Former Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is now CEO of startup Filium

Former Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has entered the private sector.

Filium, a Seattle-based sustainable textile startup founded in 2015 as Ably, hired Harrell as its CEO, according to a Wednesday news release. Harrell will succeed the company's founder, Raj Shah.

Harrell will also serve on the company's corporate board as a general counsel, according to Filium's website.

The company says it develops technology to make cotton and other textile materials water-repellent and odor-resistant, while eschewing what it calls forever chemicals" found in popular synthetic-based apparel that do the same.

"I am honored to step into this leadership role at such an exciting moment for the company and the industry," Harrell said in the news release. "Consumers and global brands are demanding products that perform at the highest level while reflecting modern environmental and wellness values, and Filium is uniquely positioned to help lead that evolution."

Filium said its technology has been featured in product lines from Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, O'Neill and The North Face.

Harrell is stepping into the role after serving as Seattle mayor for one term. He was elected in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, he was on the Seattle City Council from 2008 through 2020 and chose not to run for reelection in 2019.

He's also served as a managing partner for the firm Harrell, Connell, Cordova, Hunter & Pauley and an attorney for Kutak Rock National Law Firm, according to his LinkedIn.

He lost his mayoral reelection last year to Katie Wilson, a longtime City Hall advocate and co-founder of the Transit Riders Union, who had never held public office before.

Filium President Doug Lynch said in a news release that over the past several weeks, he had seen firsthand Harrell's "commitment to collaboration, innovation, and performance excellence. His leadership will be instrumental as Filium scales its global growth strategy.

In addition to the corporate board, Filium created an executive advisory board filled with retail veterans, including former PUMA CEO Bob Philion and former Nordstrom Rack President Laurie Black.

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