member and adding three new faces.

Joyce McDonald (District 2) took the oath of office after winning a second four-year term last November. The Council then elected her as chair for the second consecutive year. The Council also selected Rick Talbert (District 5) as vice chair and Stan Flemming (District 7) as executive pro tem.

The new members who joined the Council on Tuesday include the following:

Jim McCune (District 3): He served nine years in the Washington State House of Representatives. He has spent 44 years as a small-business owner providing Copper River salmon products. McCune is a member of Eatonville and Graham business groups, as well as Backcountry Horsemen of Washington and Sons of the American Legion. He lives in Graham with his three sons;

Connie Ladenburg (District 4): She served eight years on Tacoma City Council and two in the state House. She has a long history of community involvement, including service as a founding member of the Alliance for Youth of Pierce County, Tacoma 360, and Community in Schools of Tacoma. She and her husband, John, the former County Executive, have five children and 11 grandchildren;

Doug Richardson (District 6): He served on Lakewood City Council from 1995 until this month, including four terms as Mayor. A Massachusetts native, Richardson came to the area while serving with the 2nd Ranger Battalion. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a brigadier general after 32 years of active and reserve service. He and his wife Charlene have two adult children.

More information is available online at piercecountywa.org/council.