Contact Information

  • Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gregoire appoints new deputy communications directors

For Immediate Release: May 29, 2008

OLYMPIA - Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the appointments of Laura Lockard and Karina Shagren as deputy communications directors.

Lockard most recently served as the director of civil programs for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in Yerevan, Armenia. She served as the communications manager for the King County Department of Executive Services from December 2006 until January 2008. Prior to that, Lockard worked for public affairs agencies in Seattle, and as director of corporate communication at Onvia.com.

Shagren most recently was a reporter at KXLY-TV in Spokane. In addition to her reporting responsibilities, she also served as a weekend news anchor at the station from 2004 until 2006. Shagren previously worked as a reporter at KVEW-TV in Kennewick, and in marketing and communications for Washington State University.

�Karina and Laura bring a host of communications and media skills that will be a great benefit to the governor�s office,� said Pearse Edwards, Gregoire�s communications and external affairs director. �I am pleased they are joining our team and I look forward to working with them.�

Lockard is a graduate of the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. Shagren is a graduate of the Edward R. Murrow School of Communication at Washington State University.

Lockard will be paid $70,000 annually, and Shagren will be paid $60,000 annually. Their appointments are effective June 2.

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