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Gov. Gregoire announces boards and commissions appointments

For Immediate Release: July 22, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced appointments to the following boards and commissions:

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation:

Robert McCoy of Pullman has been appointed to a term effective March 11, 2009, ending Oct. 12, 2012. McCoy is an assistant professor at Washington State University. He is a member of the American Historical Association, National Trust for Historical Preservation, Organization of American Historians and Whitman County Historical Society.

The council reviews nominations for the state and national register of historic places, and advises the governor and the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation on matters relating to historic preservation.


Board of Occupational Therapy Practice:

Karin Schulze of Port Ludlow has been appointed to a term effective March 25, 2009, ending Dec. 31, 2011. Schulze is the director of rehabilitation at Harrison Medical Center. She is a member of the Washington Occupational Therapy Association.

The board administers, coordinates and enforces the statutes relating to occupational therapists.


Boundary Review Board for Cowlitz County:

James Bain of Kalama has been reappointed to a term effective March 24, 2009, ending Jan. 31, 2013. Bain is the owner of Bain Design. He is the former chair of the Kalama Planning Commission.


Boundary Review Board for Thurston County:

Cynthia Pratt of Lacey has been reappointed to a term effective March 12, 2009, ending Jan. 31, 2013. Pratt is retired from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. She is a member of the International Association of Impact Assessment and the Olympia Poetry Network.

The board has jurisdiction over municipal annexations, incorporations, disincorporation, and the creation or annexation of certain special districts and extensions of sewer and water service outside a city or district.


Building Code Council:

Clare Ray Allshouse of Kirkland has been appointed to a term effective March 18, 2009, ending Jan. 5, 2012. Allshouse is a building official with the city of Shoreline. He is a member of the Washington Association of Building Officials, Kirkland Planning Commission, National Fire Protection Association and American Institute of Architects.

Kristyn Clayton of Richland has been reappointed to a term effective March 4, 2009, ending Jan. 5, 2012. Clayton is a program manager with McKinstry Company. She is a member of the Association of Energy Engineers and the American Institute of Architects.

Tien Peng of Seattle has been appointed to a term effective March 13, 2009, ending Jan. 5, 2012. Peng is the director of design with Quadrant Homes. He is a member of the King County State Environmental Policy Act Technical Workgroup and U. S. Green Building Council.

The council studies, recommends revision and provides technical and general assistance to building officials about adopted codes relating to uniform building, energy and barrier-free designs. The council also adopts and amends building codes.


Commission on Hispanic Affairs:

Idalia Apodaca of Spokane Valley has been appointed to a term effective March 5, 2009, ending Aug. 1, 2011. Apodaca is an English language development teacher with Spokane Public Schools. She is a member of the Washington Education Association Minority Affairs and Human Rights Work Team, National Education Association Women�s Caucus and Spokane Children�s Alliance.

Manuel Villafan of Moxee has been appointed to a term effective March 5, 2009, ending Aug. 1, 2009. Villafan is a family support program specialist with Enterprise for Progress in the Community.

The commission ensures that state programs are providing the assistance needed by the Hispanic community and advises state agencies on developing and implementing policies to benefit the Hispanic community.


Eastern State Hospital Advisory Board:

Gail Kogle of Spokane Valley has been appointed to a term effective March 25, 2009, ending Dec. 5, 2009. Kogle is a mental health planner with the Spokane County Regional Support Network. She is the president of the Spokane Valley Partners Board of Directors.

The board monitors the operation and activities of the hospital, reviews and advises on the hospital budget, and makes recommendations to the governor and the Legislature for improving the quality of service provided by the hospital.


Emergency Management Council:

L.G. Nelson of Centralia has been appointed to a term effective March 13, 2009, ending at the governor�s discretion. Nelson is the building official for the city of Centralia. He is a member of the Washington Association of Building Officials and has served as a plans examiner and building inspector for 22 years.

William Gillespie of Olympia has been appointed to a term effective March 16, 2009, ending at the governor�s discretion. Gillespie is a project manager with the Department of Labor and Industries. In addition, he is the president of the Thurston County Search and Rescue Council and has been a search and rescue volunteer in Thurston County for 15 years.

