Gov. Gregoire appoints new director of Department of Ecology

For Immediate Release: November 9, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the appointment of Ted Sturdevant as the director of the Washington State Department of Ecology. Sturdevant has spent the past seven years as Ecology�s director of Governmental Relations, and replaces Jay Manning, who recently joined the Governor�s Office as Gregoire�s chief of staff.

�Ted knows this agency � he has a strong familiarity with its priorities and challenges, and already has an excellent working relationship with agency staff, the environmental community, tribes and the business community,� Gregoire said. �I am confident that Ted will work with people in every community and industry to ensure Washington state remains a place in which we�re all proud to live.�

�In spite of our state�s budget challenges, I am convinced we can continue to improve environmental protection and make meaningful policy gains that protect our quality of life,� Sturdevant said. �Governor Gregoire is the best governor for the environment this state has ever had. I look forward to serving her directly to further advance her agenda.�

Before joining the senior management team at the Department of Ecology in 2003, Sturdevant worked under Gov. Gary Locke, leading Locke�s external affairs team. Sturdevant has also worked for Rep. Mike Nelson and Rep. Tony Federici in Oregon.

In 2008, Gregoire presented Sturdevant with the Governor�s Award for Leadership Management.

�Ted�s a proven advocate for our environment,� said Joan Crooks, executive director of the Washington Environmental Council. �I have worked closely with him on some big environmental challenges � climate change, preventing toxic pollution � and look forward to working with him in his new role. With Ted leading Ecology, we will maintain our strong collaboration with the state to protect the people and natural environment of Washington state.�

"Ted brings tremendous knowledge and leadership to this position, " said Kristen Sawin, public affairs manager for Weyerhaeuser. "He has earned the trust of stakeholders and his strong relationships will help him balance the needs of citizens, businesses, and the environment to keep Washington the beautiful place we live and work.�

Sturdevant�s appointment is effective Nov. 9. His salary will be $141,549 per year.