The Pierce County Council opened its 2013 work on Tuesday by welcoming the return of one member and adding three new faces.

Joyce McDonald (District 2) took the oath of office after winning a second four-year term last November. The Council then elected her as chair for the second consecutive year. The Council also selected Rick Talbert (District 5) as vice chair and Stan Flemming (District 7) as executive pro tem.

“I am honored by the opportunity to continue serving my district, this Council, and the whole county,” McDonald said. “We have made a lot of tough decisions over the past four years in order to protect public safety and other priority services. I look forward to working with our three new members as we continue to scrutinize county programs and spending to make sure we are delivering public services efficiently and effectively.”

Here is a glance at the new members who joined the Council on Tuesday:

Jim McCune (District 3): He served nine years in the Washington State House of Representatives. He has spent 44 years as a small-business owner providing Copper River salmon products. McCune is a member of Eatonville and Graham business groups, as well as Backcountry Horsemen of Washington and Sons of the American Legion. He lives in Graham with his three sons.

Connie Ladenburg (District 4): She served eight years on the Tacoma City Council and two in the state House. She has a long history of community involvement, including service as a founding member of the Alliance for Youth of Pierce County, Tacoma 360, and Community in Schools of Tacoma. She and her husband John, the former County Executive, have five children and 11 grandchildren.

Doug Richardson (District 6): He served on the Lakewood City Council from 1995 until this month, including four terms as Mayor. A Massachusetts native, Richardson came to the area while serving with the 2nd Ranger Battalion. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a brigadier general after 32 years of active and reserve service. He and his wife Charlene have two adult children.