King County Executive Dow Constantine has named Gene Mueller, the administrator of Chicago’s largest critical-care veterinary hospital, as the new manager of Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC).

“Gene brings a strong record of building partnerships with animal welfare groups, as well as experience leading a major metropolitan humane society and running a large veterinary hospital,” said Executive Constantine. “I look forward to bringing his experience to bear to build on the success we’ve had with our new regional model that has transformed animal care in King County.”

Mueller most recently led the Chicago Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center, and served as president of the Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago, where he directed fundraising and managed a team of more than 100 employees and 400 volunteers. Mueller also has experience in the public sector, heading up the Commission on Animal Care and Control for the City of Chicago.

He holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He began his career as a veterinarian in the Chicago suburb of Wilmette, Ill.

Mueller also looks forward to expanding upon the strong alliances between RASKC and other animal welfare organizations in the Puget Sound region.

Mueller replaces interim manager Glynis Frederiksen, who will return to her role as operations manager for the King County Pet Adoption Center in Kent.