News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 21, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Appoints Cabinet Director as Coordinator for Boeing 7E7 Project; Names New CTED Director

Gov. Gary Locke today appointed Martha Choe, director of the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), to serve as the state coordinator for the Boeing 7E7 project.



Joining Choe on the 7E7 project team will be Robin Pollard, assistant director of economic development at CTED who assisted Choe in leading the state’s 7E7 proposal. Pollard will be assigned to a continuing role as CTED’s project manager for the 7E7 final assembly site implementation team, effective immediately.



With Choe and Pollard assuming new duties, Locke today named Juli Wilkerson as the new director of CTED. Wilkerson will leave her post as director of the economic development department for the City of Tacoma, a position she has held since January 1999.



Locke said he is proud to have Wilkerson at the helm of CTED. “Juli has a very impressive background in economic development and is the best person to build on the many successes of the agency,” Locke said. “As we continue to focus even more on economic development and job creation in our state, I am confident that Juli will do great things.”



The governor also thanked Choe for her work leading the agency.



“Martha has done an outstanding job as head of CTED, with incredible results,” Locke said. “Under Martha’s leadership, the agency has helped create thousands of new jobs in our state, attract hundreds of new companies, help existing companies grow and expand, and develop more international trade opportunities for our businesses and farmers.



“Martha spearheaded our state’s 7E7 proposal, and our state owes her a debt of immense gratitude for securing Boeing commercial airplane production – and thousands of family-wage jobs – in Washington state for decades to come.



“The next steps in implementing our 7E7 agreement with Boeing are critical,” Locke said. “We need the expertise and knowledge of both Martha and Robin to ensure the long term success of the 7E7.”



Choe said, “I am honored to serve in this role. The coordination involved in the implementation of this agreement will be significant, and I’m pleased to have the opportunity to carry through what we started when we set out to win the 7E7 bid.”



During Choe’s tenure as director, CTED established a strategic direction for the state’s economic and community development activities. CTED has funded more than $15.8 million in rural infrastructure projects, which created more than 2,900 jobs; led successful trade missions to five of the state’s top trade partners – China, Mexico, France, Japan and South Korea; launched a successful Web-based tourism marketing initiative; and helped manage one of the nation’s most successful transitional employment programs.



Prior to joining CTED, Choe served two terms on the Seattle City Council. She previously enjoyed careers in banking as a vice president with the Bank of California, Seattle, and in teaching high school English.



Choe serves as a member of the board of directors of the Frye Art Museum and is a past member of the Seattle University board of trustees, Leadership Tomorrow and the Asian Pacific Women’s Leadership Institute. She is a past chair of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, appointed by former President Bill Clinton. The Puget Sound Business Journal named Choe a top newsmaker in 1999, 2001 and 2003.



In her new position, Pollard will manage aspects of implementing Washington’s proposal to Boeing, including coordination of state and local agency work, serving as a point of contact among state agencies and the company on day-to-day issues, and other specific responsibilities in the agreement between the state and Boeing. She will also monitor timelines and ensure that deadlines are met, as well as assist with legislative and policy initiatives required to fulfill the state’s commitment.



“Robin was key as the project manager in developing the proposal to win the Boeing 7E7 final assembly facility for Washington state,” Choe said. “She has been tireless and unwavering in her commitment to our state’s economic growth and a champion for the 7E7 project.”



Pollard said, “I have appreciated the opportunity to lead a great team of economic development professionals at CTED and am proud of our many accomplishments. The way in which the state implements the 7E7 proposal will have a huge influence on future business development projects in the state. I am very excited about this new challenge.”



Pollard has served as assistant director of economic development at CTED for three years. She was responsible for development and delivery of the state’s economic development programs, ranging from infrastructure development to business development marketing. Pollard oversaw a $37.5 million budget and a staff of 50.



During her tenure, Pollard worked on a multi-billion-dollar expansion project to support the semiconductor industry, established a film industry task force and organized the first-ever Governor’s Conference on Economic Development. A replacement for Pollard has not yet been announced.



Pollard has more than 15 years’ experience in small business assistance, business development and tourism in the state. Prior to her role as assistant director, Pollard served as the managing director of the state Tourism Office. Previously, Pollard served as director of the State Business Assistance Center and managed the Governor’s Small Business Improvement Council under Gov. Booth Gardner. She was instrumental in establishing a streamlined business license system known as the Unified Business Identifier (UBI).



Wilkerson said she is excited to assume her new CTED role. “I am honored to serve the governor and the citizens of Washington state,” Wilkerson said. “I have worked with CTED for many years as economic development director in Tacoma, and I am very familiar with the agency. My goal is to build on the momentum we already have established and further improve economic development across the entire state.”



As director of economic development for the City of Tacoma, Wilkerson oversaw a full-time staff of 55 and a biennial budget of $10 million, including $1 million in marketing contracts. She also administered $15 million in federal and state grants and loans. Wilkerson also oversaw staffing for a Public Development Authority and five city commissions.



Wilkerson has previously worked as director of Tacoma’s Planning and Development Services Department and as assistant city manager in Tacoma. She also served as assistant director of communications and operations for the state Department of Revenue, and held various positions in the state Attorney General’s office. She also worked as a junior high school teacher in Omaha, Neb.



Wilkerson holds a bachelor’s in secondary education and social sciences from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln; a master’s in secondary education from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln; and a law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law. She is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, the Washington Economic Development Association Board, the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County, and the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce Board, among others.



In September 2003, the Business Examiner named Wilkerson one of the 2003 Women of Influence in the South Sound region. In September 2002, Locke and CTED named Wilkerson one of three key economic development leaders in the state. Wilkerson will assume her new CTED role on Jan. 30 and will earn $115,000 annually.



Through key partnerships, CTED provides financial and technical resources to local communities and organizations to help build strong social, environmental and economic foundations. The agency works to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all of Washington’s citizens.



CTED’s Housing Services, Community Services and Local Government divisions address a wide range of issues facing communities, from farm worker housing and historic preservation, to early childhood education and growth management. The agency’s Economic Development, International Trade, Energy Policy and WorkFirst divisions address the promotion of job creation, two-way trade, economic growth, rural development and statewide energy strategy.



Several boards, commissions and councils operate within CTED, including the state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, the Community Economic Revitalization Board, the state Public Works Board and the state Building Code Council.



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