Gov. Christine Gregoire announces appointments to boards and commissions

For Immediate Release: August 12, 2005

OLYMPIA � August 12, 2005 � Gov. Christine Gregoire today announced appointments to the following boards and commissions:

Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors

Scott Valentine of Spokane has been appointed to a term effective August 8, 2005, ending July 9, 2010. Valentine is the owner of Scott Valentine Surveying. The board examines candidates for license or registration, investigates and holds hearings on violations of the regulatory law, and recommends and adopts rules and regulations for administering the law.

Developmental Disabilities Council

Leo Finnegan of Issaquah and Alicia McRae of Wenatchee have been appointed to terms effective August 8, 2005, ending June 30, 2008. Finnegan is retired after serving as the director of the Generating Plant Engineering and Construction Department at Puget Sound Power and Light. McRae is the executive director of the Housing Authority for the City of Wenatchee and Chelan County. The council advises the governor on issues and trends in providing services to developmentally disabled individuals, acts as their advocate and as a planning entity.

Electrical Board

Don Guillot of Olympia has been appointed to a term effective August 8, 2005, ending July 7, 2009. Guillot is the business manager and financial secretary of I.B.E.W. Local 77. The board establishes general and specialty electrical contractors' licenses, prepares and administers written examinations, and advises the Department of Labor and Industries director on the need for additional electrical inspectors and changes in electrical codes.

Executive Board of the Washington Public Power Supply System (Energy Northwest)

KC Golden of Seattle has been appointed to a term effective August 3, 2005, ending June 30, 2009. Golden serves as policy director for the Northwest Climate Connections program. Previously he was a special assistant to the mayor of Seattle for clean energy and climate protection initiatives. The Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS) is a joint-operating agency and municipal corporation of the State of Washington. In 1982, the state Legislature passed an act placing control and management of WPPSS in the hands of an 11-member executive board of directors.

Higher Education Coordinating Board

Ethelda Burke of Tacoma has been appointed to a term effective August 3, 2005, ending June 30, 2008. Burke is a former teacher and high school, middle school principal. She currently is the deputy superintendent for the Tacoma School District. The board studies, plans and coordinates higher education among various institutions and agencies within the state.

Hispanic Affairs Commission

Felix Negron of Lacey has been appointed to a term effective August 8, 2005, ending august 1, 2008. Negron is the information technology division program manager for the Department of Social and Health Services. Diana Avalos of Battle Ground, Gabriel Portugal of Pasco and Yvonne Lopez Morton of Spokane have been reappointed to terms effective August 8, 2008, ending August 1, 2008. Lopez Morton was recently elected chair to the commission. The commission ensures that state programs are providing the assistance needed by the Hispanic community; advises state agencies on developing and implementing policies, plans and programs focusing on the needs of the Hispanic community.

Lottery Commission

Lyle Jacobsen of Manson has been appointed to a term effective August 3, 2005, ending August 2, 2006. Jacobsen has a long career in state government including serving as the director of the Office of Financial Management and Assistant State Treasurer. Robert Scarbrough of Tacoma has been reappointed to a term effective August 3, 2005, ending August 2, 2011. The commission adopts rules to establish and operate a state lottery; sets prices of tickets, prizes, frequency of contests, manner and time of payments to winners; and licenses lottery ticket agents and sets their compensation.

Personnel Appeals Board

Busse Nutley of Olympia has been reappointed to a term effective August 11, 2005, ending at the governor�s pleasure. The board hears appeals related to personnel matters of state employees.

Sentencing Guidelines Commission

Ida Ballasiotes of Mercer Island has been appointed to a term effective August 8, 2005, ending August 2, 2008. Ballasiotes is a retired state representative for district 41. The commission evaluates state sentencing policy for both the adult criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system. Recommending standard sentences for felony offenses; studying sentencing practices across the state; as well as studying the criminal code, making recommendations for modification.

Transportation Performance Audit Board

Michael Jacobson of Seattle has been appointed to a term effective July 29, 2005, ending June30, 2009. Jacobson is the performance measures lead for King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. The board was created to improve the accountability and efficiency of transportation related agencies and measure transportation system performance against benchmarks already established.

Washington State Arts Commission

Maureen Greeley of Olympia and Mary Ann McCurdy of Spokane have been appointed to terms effective August 8, 2005, ending July 28, 2008. Cindy Hill Finnie of Port Townsend has been appointed to a term effective August 8, 2005, ending July 28, 2007. Greeley is the owner and director of the public relations and communications firm Greeley & Associates. McCurdy is the owner of Mary Ann McCurdy Management and Consulting. Finnie is the board president for Centrum Foundation. The foundation is a gathering place for artist, writers and musicians. Christopher Bruce of Pullman, Joan Penney of Bow and Stephen Sneed of Seattle have been reappointed to terms effective August 8, 2005, ending July 28, 2008. Penney was recently elected as chair to the commission. The commission promotes the growth and development of the arts within the state; advises state agencies and officials on matters pertaining to the arts; and administers appropriations set aside for acquiring works of art for public buildings.

Washington Biodiversity Council

David Troutt of Dupont has been appointed to a term effective July 29, 2005, ending December 31, 2007. Troutt is the Natural Resources Director for the Nisqually Indian Tribe. The council has diverse representatives from the private and public sector and tribal governments to recommend ways to manage and protect our state's biodiversity.

Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission

Dr. Jessica Saepoff of Mercer Island has been appointed to a term effective August 1, 2005, ending June 30, 2009. Saepoff is the owner dentist of Natural Dental Health Associates. The commission regulates the competency and quality of dental professionals by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing qualifications for licensure, consistent standards of practice, continuing competency mechanisms, and discipline.

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