Governor Gregoire Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments

For Immediate Release: December 21, 2006

OLYMPIA - Governor Chris Gregoire today announced appointments to the following boards and commissions:

Advisory Board of Plumbers
James Cooley of Cheney has been reappointed to a term effective December 7, 2006, ending July 1, 2009. Mr. Cooley is a retired certified plumbing and building inspector from the city of Spokane. Gary Jensen of Ferndale has been reappointed to a term effective December 7, 2006, ending July 1, 2009. Mr. Jensen is the president of Sullivan Plumbing Inc. and is a council member for the City of Ferndale. Craig Gresham of Poulsbo has been appointed to a term effective December 7, 2006 and ending July 1, 2009. Mr. Gresham is the President of Gresham Well Drilling and is an active Rotarian. Ron Weist of Olympia has been appointed to a term effective December 7, 2006 and ending July 1, 2009. Mr. Weist is the branch manager for Western Hydro Corp.

The board advises the Department of Labor & Industries on standards for journeymen plumbers; and hears appeals related to revoking certification.

Central Washington University Board of Trustees
Patricia Mattsen Notter of Wenatchee has been appointed to a term effective November 20, 2006, ending September 30, 2012. Ms. Notter was an architectural designer and draftsman in Wenatchee and was the Wenatchee Public Works Commissioner. David Valdez of Seattle has been appointed to a term effective November 20, 2006, ending September 30, 2012. Mr. Valdez is the senior vice president for public affairs, policy and communications at Verizon Northwest. He served as an attorney-advisor with the Office of Chief Counsel at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce

The board is the governing body for Central Washington University.

Clover Park Technical College Board of Trustees
Mary Moss of Lakewood has been appointed to a term effective November 20, 2006, ending September 30, 2008. Ms. Moss is the public relations manager for Harborstone Credit Union. She serves as the secretary for the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, the Military Affairs Committee and was the president of the Clover Park Foundation executive board.

The board is the governing body for Clover Park Technical College.

Commission on African American Affairs
Earl Ford of Vancouver has been reappointed to a term effective November 21, 2006, ending November 20, 2009. Mr. Ford is the president of the Vancouver branch of the NAACP and is a community activist. Dr. Michael Tate of Pullman has been reappointed to a term effective November 21, 2006, ending November 20, 2009. Dr. Tate is the Vice President for Equity and Diversity at Washington State University and serves as the chief education advisor for the Competitive Program Unit in the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service.

The commission examines and defines issues pertaining to the rights and needs of African-Americans and makes recommendations to the Governor, the Legislature and state agencies for changes in programs and laws.

Correctional Industries Board of Directors
William Jeske of Seattle has been reappointed to a term effective December 6, 2006, ending September 25, 2009. Mr. Jeske is the retired associate director of the Northwest Trade Assistance Center, a former member of the Governor�s Council of Economic Advisors and an active member of Interaction Transition, an organization that helps inmates successfully transition from prison back into society.

The board advises the Department of Corrections on programs designed to offer work experience and training of inmates, along with the investing of funds from enterprises and work programs.

Employee Benefits Board
Brian Talbott of Randle has been appointed to a term effective November 15, 2006, ending June 30, 2008. Mr. Talbott is the superintendent for the White Pass School District. He taught high school in the district and was the principal of White Pass Junior and Senior High school.

The board preselects options for members to choose from for self-directed investment, selects the optional benefit payment schedules available to members and survivors and selects investment options for the deferred compensation program.

The Evergreen State College Board of Trustees
Anne Proffitt of Freeland has been appointed to a term effective November 16, 2006, ending September 30, 2012. Ms. Proffitt is the artist and owner of Beach Fire Glass. She was the director of Human Resources at Microsoft.

The board is the governing body for The Evergreen State College.

Emergency Medical Services/ Trauma Care Steering Committee
Mary Flick of Bremerton has been reappointed to a term effective December 7, 2006, ending August 15, 2009. Ms. Flick is a trauma coordinator for the Harrison Medical Center and is certified as an advanced registered nurse practitioner. Sam Sharar of Seattle has been reappointed to a term effective December 7, 2006, ending August 15, 2009. Mr. Sharar is a professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Washington. He is a member of the American Burn Association, the Washington State Medical Association EMS standards board and the American Board of Anesthesiologists. Ed Walkley of Tacoma has been reappointed to a term effective December 7, 2006, ending August 15, 2009. Dr. Walkley is an emergency physician at Mary Bridge Children�s Hospital & Pediatric Trauma Center in Tacoma. He is a member and current chair of the EMS & Trauma Care Steering Committee. Ed Mund of Olympia has been appointed to a term effective December 7, 2006, ending August 15, 2009. Mr. Mund is the Business Manager for Graphic Concepts, Inc. and an east Olympia volunteer responder. Ronald DiRe-Day of Olympia has been appointed to a term effective December 7, 2006, ending August 15, 2009. Mr. DiRe-Day is the Director of Operations for American Medical Response in Lewis, Pierce and Thurston Counties. He is also a member of the Tacoma Rotary and a former Longview City Councilmember.

The committee reviews the requirements for pre-hospital emergency and ambulance services throughout the state and the proposed administrative rules relating to emergency medical services, reviews regional emergency management plans and recommends changes and advises on rules regarding poison information centers.

Governor�s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment
Robin Sutherby of Hoquiam has been appointed to a term effective December 7, 2006, ending December 31, 2008. Ms. Sutherby is co-leader of a disability task force for the Domestic Violence Center of Grays Harbor. She is also a board member of Habitat for Humanity of Grays Harbor. Ben Brynildsen of Seattle has been appointed to a term effective December 7, 2006, ending December 31, 2008. Mr. Brynildsen is career counselor at Everett Community College. He is a Vietnam veteran and is active with various disabled veterans organizations.

