Gov. Gregoire names two new WSU regents

For Immediate Release: December 14, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced she has appointed Ron Sims and attorney Ryan Durkan to the Washington State University board of regents.

�The role of the board of regents is more important now than ever before as the state continues to recover from the national recession,� Gregoire said. �Members must be dedicated to improving our higher education system � and bring innovation and new ideas to the table. I�m confident both Ron and Ryan will serve the university and students well.�

�We greatly appreciate the governor�s careful consideration in adding new members to our board of regents,� said WSU President, Elson Floyd. �A strong board featuring diverse viewpoints is a great asset in our university�s decision-making process, and I am certain that Ron and Ryan will prove to be excellent additions.�

The board of regents is the university�s governing body whose broad responsibilities are to supervise, coordinate, manage and regulate the WSU system, as provided by state statute.

Sims served as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from Feb. 2009 until June 2011. As the second most senior official at HUD, Sims managed its day-to-day operations, a nearly $40 billion annual operating budget and the agency's 8,500 employees. Prior to joining HUD, Sims served as King County Executive, beginning in 1996.

�Ron was among the first elected officials to understand the dynamic changes urban development, clean energy and sustainability would bring to our state and its economy,� Gregoire said. �His expertise in these and many other areas will be an asset as WSU works to give its students the tools to succeed in an ever-changing economy.�

�I am honored to be appointed by Governor Gregoire to the Board of Regents of Washington State University,� Sims said. �I look forward to making a contribution to the amazing work that Washington State University is already doing to prepare graduates for the 21st century economy.�

Durkan is an attorney with HCMP Law Offices and specializes in real estate, land use and environmental law. She graduated from Washington State University in 1978 and served on the Washington State University Foundation board of trustees.

�Ryan has proven she�s passionate about the importance of education � serving on the board of trustees for an elementary school, a middle school and a high school,� Gregoire said. �Her experience improving our education system, combined with her legal background and her commitment to community, make her a natural fit.�

�This is a time of great excitement for Washington State University,� Durkan said. �While there are also significant challenges ahead, I am optimistic about the future of WSU. It will be a great privilege to work with Dr. Floyd and the Board of Regents in the service of my alma mater. Washington State is such a special place, because it creates a unique sense of community and pride. I will be honored to serve the Cougar nation.