Governance & Administration

Steve Zehnder serves as the Deputy Chief of Operations. In this role, he collaborates with the shift Battalion Chiefs to oversee daily emergency response, preparation activities, and training for the Fire Authority. Zehnder began his career as a firefighter in 1999 with the Auburn Fire Department, now known as VRFA (Valley Regional Fire Authority). He worked as a firefighter for 11 years, serving 8 years as a Medical Program Specialist. He became a shift Captain for 11 years and a shift Battalion Chief for 3.5 years. Most recently, Steve served as the Battalion Chief in Support Services for approximately one year.

His committee involvement includes VRFA Safety, the Joint Apprentice Training Committee (JATC), Uniform Committee, Zone Three Wildland, Auto Extrication, and the Incident Support Team. Zehnder spent five years on VRFA’s Wildland Team and managed the Wildland program as a shift Battalion Chief. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, an Associate of Arts in Fire Science, and an Associate of Arts in Fire Officer degrees.

Tim Day is the Deputy Chief of Community Risk Reduction. Tim oversees Support Services, the Fire Marshal’s Office, Emergency Management, and Public Education and Information. Tim began his fire service career with the City of Auburn in 1996. During his initial 20 years at the City of Auburn and VRFA, Tim worked in multiple operational and administrative roles as a firefighter, Captain, and Battalion Chief, and served as Deputy Chief of Technical Services from 2015 to 2017. Tim then left the VRFA in 2017 for the City of Kirkland where he served as Deputy Chief of Operations for five years before rejoining the VRFA in April 2022. Throughout his career at VRFA and Kirkland, Tim has worked on multiple local and regional committees. Tim has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, a Masters of Public Administration from Seattle University, and completed the Executive Fire Officer Program from the National Fire Academy. Outside of work, Tim enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters.

Chief Financial Officer Mark Horaski oversees the finance, human resources, information technology, risk management and administrative functions.  Mr. Horaski began employment with the VRFA in 2007.  He has over twenty five years of professional experience including several years of public accounting with a regional CPA firm, and public safety budget and finance oversight at the county level.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree in business and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Washington.  Mr. Horaski is an active member and past President of the Auburn Rotary.

Human Resource Director Sarah Borden began working for the VRFA in 2014. She brings years of professional experience in both healthcare and government, having worked in a variety of specialty areas in the human resources field since 2003. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management.