Governor Gregoire Appoints Interim Director of Workforce Training Board

For Immediate Release: June 23, 2006

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today announced the appointment of Don Bennett of Puyallup as the interim executive director of Washington�s Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. The appointment is effective July 1, 2006, ending July 30, 2007.

�Don Bennett�s experience on the Personnel Appeals Board, his professionalism and commitment to serve will make him a strong leader for the Workforce Training Board as they go through a period of change,� said Governor Gregoire.

Prior to joining the Personnel Appeals Board in 1997, Mr. Bennett was leadership counsel for the Democratic Caucus of the Washington Senate from 1991 � 1997. He was the director of Policy and Legal Services for the Washington School Directors Association from 1988 � 1990 and served as staff counsel to the Washington Senate�s education committee from 1986 - 1988.

The Workforce Board advises the Governor on workforce development policy, advocates for training and education opportunities for Washington workers, ensures that the state�s workforce preparation services and programs work together and evaluates performance.

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