Governor Gregoire Announces Appointments to New Auto Theft Prevention Authority

For Immediate Release: December 10, 2007

Citizens appointed from East Wenatchee, Everett, Kennewick, Kent, Lacey, Olympia, Seattle, Tukwila

OLYMPIA - Governor Chris Gregoire today announced appointments to the newly created Auto Theft Prevention Authority.

�When a Washingtonian�s vehicle is stolen, it is not only costly and a disruption to their life, but it takes away their sense of security,� said Governor Gregoire. �The Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority is one part of a comprehensive strategy to stop auto theft in Washington and I am confident this focused approach, lead by experts in the field, will lead to fewer cars being stolen in our communities.�

The Auto Theft Prevention Authority will review legislation and make recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor regarding motor vehicle theft in Washington.

Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority:

Steve Strachan of Kent has been appointed to a term effective November 19, 2007, ending November 18, 2009. Strachan is the Chief of Police for the City of Kent. Previously, he served as the Chief of Police in Lakeville, Minnesota. He graduated from the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar and is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the King County Chiefs of Police Association and the Kent Rotary Club.

Ken Hohenberg of Kennewick has been appointed to a term effective November 19, 2007, ending November 18, 2011. Hohenberg is the Chief of Police for the City of Kennewick and has served with the Kennewick Police Department since 1978. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and completed Boston University�s Senior Management Institute for Police and the FBIs Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar. He is a member of the Columbia Center Rotary Club, the Benton County Law and Justice Council, Benton-Franklin Legal Aid and the Benton-Franklin drug courts Community Action and International Law Enforcement Exchange Foundation.

Harvey Gjesdal of East Wenatchee has been appointed to a term effective November 19, 2007, ending November 18, 2009. Gjesdal is the Sheriff of Douglas County and has served as a law enforcement officer for 22 years, with experience as a traffic officer, detective, firearms instructor, SWAT team member, patrol sergeant and Sheriff. He is in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves and is a veteran of Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom.

The Honorable John Lovick of Everett has been appointed to a term effective November 19, 2007, ending November 18, 2011. Lovick is a State Representative and was recently elected Sheriff of Snohomish County. He was a state trooper with the Washington State Patrol and has received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration�s Lifesavers award, a certificate of commendation from the National Commission Against Drunk Driving, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission Special Director�s award and the Washington Association of County Officials� 2005 Legislator of the Year award.

Dan Satterberg of Seattle has been appointed to a term effective November 19, 2007, ending November 18, 2011. Satterberg is the newly elected King County Prosecuting Attorney. He served as Chief of Staff for the Prosecutor�s office for 17 years and was appointed Interim Prosecutor in May 2007. Satterberg worked to create King County�s Drug Diversion Court and has worked on the reformation of state sentencing laws.

Emil Dammel of Seattle has been appointed to a term effective November 19, 2007 ending November 18, 2011. Dammel is the claims quality assurance manager for PEMCO and has been a legal examiner, claim analyst and casualty adjuster for PEMCO. He is a Washington Business Week company advisor and a speaker at seminars held by the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association.

Michael West of Tukwila has been appointed to a term effective November 19, 2007, ending November 18, 2011. West is the owner of Southtowne Auto Rebuild. He is the education chairperson for the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce and a Valley View Sewer District Commissioner. He has served on the Governor and Attorney General�s antifraud task forces, the Seattle Community College advisory committee, the Renton Technical College advisory committee, the Highway 99 action committee and the City of Tukwila�s planning commission.

Don Pierce of Lacey has been appointed to a term effective November 19, 2007, ending November 18, 2009. Pierce is the executive director of Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC). He served as the Chief of Police for Boise, Idaho; Bellingham and Tukwila; and was the director of public safety for the City of Normandy Park. Pierce was the Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho prior to joining WASPC.

John Batiste of Olympia has been appointed to a term effective November 19, 2007, ending at the Governor�s pleasure. Batiste is the Chief of the Washington State Patrol and an executive board member of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; and the Western States Information Network. Batiste is a Washington Criminal Justice Training Commissioner, a Washington Traffic Safety Commissioner and the chairperson of the Governor�s Methamphetamine Coordinating Council. He is a member of International Association of Chiefs of Police and is on the board of Northwest University. He has worked with the Kenya National Police Force to create a National Police Chaplin Program and with the South African National Police Force to support training and procedures on ethical policing.

Merle F. Pfiefer of Kent has been appointed to a term effective November 26, 2007, ending November 18, 2009. Pfeifer is the chief executive officer of Sparks Car Care. He is the president of the Federal Way Public Schools Technical Advisory Council, the president-elect and government affairs committee chairperson for the Automotive Service Association and the chairperson of the NAPA Western Region Auto Care Council.

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