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Gov. Gregoire announces boards and commissions appointments

For Immediate Release: December 21, 2007

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced appointments to the following boards and commissions:

Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation
Marilyn Mason-Plunkett of Bellevue has been reappointed for a term effective Nov. 9, 2007, ending June 30, 2009. Mason-Plunkett is president and chief executive officer of Hopelink in Redmond. She is a Redmond Rotary and Downtown Yakima Rotary member, and is on the ACCT Council and Yakima Valley Conference of Governments executive committee. Mason-Plunkett is a member and past president of Community Transportation Association.

The council develops standards and strategies for coordinating special-needs transportation.

Arts Commission
Martin C. Loesch of La Conner has been appointed to a term effective Nov. 8, 2007, ending July 28, 2010. Loesch is governmental affairs director and tribal attorney for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and is on Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission and University of Notre Dame-Institute for Church Life. Loesch is a Seattle Theater Group Center state council member and is on the Washington Wilderness Coalition board of directors.

The commission promotes the growth and development of the arts in Washington, advises state agencies and officials on matters pertaining to the arts and administers appropriations for acquiring works of art for public buildings.

Rehabilitation Council for the Blind
Laura L. Beigh of Fircrest has been appointed to a term effective Nov. 7, 2007, ending Sept. 13, 2010. Beigh is an independent-living specialist for the Blind and Partially Sighted for Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities, and previously worked on the Visual Impairment Services team at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. She is the Tacoma Downtown Lions Club member and secretary.

Michael T. Cunningham of Olympia has been appointed to a term effective Nov. 7, 2007, ending Sept. 13, 2010. Cunningham is policy manager for the vocational rehabilitation statewide program administrator of the Department of Social and Health Services VR division, and is an independent clinical social worker and certified rehabilitation counselor. He is a National Association of Social Workers Board of Directors-Washington State Chapter member and is a Heritage College instructor and coordinator.

Mike Davis of Deer Park has been appointed to a term effective Nov. 7, 2007, ending Sept. 13, 2010. Davis owns Wild Rose Farm in Deer Park. He is a National Federation of the Blind-Inhod Empire Chapter member, and is active with the Deer Park School District Bond Committee. Davis is Deer Park�s youth baseball coordinator and coaches baseball, football and basketball for AmeriCorps Vista.

Penny Grist of Vashon Island has been reappointed to a term effective Nov. 7, 2007, ending Sept. 13, 2010. Grist is a self-employed artist. She is on the boards of directors of Blue Heron Art Center in Vashon and YWCA in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is vice chair of the council. Grist was visual arts coordinator for Vashon Allied Arts, Blue Heron Center to the Arts gallery curator, and a Time-Life Books researcher in New York City.

Marlaina Lieberg of Burien has been appointed to a term effective Nov. 7, 2007, ending Sept. 13, 2010. Lieberg is owner and marketing director of Traico Inc., and founder of Guide Dog Users of Washington State. She is on the board of directors of AVIA (Arts and Visually Impaired Audiences), and is a member of Washington Council of the Blind, Information Access Committee and Women�s Concerns Committee and American Council of the Blind. Lieberg has served on Governor�s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment.

Cindy Van Winkle of Silverdale has been reappointed to a term effective Nov. 7, 2007, ending Sept. 13, 2010. Van Winkle is a para-educator for the Central Kitsap School District. She is American Council for the Blind-Board of Publications director, Council of Families with Visual Impairment president, and Braille Revival League director. She is a Washington State School for the Blind board of trustees ex-officio member.

Elizabeth (Libby) Winzer of Aberdeen has been reappointed to a term effective Nov. 7, 2007, ending Sept. 13, 2010. Winzer is a retired teacher, having taught at Widney High School for the Physically Handicapped in Los Angeles for 24 years. She is State Independent Living Council chair, is a State Planning Commission member and an S.I.G.H.T. (Sight Impaired of Grays Harbor Together) member.

The council advises the director of the Department of Services for the Blind.

Capital Projects Advisory Review Board
Cynthia Cooper of Olympia has been appointed to a term effective Nov. 5, 2007, ending July 28, 2008. Cooper is director of Washington State Office of Minority and Women�s Business Enterprises. She received the Advocate of the Year award from Women�s Business Enterprise Council-Southeast in 2006, and received an Outstanding Managerial Performance Award from the State of Connecticut.

