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Gov. Gregoire appoints Joanne Harrell to UW board of regents

For Immediate Release: October 8, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the appointment of Joanne Harrell to the University of Washington Board of Regents. Harrell is the chief of staff for the Original Equipment Manufacturing division at Microsoft, where she has worked for the past eight years.

�Joanne brings an extensive history of service to this position,� Gregoire said. �Not only is her career experience impressive, her willingness to give back to her community is admirable. I know Joanne will add additional leadership to the board of regents, and will serve her alma mater well.�

Harrell graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. She later earned a Master of Business Administration in marketing at the Foster School of Business before being appointed trustee at UW�s Evans School of Public Affairs.

�I am deeply honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve the University of Washington, as well as all Washington state citizens,� Harrell said. �This is a rare opportunity to give back to my alma mater � which gave me so much, and work with an impressive team to further improve our state�s higher education system.�

Harrell has extensive experience in both the high-tech and non-profit sectors. Before joining Microsoft, she was senior vice president at InfoSpace in Bellevue, and vice president and chief executive officer at US West Communications. Harrell is also a past president and chief executive officer at United Way of King County.

Harrell has received top recognition for her career and philanthropic accomplishments. She�s been recognized by both Telephony Magazine and Ebony Magazine for her business achievements. In 2007, she received Seattle�s �Women of Achievement Award,� and was recently inducted into the University of Washington School of Communication Hall of Fame.

Harrell�s appointment is effective October 16th.