Commissioners & Staff

Queniya Mays has over 19 years of Human Resources experience in various sectors from military, government, non-profit to small businesses. Through her work, Queniya is always most passionate about people and processes - ensuring equity is always at the forefront.  Queniya brings to her Commissioner role a desire to drive and support equity, transparency, accountability and innovation. She obtained her Master's degree in Management & Leadership from WGU. When she is not working, Queniya is spending time with her family and creating lasting memories.

Richard Greene graduated from the University of Washington School of Law in 1983, worked as a law clerk at the Washington Court of Appeals for four years, as a public defender for two years and as an Assistant Seattle City Prosecutor for almost 33 years, serving four City Attorneys.

Tom Applegate was hired as a fire fighter for the Seattle Fire Department in 2016 and has worked primarily in Rainier Valley (Engine 28), but also in the northwest neighborhoods of Seattle (Engine 35). He is currently serving as a fire fighter paramedic.  Tom brings to his commissioner role a desire to champion transparency and accountability for the City’s public safety employment system. He obtained a degree in economics from the University of Washington, and lives in Seattle with his wife and two young children.

Andrea Scheele is the Executive Director of the City's Civil Service Commission and Public Safety Civil Service Commission and leads the CIV department. 

Andrea has worked as an employment and labor attorney and HR professional since 2005. She began working for the City of Seattle in 2014, and joined the civil service commissions since 2019. Andrea lives in West Seattle with her family and when she's not at work, enjoys working in her garden.

Mike began his career in government working as a legislative aide in Washington, DC. He has since served as executive director for Washington State’s Service Employees International Union, and held elective office in the City of Edmonds. Make has an undergraduate degree from George Washington University, and a law degree from Gonzaga University. He enjoys hiking, camping, and travelling with his wife and their two sons.

Sarah is the Civil Service Commissions Operations and Policy Advisor. She began her career at the City in 2003 as an intern for the City Auditor's Office. In her tenure, she has worked on labor relations, legislation, and human resources policy matters. Sarah is committed to equitable processes and standards in government employment to ensure fairness and value to employees, City departments, and the public. She lives in Seattle with her family and two cats; in her spare time enjoys practicing Spanish and writing letters on her 1954 Olympia typewriter.  

Teresa has been with the City of Seattle since 2001. Teresa worked for the Ethics and Elections Commission and worked out of class with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in 2003. She was promoted to the position as Administrative Staff Assistant for the CSC. In 2012 the Civil Service Commission and Public Safety Civil Service Commission combined staff to become the Civil Service Commissions (CIV.) Teresa became the Administrative support for the Executive Director, both commissions, and four hearing officers. She was promoted to Executive Assistant of CIV in 2020. Teresa enjoys working with the diverse employees of the City of Seattle and is committed to working toward achieving equity and enhancing diversity in the work of the Commissions. Teresa is the mother of an adult son in his 30's. She enjoys road trips on her Harley. She has toured Route 66, Sturgis, and Highway 101. Teresa is competitive in powerlifting and holds several World, National, State, first place, and best lifter titles in the Bench Press and deadlift. She is an inductee in her lifting federation's Hall of Fame.