Governor Gregoire Announces Chief of Staff Fitzsimmons to Resign

For Immediate Release: September 17, 2007

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today announced that Tom Fitzsimmons, her Chief of Staff, has shared his intention to resign.

�Tom has been a friend for many years and has been instrumental in advising and guiding me through the last two and a half years. He is a tireless advocate on behalf of Washingtonians and has turned his passion for public service into his career,� said Governor Gregoire. �I wish Tom and his family the best as he moves on to this next chapter in his life. He will be missed greatly by everyone in my administration.�

�It has been my honor to serve Governor Gregoire,� said Fitzsimmons. �I am most proud of helping Governor Gregoire appoint and lead the most diverse cabinet in state history and helping implement a nationally recognized accountability program. I leave knowing that this governor has and will continue to make a positive difference in the lives of Washington families.�

Fitzsimmons served as Chief of Staff for former Governor Gary Locke before being appointed to the same position by Governor Gregoire in January 2005. Altogether, he has held the position of Chief of Staff for the Office of the Governor for four years.

He previously served as the director of the Department of Ecology, where he led reforms to Washington�s water and shoreline management laws and water-quality and toxic cleanup regulations.

Fitzsimmons has served as lead negotiator between the State of Washington and tribal governments, negotiated major transportation and infrastructure agreements, directed cabinet affairs and managed the daily operation of the Office of the Governor.

Fitzsimmons will continue to serve as Chief of Staff through the transition of a new appointee.

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