Pullman Public Works Director Resigns

Frank Mulcahy will leave the post at the end of January for a civilian federal government job.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in People

A quiet municipal public works yard with parked utility trucks and a low brick shed, backed by wheat fields under a wide sky. — Pullman Public Works Director Frank Mulcahy will leave his post at the end of January for a federal civilian job, City Administrator Sean Wells said. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Pullman Public Works Director Frank Mulcahy has submitted his resignation notice to the City of Pullman, according to City Administrator Sean Wells. Mulcahy served in the position for less than a year before departing.

Why it matters

The departure opens the city's public works leadership role again, requiring a new search for a director. It marks the city's fourth public works director since 2021, highlighting ongoing turnover in the position.

Mulcahy's tenure lasted less than one year after his December hire, and his replacement will be the city's fourth public works director since 2021. The source does not specify the search timeline or recruitment costs.

The players

Frank Mulcahy

Frank Mulcahy is a former Naval officer who served as Pullman's Public Works Director before accepting a civilian job with the federal government.

Sean Wells

Sean Wells is the City Administrator for Pullman who confirmed the resignation to Pullman Radio News.

The details

Mulcahy was a Naval officer before joining the City of Pullman and will leave the position at the end of January. City Administrator Sean Wells confirmed the resignation to Pullman Radio News, and the city plans to hire a recruitment firm to assist a nationwide search.

December 2025: Frank Mulcahy was hired as Public Works Director.
End of January 2027: Mulcahy's departure from the position takes effect.

Leadership Turnover

The resignation continues a pattern of frequent turnover in Pullman's public works director position, with this being the city's fourth director since 2021. The city's upcoming nationwide search will need to address this recurring vacancy problem.

Residents will see a change in public works leadership at the end of January when Mulcahy departs. The city's ongoing search will determine who oversees local infrastructure services going forward.

The takeaway

Frequent leadership turnover in key municipal roles signals the importance of stable hiring and retention practices for city departments. Residents can track the search outcome as it will shape local public works priorities.

What happens next

The City of Pullman will hire a recruitment firm and begin a nationwide search for the next public works director, with Mulcahy's departure set for the end of January.