Meet Deb Wallace
Deb Wallace has provided leadership, produced results and worked to foster a greater sense of community in Clark County for over 20 years.
Currently serving her third term as our elected State Representative for the 17th district, Deb Wallace has provided leadership, produced results and worked to foster a greater sense of community in the City of Vancouver and Clark County for over 20 years.
Deb is currently the Chair of the House Higher Education Committee, and a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education; the Transportation Committee; and the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee. In her first term as State Representative, Deb served as Assistant Majority Whip. She has also served as Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee, as well as a member of the Technology, Energy and Communications Committee; and the Economic Development, Agriculture and Trade Committee.
With her solid experience in business and government, Deb takes a common sense approach on issues. Deb is an economic development professional with transportation experience. She knows we must keep Washington moving forward to remain economically competitive.
A former local Girl Scouts Leader, Deb worked with girls and young women in her community and mentored other girls, encouraging values, building self-esteem and teaching them to work together. Recognizing her years of work on behalf of the young people in our community, the Girl Scouts selected Deb for the Girl Scouts Volunteer Award.
Deb Wallace is committed to strengthening our community. In 1998, Deb represented Vancouver as a national delegate to Neighborhoods USA. When she and her family first moved to Vancouver, Deb founded the Airport Green Neighborhood Association around her kitchen table, a group devoted to developing community enhancements. She also served as its first President, working with her neighbors to receive city funding to build the park their neighborhood desired.
The Wallace family sign waving. Deb and her husband, Retired Air Force Lt. Col. John Wallace with their daughter Andrea, son Matt, and family dog, Maggie.
While Deb has taken an active role in the improvement of our community, she has brought that same interest to her career. Deb is the former Director of Business Expansion for the Columbia River Economic Development Council where she helped local business grow and expand. Deb served as a manager at the Washington State Department of Transportation, addressing critical transportation issues and understanding the need for results, and accountability to the public.
Prior to joining the Washington State Department of Transportation, Deb was the Director of Planning & Development for C-Tran, where she oversaw for the development of the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center.
Deb also served as Government Affairs Director for the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. In that position, she worked to balance business and environmental issues, and was instrumental in the development of local growth management ordinances.
Born and raised in Washington State, Deb is a graduate of Juanita High School and earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Washington University. Deb and her husband, Retired Lt. Col. John Wallace, a former air rescue navigator for the U.S. Air Force, have been married for 28 years. They have two children who both attend college in Washington State.