Edward Kommers of Seattle has been reappointed to a term effective Nov. 7, 2007, ending July 28, 2011. Kommers is director of technical services for Mechanical Contractors Association, is a consultant to the contracting industry through Kommers Services, PLLC, and is a licensed professional engineer. He is King County Board of Plumbing Appeals chair, Pacific Northwest Center for Construction Research and Education Foundation president, and Northwest Seattle Little League vice president.

The board was created in the Department of General Administration. It provides evaluations of public capital projects� construction processes, including the impact of contracting methods on project outcomes and advises the Legislature on policies related to alternative public works delivery methods.

Electrical Board
Gloria Ashford of Woodinville has been reappointed to a term effective Nov. 8, 2007, ending July 7, 2011. Ashford is owner and president Ashford Electric and Construction Co. She is the Electrical Board chair, Puget Sound NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) board president, and a member of Puget Sound JATC (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee) and Electric League. Ashford holds an OSHA Safety Certification.

Rodney D. Belisle of Brush Prairie has been appointed to a term effective Nov. 8, 2007, ending July 7, 2011. Belisle is assistant training director of the NECA-IBEW (National Electrical Contractors Association-International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Electrical Training Center. He is a CMP-9, NFPA 70 (Code Panel 9 of National Fire Protection Association-National Electrical Code) principal member; and is a member of Clark, Klickitat, Skamania County Labor Council; the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Committee NIETC representative (National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors); and the City of Portland Electrical Appeals Committee. He is on the Clark County Skills Center advisory committee and Clark College Construction Technology advisory board. Belisle holds a Washington master electrician license and an Oregon journeyman electrician license.

David S. Bowman of Spokane has been reappointed to the Manufacturer Position to a term effective Nov. 8, 2007, ending July 7, 2011. Bowman is territory manager for Hubbell Inc., and is an Inland Northwest Electrical League member. He holds a Washington journeyman electrician license.

Jim Simmons of Olympia has been reappointed to a term effective Nov. 8, 2007, ending July 7, 2011. Simmons is president of Mr. Electric of Olympia. He is a Puget Sound Chapter of IAEI (International Association of Electrical Inspectors) member and is on the Mr. Electric national advisory council.

The board establishes general and specialty electrical contractors' licenses, prepares and administers written examinations, and advises the Department of Labor and Industries director on the need for additional electrical inspectors and changes in electrical codes

Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers
Richard Knautz of Yakima has been reappointed to a term effective Nov. 5, 2007, ending July 1, 2012. Knautz is funeral home manager for Service Corporation International. He is a member the Salvation Army board, Yakima Southwest Rotary Club, United Way, Camp Primetime, Selah Kiwanis Club, Selah Civic Center, Selah Chamber of Commerce, Yakima Aging and Long-term Care board, and local hospice boards.

The board examines and licenses members of the profession and recommends rules and regulations for administering and enforcing regulatory law.

Governor�s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS
Susan Fabrikant of Spokane has been reappointed to a term effective Nov. 7, 2007, ending June 30, 2010. Fabrikant is executive director of Spokane AIDS Network. She has
24 years experience in the sexual violence field as education and training director of the Sexual Assault and Family Trauma and Response Center (SAFeT), and is the former director of the Rape Crisis Network in Spokane. Fabrikant is a United Nations Association of Spokane member.

Mark Garrett of Spokane has been reappointed to a term effective Nov. 7, 2007, ending June 30, 2010. Garrett is an HIV client advocate and HIV community educator for Spokane AIDS Network. He is a member of Spokane County Ryan White CARE Consortium and Region One HIV Prevention Planning Group.

Robert Gunstrom of Lakewood has been reappointed to a term effective Nov. 7, 2007, ending June 30, 2010. Gunstrom is a control desk customer service representative for Narrows Plaza Bowl in University Place. He is a Pierce County Housing Authority commissioner and a Pierce County AIDS Foundation board member.

David Lee of Seattle has been reappointed to a term effective Nov. 7, 2007, ending June 30, 2010. Lee is a medical social worker and HIV case manager at Harborview Medical Center. He is the council�s vice chair and is a National Association of Social Workers member. Lee has worked with HIV Vaccine Trials Network at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Lara Strick, M.D., M.Sc., of Seattle has been appointed to a term effective Nov. 7, 2007, ending June 30, 2010. Dr. Strick is statewide infectious disease physician and HIV provider for the Washington State Department of Corrections. In addition, she is a clinical instructor of medicine at Madison Clinic and program director for the Department of Corrections Norwest AETC (Aids Education Training Center). She is a member of Infectious Diseases Society of America, Infectious Diseases Society of Washington, American College of Physicians, American Academy of HIV Medicine, and Academy of Correctional Health Professionals.