The committee advises the Governor and the Legislature on disability issues, initiates projects to address specific issues, provides training and assistance to individuals and organizations statewide, conducts workshops and conferences and publishes disability-related materials.

Humanities Commission
Gemma Daggatt of Seattle has been reappointed to a term effective November 28, 2006, ending October 31, 2009. Ms. Daggatt is a project manager specializing in historical renovation and arts related projects. She is a board member for the Wing Luke Asian Museum and the Sun Valley Center for the Arts. Carla Seaquist of Gig Harbor has been appointed to a term effective November 28, 2006, ending October 31, 2009. Ms. Seaquist is a playwright and artist. She was an equal opportunity officer with a principal focus in moving women and minorities into nontraditional jobs. Dick Thompson of Olympia has been reappointed to a term effective November 28, 2006, ending October 31, 2009. Mr. Thompson served as director of the state Department of Community Development, secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services and as the Chief of Staff to Gov. Booth Gardner. He was the President and Chief Professional Officer of the United Way of King County.

The commission is a non-profit organization supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and local contributors. The commission makes grants to support programs that foster public understanding and appreciation of history, literature, ethics, and other humanities fields.

Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
Christina Johnson-Conley of Olympia has been appointed to a term effective December 7, 2006, ending June 30, 2009. Ms. Johnson-Conley is a self-employed nurse consultant and a student at the University of Washington, working towards her Ph.D. in Nursing.

The board advises the Governor on priorities for granting federal juvenile delinquency funds and improving the juvenile system and implements the federal juvenile justice and delinquency prevention act, which provides funds to states to improve the juvenile justice system.

Northwest Straits Citizens Advisory Board
Scott McCreery of Blaine has been appointed to a term effective November30, 2006, ending October 30, 2010. Mr. McCreery is the senior environmental engineer for BP Cherry Point Refinery. He is a member of the Whatcom County Marine Resources committee and a licensed professional geologist.

The board provides an ecosystem focus on the marine resources of the Northwest Straits, helps mobilize science to focus on key priorities and guides and provides resources to the Marine Resources Committees.

Select Committee on Pension Policy
Lois Clement of Bellingham has been reappointed to a term effective December 7, 2006, ending June 30, 2009. Ms. Clement is a retired librarian with the City of Bellingham. Randy Davis of Camano Island has been appointed to a term effective November 20, 2006, ending June 30, 2009. Mr. Davis is a science teacher with the Marysville School District. Corky Mattingly of Yakima has been reappointed to a term effective December 7, 2006, ending June 30, 2009. Ms. Mattingly is the Yakima County Auditor and was the Central Washington Regional Representative for Senator Patty Murray. David Westberg of Seattle has been reappointed to a term effective December 7, 2006, ending June 30, 2009. Mr. Westberg is the Business Manager for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 609, which represents Seattle Public Schools' cafeteria workers.

The committee studies pension issues, develops pension policies for public employees in state retirement systems and makes recommendations to the Legislature.

Sentencing Guideline Commission
Mike Brasfield of Port Hadlock has been reappointed to a term effective December 6, 2006, ending August 2, 2009. Mr. Brasfield is the Sherriff for Jefferson County and is a member of the State Board on Law Enforcement Training, Standards and Education. He serves as an advisor to the Peninsula College Criminal Justice Program and is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Washington State Sheriffs' Association. Tari Eitzen of Spokane has been reappointed to a term effective December 6, 2006, ending August 2, 2009. Judge Eitzen serves on the Spokane County Superior court. She volunteers on the Gonzaga Law School�s advisory council and with Kid�s Court. Judge Ellen Fair of Everett has been reappointed to a term effective December 6, 2006, ending August 2, 2009. Judge Fair serves on the Snohomish County Superior Court. She is the vice-chair of the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, a member of the Washington Women Lawyers and a member of the Superior Court Judges Association.

The commission evaluates state sentencing policy for both the adult criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system, recommending standard sentences for felony offenses; studies sentencing practices across the state; studies the criminal code and makes recommendations for modification.

Spokane Intercollegiate Research & Technology Institute
Gary Spanner of Richland has been appointed to a term effective December 11, 2006, ending June 30, 2009. Mr. Spanner is the manager of Economic Development for Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. He is a member of the Richland Economic Development committee.

The board is responsible for developing and approving the Spokane Intercollegiate Research & Technology Institute's (SIRTI) general operating procedures and annual operating budget, approving and allocating funding for research projects and coordinating research and development and training programs with other institutes of higher education.

State Council on Aging
Frank Cardwell of Ephrata has been reappointed to a term effective December 6, 2006, ending September 15, 2009. Mr. Cardwell was a social work supervisor in the Home and Community Services division of the Department of Social and Health Services. He was also an administrator in the U.S. Air Force.

The council advises the Governor and the Department of Social and Health Services on policies, programs and services affecting older people.

State Rehabilitation Council
Jeffry Abe-Gunter of Spokane has been reappointed to a term effective November 2, 2006, ending September 30, 2009. Mr. Abe-Gunter is a case and resource manager for the Department of Social and Health Services. Carol Maher of Olympia has been reappointed to a term effective December 6, 2006, ending September 30, 2009. Ms. Maher is the barrier-free facilities program manger for the Department of General Administration.

The council reviews, analyzes and advises the general vocational rehabilitation program of responsibilities under the Rehabilitation Act in partnership with the general vocational rehabilitation program, develops, agrees to, and reviews the preparation of the state plan, the strategic plan, reports, needs assessments and evaluations.

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