Governor Gregoire Announces Appointments to the Veterans Innovation Program Board

For Immediate Release: June 14, 2006

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today announced appointments to the Veterans Innovations Program board.

�The Veterans Innovations Program board has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Washington�s National Guard members who were mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom,� said Governor Gregoire. �The board will develop a program that will make a lasting impact on the lives of our state�s citizen soldiers.�

The seven-member Veterans Innovations Program board was created by House Bill 2754 during the 2006 legislative session. The supplemental operating budget appropriated $2 million to fund the program.

The Veterans Innovations Program is divided into two areas, the Defender�s Fund and the Competitive Grant Program. The board will work with the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs to design and administer the programs, both of which focus on meeting the needs of National Guard and Reserve veterans returning from extended deployments.

�These outstanding Washingtonians have a deep interest in serving our state's veterans and I know they will do a fine job,� said First Gentleman Mike Gregoire, a Vietnam veteran. �I look forward to following their progress as they undertake their new duties.�

Members of the Veterans Innovations Program Board include:

John E. Lee, Director of the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Lee is a Vietnam War veteran and retired Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army. He has worked for the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs for the past fifteen years and is responsible for developing the state�s Memorandum of Understanding to serve Washington�s National Guard and Reserve soldiers when they return home from deployments.

Karen Lee, Director of the Employment Security Department
A West Point graduate, Ms. Lee served in the U.S. Army for five years before attending the University of Washington School of Law and obtaining her law degree. Ms. Lee has initiated a statewide �Hire-A-Vet Challenge� to encourage businesses to hire veterans following their military service.

Colonel Mary J. Forbes, Director of the Human Resources Division and J1, Joint Forces Command, Washington National Guard
Ms. Forbes is a key leader in the statewide partnership for assisting Guard and Reserve personnel transitioning from combat to civilian life.

Charles Earl, Executive director of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Mr. Earl, a three-year U.S. Air Force veteran, served as a Lieutenant on bases within the United States. The State Community and Technical Colleges provide tuition waivers to veterans, the dependents of disabled veterans or veterans killed in the line of duty and also provide veterans assistance with GI Bill benefits.

Sue Mauermann, Deputy director of the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED)
Ms. Mauermann oversees the agency�s key initiatives and manages CTED�s six divisions: community services, local government, housing services, international trade, economic development and energy policy. CTED is the state agency responsible for enhancing and promoting sustainable communities and economic vitality in Washington.

Michael D. Hudson, Executive director of the Institute for Workforce Development and Economic Sustainability, a not-for-profit affiliate of the Association of Washington Business
Mr. Hudson, founder of the Institute for Workforce Development, is a sixteen-year veteran of the U.S. Army and Washington National Guard.

Captain Larry Seaquist of the U.S. Navy (Ret.)
A thirty-two year Navy veteran, Mr. Seaquist is active in Kitsap County veterans� issues, including the Military Committee of the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce.

For additional information on the Veterans Innovations Program, please contact the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs at: 1-800-562-0132.


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