King County Executive Ron Sims has resigned, following being sworn in as deputy secretary of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C., in the Obama administration.

By Executive Order, Sims’ Chief of Staff Kurt Triplett has been designated interim county executive.

“I am honored and humbled to follow Ron and will work to carry forward his tremendous legacy of service to King County residents,” said Triplett. “I look forward to working in partnership with county staff as we continue to provide the world class government our residents expect and deserve.”

Triplett has spent 17 years in leadership, policy development and management roles in King County government, both in the executive branch and on the legislative side. He has served as deputy director of King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks, senior legislative assistant to King County Councilwoman Cynthia Sullivan and was a legislative aide to State Rep. Judy Roland.

As deputy chief of Staff for two years when Sims first took office and most recently as chief of staff since July 2003, he has been Sims’ chief budget negotiator and lead policy adviser.

Triplett earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Stanford University and his master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

On May 18, the Metropolitan King County Council will appoint a successor to serve until the certification of the Nov. 3 general election for King County Executive. Certification is scheduled to take place in late November.