Gov. Gregoire announces boards and commissions appointments

For Immediate Release: June 30, 2008

Citizens appointed from Gig Harbor, Graham, Greenwater, Kennewick, Lacey, Maple Valley, Olympia, Seattle, Sedro-Woolley, Spokane, Stevenson, Tacoma, University Place

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

Eastern Washington Hospital Advisory Board

Patricia Morgan of Spokane has been reappointed to a term effective May 2, 2008, ending Dec. 5, 2011. Morgan is an attorney with P.B. Morgan and Associates, PLLC. She serves on the Allegro Baroque and Beyond Board and previously served on the Spokane County Domestic Violence Consortium Board.

The board monitors the operation and activities of the hospital; reviews and advises on its budget; makes recommendations to the governor and the Legislature for improving the quality of service provided; and consults with the secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services on the selection of a superintendent.

Electrical Board

Don Kopczynski of Spokane has been reappointed to a term effective July 8, 2008, ending July 7, 2012. Kopczynski is vice president of operations for Avista. He currently serves on the Fairmont Memorial Board, University of Idaho � North Idaho Advisory Board and the American Gas Association.

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

Fire Protection Policy Board

Scott Kramer of Lacey has been appointed to a term effective April 21, 2008, ending April 15, 2011. Kramer is a team manager with State Farm Insurance. He has also been a loss control representative with State Farm�s corporate headquarters. Kramer is currently a member of the Western Washington Football Officials Association.

Wayne Weinholz of Graham has been reappointed to a term effective April 21, 2008, ending April 15, 2011. Weinholz is the fire marshall for the Pierce County Fire Prevention Bureau. He has more than 34 years of experience as a firefighter, fire inspector and EMT. Weinholz is a member of several professional organizations, including the Washington State Association of Fire Marshalls, Pierce County Fire Chiefs Association and the International Fire Code Institute.

The board sets policy on fire protection matters. It also advises and assists the chief of the Washington State Patrol and the director of WSP�s Fire Protection Bureau on all fire protection matters and in developing a budget.

Funeral Directors and Embalmers Board

Kathy Mathews of Greenwater has been reappointed to a term effective July 2, 2008, ending July 1, 2013. Mathews is the funeral home director for Weeks� Funeral Home. She is a member of the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards.

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

Municipal Research Council

Michael Garvison of Stevenson has been appointed to a term effective May 2, 2008, ending July 31, 2009. Garvison is the Skamania County auditor. He currently serves on the board of trustees of the Washington Association of Counties. He is also a member of the state auditor�s Local Government Advisory Committee, and sits on the board of directors for the Washougal Schools Foundation and the East Clark County Little League.

The council ensures that Washington cities and towns have a comprehensive research and service program.

Washington State Board of Nursing Home Administrators

Stacy Mesaros of Gig Harbor has been reappointed to term effective May 29, 2008, ending May 29, 2013. Mesaros is an administrator for HCR ManorCare.

The board protects the public�s health and safety by regulating the competency and quality of nursing home administrators.

Pierce College Board of Trustees

Arlene Joe of University Place has been appointed to a term effective May 8, 2008, ending Sept. 30, 2011. Joe is an attorney in private practice specializing in civil legal practice. She volunteers as a pro bono attorney with Volunteer Legal Services and is completing her internship as a mediator with the Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution. In addition, she is a member of several professional organizations, including the Pierce County Minority Bar Association and the Washington State Bar Association.

The board governs the community college district.

Public Employment Relations Commission

Tom McLane of Spokane has been appointed to a term effective May 14, 2008, ending Sept. 8, 2009. McLane is an attorney with Allen & McLane, P.C. He graduated from George Washington University with a degree in labor law and practices labor and employment law. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the Washington and Idaho State Bar associations and the American Bar Association.

The commission provides uniform and impartial settlement of public employee-employer disputes.

Property and Liability Advisory Board

Gayla Gjertsen of Olympia has been appointed to a term effective May 12, 2008, ending Dec. 31, 2009. Gjertsen is the assistant director for insurance services for the Association of Washington Cities. She is the past president of the Washington Finance Officers Association and the Washington Cities Insurance Authority. In addition, she has been a member of the Tumwater Rotary for the past 18 years and is the club treasurer.

The board assists the state risk manager in adopting rules governing the operation and management of both individual and joint self-insurance programs covering liability and property risks. It also reviews and approves the creation of joint self-insurance programs covering property or liability risks.

Professional Educator Standards Boards

Ann Pulkkinen of Maple Valley has been appointed to a term effective May 5, 2008, ending June 30, 2012. Pulkkinen is a social worker with the Tahoma School District. She has also worked with the Tacoma School District in the Head Start program and as a social worker.

Theodore Howard of Seattle has been appointed to a term effective May 5, 2008, ending June 30, 2010. Howard is principal of Garfield High School in the Seattle School District. He has a bachelor�s degree in elementary education and a master�s degree in education administration.

John Hagney of Spokane has been appointed to a term effective May 5, 2008, ending June 30, 2009. Hagney is a high school teacher with the Spokane School District, where he teaches honors humanities and history as well as community-based learning. In addition, he is an adjunct professor at Spokane Falls Community College and Eastern Washington University.

The board is responsible for state policies and requirements for the preparation, certification, assignment and continuing education of certified education professionals.

Washington State Employee Combined Fund Drive Committee

Rep. Jim Moeller of Vancouver has been appointed to a term effective May 1, 2008, ending Jan. 1, 2009. Moeller represents the 49th Legislative District. When the Legislature is not in session, he is a chemical dependency counselor with Kaiser Permanente. Moeller served on the Vancouver City Council from 1995�2002, and has been a member of several boards, including the Governor�s Task Force on Substance Abuse and the Clark College Advisory Committee on Chemical Dependency.

The Combined Fund Drive is a mechanism whereby state employees are able to donate money to be distributed to a variety of charitable organizations.

Washington State Traffic Safety Commission

Connie Ladenburg of Tacoma has been appointed to a term effective May 12, 2008, ending at the governor�s pleasure. Ladenburg is serving her second term on Tacoma�s City Council and served as deputy mayor in 2005. She serves on several committees, including the Public Safety and Human Services Committee and the Economic Development and Appointments Committee. Ladenburg also represents the city of Tacoma on the Economic Development District Committee and the Joint Municipal Action Committee. In addition, she serves as an alternate to the Law Enforcement Support Agency Board, and at the National League of Cities.

Sharon Dillon of Sedro-Woolley has been appointed to a term effective May 12, 2008, ending at the governor�s pleasure. Dillon is a Skagit County commissioner and served as the mayor of Sedro- Woolley from 2000�07. She is a member of several community groups, including the Skagit Council of Governments, Skagit Transit Board, Northwest Clean Air, Skagit County Community Action Agency Board and Helping Hands Food Bank Board.

The commission promotes traffic safety through educational campaigns, law enforcement support and roadway engineering solutions.

Washington State Health Insurance Pool

William Perkins has been reappointed to a term effective June 1, 2008, ending May 31, 2011. Perkins is chief executive officer of GHB Insurance. He serves on the National Association of Insurance and Finance Advisors, Brokers Health Insurance Network, Sustainable Healthcare Access Council. Perkins is a member of the Olympia Youth Chorus and the South Puget Sound Community College Advisory Board.

The pool works with the Health Care Authority to implement the state�s new Health Insurance Partnership, which is charged with providing Washingtonians access to more affordable health insurance. The board of directors develops and approves policies to enroll subscribers, design health plans in the pool, and set premium and contribution levels.

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