Gov. Gregoire appoints new director of Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs

For Immediate Release: October 26, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the appointment of Kendee Yamaguchi as the executive director of the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. Yamaguchi is a third generation Japanese American born and raised in Washington.

�I am confident Kendee�s broad range of experience will serve this commission well,� Gregoire said. �She is an emerging leader who brings a solid record of legislative, legal, management and communications experience to the position. I know she will build and nurture strong relationships to ensure the needs of our Asian Pacific American communities are met.�

�I am honored to be selected to serve the people of Washington. Our communities thrive when the doors of opportunity are open for all,� Yamaguchi said. �I look forward to working with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in furthering our state's efforts toward making that a reality.�

Yamaguchi was a director in the Office of Management and Administration at the White House. Prior to this position, she worked in the Office of Public Liaison on the signing of the executive order establishing the President�s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She has experience working as a television executive and a staff member in the Legislature. More recently, she worked as an attorney in private practice.

Yamaguchi earned a bachelor�s degree in political science and public communications with a minor in international affairs from American University. Yamaguchi also earned a juris doctorate from the Seattle University School of Law.

Yamaguchi�s appointment is effective Nov. 2nd. Her salary will be $79,464.