Governor Gregoire Appoints 28-Year Veteran to Lead State Transportation Agency

For Immediate Release: October 15, 2007

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today announced, after an extensive national search, the appointment of Paula J. Hammond as Secretary for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Hammond has served as the Interim Secretary since August.

�From her first day as Interim Secretary until now, Paula Hammond has risen to every challenge � from review of our state�s bridges after the Minnesota bridge collapse to difficult decisions involving our state�s ferry system,� said Governor Gregoire. �We consulted with the top transportation and public officials in this state and around the country and found that the best candidate for the job was right here in Washington. Paula is a true leader with the vision to tackle Washington�s transportation challenges.�

With the appointment, Hammond becomes responsible for managing WSDOT and its nearly 7,000 employees. WSDOT, which became a cabinet agency in July 2005, maintains 7,000 miles of highways and 3,300 bridges and tunnels, including the longest and widest of the world's first floating bridges. WSDOT also operates the state's most popular tourist attraction � the Washington State Ferries � with 29 boats that carry over 27 million passengers.

�It is a tremendous honor to serve Governor Gregoire and the citizens of Washington as transportation secretary,� said Hammond. �Our state faces difficult decisions about how to meet today�s transportation challenges in the midst of a thriving economy and a growing population. I look forward to working with the Governor, legislators, regional leaders and our dedicated employees to deliver on the public�s expectations for continued project delivery and accountability.�

Hammond graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering and is a professional engineer. In her 28 years with WSDOT, she has worked in all areas of the department�s capital delivery, operations and policy programs.

Prior to taking this position, Hammond served as WSDOT�s Chief of Staff since April 2001. Paula�s husband Alan is a professional land surveyor. They have three children, Greg, Rachel and Kerry. Hammond is a native of Klamath Falls, OR.

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