Gov. Gregoire�s statement on Charlie Earl�s retirement

For Immediate Release: April 17, 2012

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement on the announcement that Charlie Earl will be retiring as executive director of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges:

�I am thrilled for Charlie and wish him nothing but the best in retirement, but recognize that Washington state is losing a valuable leader. Charlie played an instrumental role in ensuring the success of our community and technical colleges during the most difficult economic time in decades. As schools faced double-digit reductions, Charlie grew our community and technical college system into one of the finest in the nation with a fantastic reputation and exceptional track record. Despite our budget troubles, Charlie enhanced our education and training programs, ensuring our employers in critical industries like aerospace, technology and life sciences, have the trained workforce necessary to succeed.

�Charlie should be remembered as a passionate advocate for our community and technical college students, who will forever benefit from his leadership and innovation. I thank him for his service to our state, and wish him and his family well in his retirement.