Agriculture Director Loveland to retire

For Immediate Release: April 21, 2008

Gov. Gregoire lauds Loveland�s years of public service

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced that Valoria Loveland, director of the Washington state Department of Agriculture (WSDA), is retiring.

�Since her reappointment as agriculture director in April 2005, Valoria has been a tireless advocate for the farming community,� the governor said. �When I reappointed Valoria as director of agriculture I asked that she expand the market for our state�s agricultural goods. Today, agriculture exports from Washington state are at record highs thanks in large part to Valoria�s leadership.�

Before serving as director of agriculture under two governors, Loveland served as Franklin County Treasurer, state Senator and chair of the state�s Public Disclosure Commission.

�Valoria has been a close advisor and friend and I will miss her professionally and personally,� the governor continued. �I have called on her expertise and advice because of her wide range of knowledge from years of public service. On behalf of the people of Washington, I want to thank Valoria for her service and I wish her the best of luck in retirement.�

"I have very much loved working for Governor Gregoire,� Loveland said. �She knows how to govern, and that means surrounding herself with people who know what the citizens of Washington want and expect, and who also know how to deliver. I will miss working within the �can-do� environment the governor brings to state government."

Loveland�s retirement is effective May 5, 2008.

The governor announced that Robert Gore, the current deputy director at WSDA, will serve as the agency�s interim director until a permanent director is hired. Gore, 56, has over 30 years experience working in the agriculture community as a grain inspector and commodities inspection manager.

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