Gov. Gregoire honors 21 state government leaders for excellence

For Immediate Release: June 2, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire announced 21 state managers as recipients of the 2010 Governor�s Award for Leadership in Management. The program recognizes managers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership. Accomplishments made by the award winners include increases in public safety, streamlined public services and millions of dollars in savings for taxpayers.

�As we continue to experience a difficult economy, these leaders have made great strides in producing results with less,� Gregoire said. �Their commitment and exceptional service to Washington�s taxpayers is what public service is all about, and I�m inspired by their dedication.�

The recipients will attend an awards luncheon at the Executive Mansion June 4.

Forty-four managers were nominated by 19 agencies for the award. A selection committee composed of agency directors and members of Gregoire�s staff selected the winners based on demonstrated performance.

The Leadership in Management program was created in 1985 to recognize state government managers who demonstrate excellent performance. In 2006, the governor reinvigorated the program with criteria that focus on performance, accountability and proven business results.

2010 recipients of the Governor�s Award for Leadership in Management:

Mike Angel, Employment Security Department
As mail operations manager for the Employment Security Department, Angel and his staff constantly evaluate ways to save costs and improve efficiency. The team�s efforts resulted in an ongoing annual savings of more than $1.2 million.

Tristan Atkins, Washington State Patrol
As head of all WSP air operations, Atkins oversaw the creation of the DUI Aerial Response Team, a first of its kind in the nation. When DART crews are flying, 28 percent of reported erratic drivers are pulled over by a trooper and 44 percent of those are arrested for DUI.

Myles Boothe, Department of Ecology
As spill prevention section manager, Boothe has the enormous task of preventing oil spills in Washington�s waters. His target of no more than one gallon of oil spilled per one million transferred was exceeded. In 2009, the amount of oil spilled was reduced to 0.05 gallons per million.

Chris Freed, Department of Labor & Industries
Under Freed�s leadership, L&I creates vigorous competition for L&I contracts by broadening the pool of vendors. Through her direction, L&I leads all state agencies in contracting with women- and minority-owned businesses.

Dr. Bruce Gage, Department of Corrections
As chief psychiatrist, Gage works diligently to provide offenders with appropriate and timely behavioral health services. Working in collaboration with other government entities and the community, Gage assists in the improvement of mental health services for incarcerated offenders.

Katie Gerard, Department of Personnel
As HR director, Gerard is known for her insight and expertise. Her peers seek her out because her advice and perspective are so highly valued. She models the agency�s values and leads by example. Katie�s leadership in performance management and employee development has resulted in a major improvement in the employee satisfaction ratings for 2009.

Marcus Glasper, Department of Revenue
Because of Glasper�s leadership, taxpayers� concerns regarding the implementation of new tax rules in 2009 were successfully addressed. Through the successes of Glasper and his staff, Washington maintains a very high rate of voluntary tax compliance compared to other states.

Jaime Grantham, Department of Licensing
Grantham is responsible for more than 1.5 million customer service interactions each year. Under her lead, the First Action Support Team was created in 2009 to meet customer needs by streamlining calls and getting customers to the appropriate person quickly.

Judy Groezinger, Department of Licensing
In 2009, under Groezinger�s lead, the Ignition Interlock License (IIL) program was implemented. The IIL allows a person with a suspended license to drive only after the driver blows into the device and their breath shows no trace of alcohol. Studies in other states have shown significant reductions in DUIs because of the program.

Greg Gurske, Department of Licensing
Gurske, a 16-year veteran of the DOL, has served the organization well as its organizational and staff development manager. His expertise in leadership development is sought out both within and outside the agency. He is a mentor, an innovator, and an all around team player.

Susan Hettinger, Employment Security Department
Hettinger has an innate talent for turning around under-performing units. She did it early last year with the Shared-Work Unit (now the most successful layoff-avoidance program of its kind in the country), and she did it again later in 2009 with the Training Benefits Unit.

Ron Langley, Department of Labor & Industries
Langley has influenced change in L&I�s approaches to small business. His knowledge of the agency's programs and contacts has raised awareness within L&I about small-business needs. He has developed small business forums and increased subscribers to online newsletters and tools.

Susan Lucas, Department of Corrections
In 2009, Lucas developed an inclusive environment in DOC through positive leadership, frequent communication and encouraging feedback from staff. She provided leaders with realistic budgets and the tools to manage them.

Richard Morgan, Department of Corrections
In 2009, the DOC Prisons Division was faced with budget challenges of an epic proportion. As director, Morgan reduced the unit�s budget while creating programs to reduce the rise of re-offense and increase public safety.

Harvey Perez, Department of Social & Health Services
Under the leadership of Perez, the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration was able to continue providing quality services within its reduced budget while achieving restoration of funding to support the operation of JRA facilities in 2009.

Robert Rice, Department of Revenue
Rice led his team to create a simpler permit application process for businesses that make wholesale purchases. The results vastly improved sales tax compliance, educated taxpayers about reporting requirements and recoup up to $100 million in revenue annually.

Nora Sackett, Department of Labor & Industries
As manager of information technology for the L&I Division of Safety and Health, Sackett revised citation documents issued to business with serious workplace violations. Now, citations are issued in two days after inspection rather than 7-8 weeks, creating safer workplaces.

Jessica Todorovich, Department of Transportation
In 2009, Todorovich planned extensively with DOT leadership and her unit to reach out to unions and managers in more effective and personal ways. Her outreach and skillful negotiation demonstrated practical benefits and trust to everyone involved.

William Wallace, Department of Natural Resources
In early 2009, Wallace worked with agency divisions to analyze recent flooding and landslides in the area. The information collected provided information based on good science to affected landowners, broadening their understanding of potential landslide and flooding risks.

Stacey Warick, Office of the Insurance Commissioner
In 2009, Warick modernized old, outdated revenue and E-Tax systems and created a new performance management system, improving access to service and increasing the integrity of OIC�s processes through automation.

Anthony Wright, Employment Security Department
Wright�s management style and high expectations has given his staff in the Employment & Career Development Division pride in their accomplishments. His leadership has resulted in high-performing employees who are efficiently serving record numbers of customers during this recession.