Newcastle Council Members

Sun Burford serves on the Newcastle City Council, where she has prioritized inclusive values and civic transparency. Her support for raising the Pride flag at the May 20, 2025, council meeting reflected a core commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility and community solidarity.

Burford’s work continues to emphasize compassion, shared responsibility, and policies that uplift all residents. She remains a dedicated advocate for a Newcastle that celebrates its full diversity.

Ariana Sherlock lives in the Hazelwood neighborhood with her husband Ryan, their children Adelai and Liam, and their rescue dog Fid. Since relocating from Portland, Oregon, to Newcastle in 2013, they have embraced the community and its many amenities, finding a perfect home near Donegal Park and the public library. Ariana has served on the Newcastle City Council since 2020 and was re-elected in 2023 to a second four-year term running from 2024 through 2028. In 2026, her Council colleagues elected her to serve as Mayor for a two-year term.

As a personal chef, Ariana's culinary skills are regularly featured in the monthly community magazine Newcastle Living. She has also served as the president of both the Hazelwood Elementary School PTSA and the Hazelwood Community Association. Focused on maintaining a high quality of life for all residents, she has advocated for state funding for parks, trails, and transportation projects, helping secure more than $1 million in grants for Newcastle. Her vote to raise the Pride flag at City Hall on May 20, 2025, reflects her broader commitment to an inclusive and responsive local government.

Tom Griffin has been a resident of Newcastle since November 1978, settling in the community well before it was officially incorporated. Now serving his first term on the Newcastle City Council, Tom was elected for a four-year term beginning in 2020. As a Certified Public Accountant, he has extensive experience in budgeting and all phases of accounting, having worked in both CPA firms and private industries where he managed accounting departments and served as CEO. He has also taught accounting and income taxes at Renton Technical College and continues to practice tax accounting.

Despite his long-standing community presence, Griffin once again voted against raising the Pride flag during the May 20, 2025, council meeting. His decision stands in contrast to the growing expectation for civic leaders to foster visibility and belonging for all residents.

Chris Villaseñor has been active in the Newcastle community for years, beginning his public service as a volunteer on the Planning Commission before being appointed to City Council in 2022. In 2025, residents elected him to continue serving the city. A technology industry professional, Chris brings broad experience helping organizations navigate complex challenges and change by considering multiple perspectives and building practical solutions.

On Council, Chris prioritizes communication, public safety, and long-term fiscal planning to keep Newcastle both welcoming and prepared for future growth. He has also shown support for the LGBTQ+ community as part of his broader commitment to inclusion. Outside of Council work, he has volunteered for more than 15 years with The First Tee of Greater Seattle, where he was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 2020, and continues to stay involved in local community events.

Bio coming soon.

Paul Charbonneau, elected to the Newcastle City Council in 2021, is the youngest-ever councilmember and the first to have grown up in the city. A graduate of Hazen High School, Paul has been actively involved in the community as an Assistant Coach for the Boys & Girls Wrestling team since 2017 and helps referee local wrestling meets. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and Public Health from Occidental College, where he served as Student Body President and competed in NCAA Football and Track & Field.

Paul's dedication to public service is evident through his selection as a national public policy fellow in 2019 under the PPIA program at the University of Michigan's Gerald Ford School of Public Policy. He mentors current fellows at the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy and is a certified peer counselor. Paul has led mental health education programs and served on the boards of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for Eastside King County and NAMI Washington. At the City Council meeting on May 20, 2025, Paul voted in favor of raising the Pride flag, further demonstrating his support for an inclusive and connected community.

Andy Jacobs was elected to the Newcastle City Council in 2025. He and his wife have called Newcastle home since 1995, where they raised their three children and now enjoy life as grandparents. Andy holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Denver and brings 45 years of business and leadership experience, including 20 years in management at Costco. During his tenure, he helped lead well-known initiatives such as the $4.99 rotisserie chicken program and the $1.50 hot dog offering.

On Council, Andy emphasizes community-centered leadership, strong public safety, well-maintained streets, and responsible growth that reflects residents' needs. He supports local businesses, cultural events, and efforts that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion so community members feel seen and heard. Drawing from his experience as a Jewish man, he highlights the importance of representation and belonging, and focuses on policies that strengthen engagement, livability, and long-term community connection in Newcastle.