Richard Walter of Olympia has been appointed to a term effective March 13, 2009, ending at the governor�s discretion. Walter is the vice president of operations for the Association of Washington Business. He is active in several community organizations, including the Olympia�Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and the Thurston County Economic Development Council, which he co-founded.

Richard Hildreth of Pacific has been appointed to a term effective March 13, 2009, ending at the governor�s discretion. Hildreth is mayor of the city of Pacific. He is the founding member of the White River Valley Citizen Corps Council and chair of the Valley Regional Fire Authority, where he serves as chair of the emergency management committee.

The council advises the governor and the assistant director of Emergency Management Division on all matters relating to emergency services in the state, and acts as an arbitration body to settle search and rescue claims between state and local governments.


Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board:

Larry Paulson of Vancouver has been appointed to a term effective March 13, 2009, ending June 30, 2010. Paulson is the executive director of the Port of Vancouver, a position he has held since 1999. He has served as the deputy director and general counsel for the port. He retired from the Oregon Air National Guard, having risen through the enlisted ranks to brigadier general and retiring as the chief of staff and commander of the Air National Guard in 1999 after 31 years of service. He serves on several committees, including the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association.

The board designates strategic freight corridors within the state, reviews and evaluates freight mobility funding applications, and makes recommendations to the governor and Legislature on projects that will enhance freight mobility.


Higher Education Facilities Authority:

Tom Johnson of Spokane has been reappointed to a term effective March 30, 2009, ending March 26, 2013. Johnson is the vice president of administration at Spokane Teachers Credit Union. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants and the National and Washington Credit Union League.

The authority authorizes the issuance of tax-exempt bonds and loans proceeds to private, nonprofit institutions of higher education.


Jail Industries Board:

James Huffman of East Wenatchee has been appointed to a term effective March 11, 2009, ending Feb. 15, 2012. Huffman is retired from the Chelan County Public Utility District. He is a member of the Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary and the Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims Board.

Lowell Sather of Spokane has been appointed to a term effective March 25, 2009, ending Feb. 15, 2012. Sather is a stagehand with the International Alliance of Theater and Stagehand Employees 93 Spokane, and a member of the Spokane Regional Labor Council.

Jean Watley of Tacoma has been appointed to a term effective March 11, 2009, ending Feb. 15, 2012. Watley is a dean of instruction at Bates Technical College.

The board offers advice to cities and counties in developing, promoting and implementing consistent, safe and efficient offender work programs.


Parks and Recreation Commission:

Roger Schmitt of Port Townsend has been appointed to a term effective March 6, 2009, ending Dec. 31, 2014. Schmitt is the operations director with Jefferson Land Trust. Schmitt has served as a member at large and vice chair with the Fort Worden State Park Advisory Committee.

Cindy Whaley of Spokane has been appointed to a term effective March 18, 2009, ending Dec. 31, 2014. Whaley is an attorney with Winston & Cashatt. Prior to attending law school, she worked in Washington, D.C., on the staff of U.S. Rep. William S. Mailliard. Whaley has been active in various state, local and federal bar activities, and has been a frequent lecturer on antitrust, civil procedure and employment issues.

The commission acquires, develops, maintains and operates the state parks system. The commission is also responsible for seashore conservation, boating and water safety, scenic rivers, inspecting ski lifts and snowmobile safety.


Pipeline Safety Committee:

Arthur Coulombe of Walla Walla has been appointed to a term effective March 9, 2009, ending July 31, 2011. Coulombe is a retired civil engineer from the U.S. Corps of Engineers. He is a former volunteer firefighter.

VaNessa Duplessie of Ridgefield has been appointed to a term effective March 9, 2009, ending July 31, 2011. Duplessie is a general partner and consultant at Ridge Partners, LLC. She is a member of Toastmasters International, the Battle Ground chapter of the Dream Big Community, Leadership Clark County Curriculum & Graduation Ceremony committee and Enterprise Paradise Point Neighborhood Association Board.

Ron Schmitt of Tacoma has been appointed to a term effective March 9, 2009, ending July 31, 2009. Schmitt is a firefighter and paramedic with Snohomish County Fire District #1. He is a member of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians and the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Carl Weimer of Bellingham has been appointed to a term effective March 9, 2009, ending July 31, 2010. Weimer is a Whatcom County commissioner.

