Gov. Gregoire announces boards and commissions appointments

For Immediate Release: August 19, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced appointments to the following boards and commissions:

Board of Tax Appeals:

Stephen L. Johnson of Kent has been appointed to a term effective May 1, 2009, ending Feb. 28, 2015. Johnson is an attorney and a member of the Washington State Bar Association, and was formerly a member of the city of Kent�s school and library boards.

The board hears appeals and issues decisions involving appeals from people harmed by the actions of the 39 county boards of equalization, or the departments of Revenue or Natural Resources.


Western Washington University Board of Trustees:

Betti Fujikado of Seattle has been appointed to a term effective May 20, 2009, ending Sept. 30, 2012. Fujikado is co-founder of Copacino+Fujikado, LLC. She has been involved with several organizations, including the Seattle Children�s Theatre, Seattle Art Museum, The United Way of King County and Western Washington University Foundation.

The board is the governing body of the university.


Collection Agency Board:

Araceli Lamb of Pasco has been appointed to a term effective May 29, 2009, ending Dec. 31, 2012. Lamb is the operations manager and vice president of Washington Collectors Tri-Cities, Inc. She is serving as the convention chair of the Washington Collectors Association.

The board regulates collection agencies in the state, holds disciplinary hearings, and recommends and adopts rules and regulations for administering the regulatory law.


Examining Board of Psychology:

Marvin Harmon of Olympia has been appointed as a general public member to a term effective May 18, 2009, ending Jan. 6, 2012. Harmon is a field supervisor for City University of Seattle.

The board examines candidates for licensure, and is authorized to deny, revoke, suspend or restrict licenses for specified conduct.


Forensic Investigations Council:

Michael Kessler of Connell has been appointed to a term effective May 4, 2009, ending Oct. 10, 2010. Kessler is chief of police for the city of Connell, and was a commander in the Colville Tribal Police Department. He was formerly chairman of the advisory board of the Tonasket Emergency Medical Services District.

The council oversees the state toxicology laboratory at the University of Washington, studies and recommends improvements in the death investigation system, and reports findings to the Legislature.


State Advisory Council on Homelessness:

Bruce Shellhamer of Burlington has been appointed to a term effective May 29, 2009, ending Jan. 4, 2012. Shellhamer is the lead pastor of Crossroads Covenant Church. He is involved with the Kiwanis Club of Burlington, North Pacific Conference Ministerium and Evangelical Covenant Church Ministerium. He also serves on the Child Protective Team of Skagit County, Skagit County Homeless Coalition and Skagit County Interagency Task Force Against Domestic Violence.

John Lilienthal of Spokane has been appointed to a term effective May 29, 2009, ending Jan. 4, 2013. Lilienthal is a program manager for Goodwill Industries of the Inland Empire. He has served on the board of directors of the National Rehabilitation Association and is a member of the Western Correctional Association. He also serves on the leadership team of the Spokane Homeless Coalition.

The council makes annual policy recommendations to the governor and the Affordable Housing Board on ways to enhance the state�s ability to respond to the needs of people who are homeless, who are at risk of being homeless or who have been homeless.


State Convention and Trade Center Board of Directors:

Harry Sladich of Spokane has been appointed to a term effective May 5, 2009, ending May 17, 2012. Sladich is the president and chief executive officer of the Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau. Sladich is also on the Washington Filmworks Board, and is the board chair of the Spokane Boys & Girls Club.

The board is a public, non-profit corporation formed for the purpose of constructing and operating a state convention and trade center in Seattle.


Washington Commission on National and Community Service:

Monica Brummer of Chehalis has been appointed to a term effective May 12, 2009, ending Feb. 15, 2012. Brummer is the volunteer coordinator for the Centralia Police Department. She is a Community Emergency Response Team member and organizes numerous community organizations.

The commission implements the Federal National and Community Trust Act of 1993, and initiates activities and projects that expand and promote the concept of service beyond the scope of federal resources. The commission also provides leadership and vision with local volunteer organizations, civic and community groups and units of government to make service a part of the lives of all of the citizens of the state.


Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission:

Wallace Volz of Bremerton has been appointed to a term effective May 20, 2009, ending June 30, 2012. Volz is a dentist and has been engaged in private practice for 44 years. He is a member of the Quality Assurance Board of Peninsula Community Health Care, Kitsap County Oral Health Coalition and the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped.

The board regulates the competency and quality of dental professionals by establishing, monitoring and enforcing qualifications for licensure, consistent standards of practice, continuing competency mechanisms and discipline.