Pamela Tollefsen, RN, M.Ed., of Olympia has been reappointed to a term effective Nov. 7, 2007, ending June 30, 2010. Tollefsen is program supervisor of health and fitness and HIV/STD prevention for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. She is a Certified School Nurse, and is on the boards of directors of School Nurse Organization of Washington and National Association of School Nurses. Tollefsen is a member of Society of State Directors of Health, Physical Education and Recreation; Washington Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect; American School Health Association; American Alliance of Health Educators; American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; Washington Alliance of HPERD; and Washington Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. She is a published author on HIV/AIDS/STD prevention and the school nurse�s role.

The council advises the governor on HIV/AIDS-related programs and policy.

State Independent Living Council
Deborah E. Cook of Seattle has been appointed to a term effective Nov. 14, 2007, ending Sept. 30, 2010. Cook is program manager for the University of Washington Center on Technology and Disability Studies. She is an American Council of the Blind and Washington Council of the Blind member.

Jana M. Finkbonner of Bellingham has been appointed for a term effective Nov. 9, 2007, ending Sept. 30, 2009. Finkbonner is program director of North Intertribal Vocational Rehabilitation for the Stillaguamish Tribe. She previously served as assistant director for Family Services, director of Employment and Training Center, and director of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Lummi Nation. Finkbonner is a Northwest Indian College board member and Northwest Indian College Foundation board member.

The council develops, signs and submits the State Plan for Independent Living jointly with DSHS, Health Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Department of Services for the Blind. It monitors, reviews and evaluates the implementation of the State Plan and coordinates activities with the State Rehabilitation Council, the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind, and other councils that address the needs of disability populations.

Interagency Committee of State Employed Women
Angela R. Knight of Olympia has been appointed to a term effective Nov. 6, 2007, ending June 30, 2009. Knight is support services coordinator for the accounting division of the Washington State Office of Financial Management.

Board of Registration for Landscape Architects
Thomas Sherry of Spokane has been reappointed to a term effective Nov. 6, 2007, ending Sept. 5, 2012. Sherry is president of Sherry Pratt Van Voorhis, P.S. He is the board chair, and is a Spokane Chamber of Commerce member. He has been a Construction Specification Institute member and Washington State University Spokane advisory board member.

The board examines candidates for licensure or registration, holds disciplinary hearings, and recommends adoption of rules and regulations for administering the regulatory laws.

Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery
Peter V. Kilburn, D.O., F.A.C.O.S., of Federal Way has been appointed for a term effective Nov. 8, 2007, ending July 5, 2012. Dr. Kilburn is a private practice osteopath and surgeon. He is a U.S. Army Reserve retiree and actively served during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, in Bosnia, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dr. Kilburn is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, King County Medical Association, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, and Reserve Officers Association. He is a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons.

William L. Gant of Sunnyside has been reappointed to a term effective Nov. 8, 2007, ending July 5, 2012. Gant is director of Washington Interscholastic Activities Association District No. 5. He is vice chair of the board, and executive secretary of Yakima Valley Interscholastic Activities Association. Gant is a member of Sunnyside City Council, Federation of State Medical Boards and Kiwanis International.

The board examines candidates for licensure and registration, holds disciplinary hearings, adopts standards of professional conduct, and recommends and adopts rules and regulations for administering regulatory law.

Real Estate Appraiser Commission
Arvel M. Hale of Yakima has been appointed to a term effective Nov. 8, 2007, ending Dec. 22, 2013. Hale is owner of Real Estate Appraisal and Information Services. He served previously as Bureau of Indian Affairs chief appraiser in Washington, D.C.; adjunct instructor at Northern Virginia Community College; Bureau of Indian Affairs review appraiser in Anadarko, Okla.; and Bureau of Indian Affairs staff appraiser in Yakima. Hale is on the Indian Land Tenure Foundation Audit Committee of Little Canada, Minn., board of directors.

The commission serves as a liaison between appraisal practitioners, the public and the Department of Licensing.

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