The committee advises the Utilities and Transportation Commission and other appropriate federal, state and local government agencies and officials on matters relating to hazardous liquid and gas pipeline safety, routing, construction, operation and maintenance. The committee reviews and comments on proposed rules and on the operation of the state pipeline safety program.


Podiatric Medical Board:

Suzanne Wilson of Seattle has been appointed to a term effective March 12, 2009, ending June 23, 2013. Wilson is self employed as a podiatric physician and surgeon. She is a member of the Washington State Podiatric Medical Association, American Podiatric Medical Association, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and American Board of Podiatric Surgeons.

The board examines candidates for licensure or registration, investigates charges of malpractice, unsafe conditions or unprofessional conduct, and conducts disciplinary hearings. The board also recommends and adopts rules and regulations to promote safety, protection and welfare of the public.


State Advisory Council on Homelessness:

Christine Lowell of Olympia has been reappointed to a term effective March 4, 2009, ending Jan. 4, 2013. Lowell is the executive director of the Housing Authority of Thurston County. She is a member of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board and the Association of Washington Housing Authorities.

Tom Pennella of Olympia has been reappointed to a term effective March 26, 2009, ending Jan. 4, 2013. Pennella is a mentoring administrator with the Department of Social and Health Services. He volunteers as a youth mentor, youth coach and at Black Lake Elementary School.

Linda Schneider of White Salmon has been appointed to a term effective March 26, 2009, ending Jan. 4, 2010. Schneider is the executive director of Washington Gorge Action Programs. She is a member of the Bingen White Salmon Rotary Club, Klickitat County Substance Abuse Advisory Board and Washington State Coalition for the Homeless.

The council makes annual policy recommendations to the governor and the Affordable Housing Board on ways to enhance the state�s ability to respond to the needs of people who are homeless, who are at risk of being homeless or who have been homeless.


State Council on Aging:

David Sullivan of Port Townsend has been appointed to a term effective March 30, 2009, ending Sept. 15, 2011. Sullivan is a Jefferson County commissioner, and chair of the Olympic Area Agency on Aging and Jefferson Transit Board. He is also the president of the Peninsula Development District.

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


State Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities and their Families:

Marie Arenz of Everett has been appointed to a term effective March 12, 2009, ending Jan. 6, 2012. Arenz is an associate director with disAbility Resource Connections. She is member of the Association in Ministry, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Parent Family Coalition Advisory Board of the Arc of Snohomish County.

Sarah Fader of Tumwater has been appointed to a term effective March 12, 2009, ending Jan. 6, 2012. Fader works for the Department of Social and Health Services.

Amy Kocher of Ellensburg has been appointed to a term effective March 13, 2009, ending Jan. 6, 2010. Kocher is a branch office administrator for Edward Jones. She is involved with her local Mother of Preschoolers group and Parent to Parent chapter.
Janet Spybrook of Ellensburg has been appointed to a term effective March 12, 2009, ending Jan. 6, 2012. Spybrook is an assistant professor of special education at Central Washington University. She is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children, Council for Learning Disabilities and Association of Higher Education and Disabilities.

The council advises and assists the Department of Social and Health Services and participating state agencies to coordinate, develop and implement policies dealing with early-intervention services.


Washington State Horse Park Authority:

Larry Fairleigh of Olympia has been appointed to a term effective March 19, 2009, ending March 18, 2012. Fairleigh is an assistant director of the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission. He is a member of the Olympia Park and Recreation Board, Stormwater Advisory Board, Executive Board of Capital Land Trust, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition and Yellowstone Foundation.

The authority was formed as a non-profit corporation. It is responsible for developing, promoting, operating, managing and maintaining the state horse park.


Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board:

Nina Carter of Olympia has been appointed to a term effective March 1, 2009, ending June 30, 2010. Carter is a member of the Washington State Biodiversity Council and the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition.

The board rules on disputes that arise from county and city growth-planning policies in all counties west of the Cascades (except King, Pierce, Kitsap and Snohomish counties) and all cities therein.


Yakima Community College Board of Trustees:

Larry Sanchez of Yakima has been reappointed to a term effective March 5, 2009, ending Sept. 30, 2013. Sanchez is the south central WorkSource director in the Cascade East Region for the Washington State Employment Security Department. He is a member of the Yakima Valley Community College Adult Education Advisory Board and Tri-County Workforce Development Program.

The board is the governing body for the college.