Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 31, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Announces Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Gov. Gary Locke today announced the following appointments to state boards and commissions:

Academic Achievement and Accountability Commission

Richard Esparza of Grandview has been appointed to a term ending Sept. 30, 2007. Esparza is high school principal with Granger School District. The Academic Achievement and Accountability Commission provide oversight of the state’s educational accountability system.

Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation

Glen Hallman of Bellingham and Bernice Robinson of Federal Way have been reappointed to terms ending June 30, 2006. The Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation develops standards and strategies for coordinating special needs transportation.

Collection Agency Board

Diana Saguchi of Seattle has been appointed to a term ending Dec. 31, 2007. Saguchi is an attorney with Northwest Justice Project. The Collection Agency Board regulates collection agencies within the state; holds disciplinary hearings; and recommends and adopts rules and regulations for administering the regulatory law.

Commission on Judicial Conduct

Frederick Hellberg of Olympia has been appointed to a term ending June 16, 2007. Hellberg is a former policy advisor to Governors Gardner, Lowry and Locke. The Commission on Judicial Conduct reviews complaints alleging possible violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct and enforces the state ethics legislation for all members and employees of the state judicial system.

Criminal Justice Training Commission

Karen Daniels of Olympia has been appointed to a term ending June 30, 2007. Daniels is chief deputy of corrections at the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. The Criminal Justice Training Commission develops and implements training standards and programs designed to upgrade criminal justice personnel and establishes standards relating to physical, mental and moral fitness for recruiting criminal justice personnel.

Developmental Disabilities Council

Lawrence Garman of Montesano and Laethan Wene of Seattle have been appointed to terms ending June 30, 2007. Garman is the meat department manager for a Top Foods Store. Wene is the janitor and maintenance person for Arby’s.

Diane Zottman of Seattle, Erin Platts of Covington and Mike Hatch of Snohomish have been reappointed to terms ending June 30, 2007. The Developmental Disabilities Council advises the governor on issues and trends in providing services to developmentally disabled individuals and acts as their advocate and as a planning entity.

Economic Development Finance Authority

Robert Meredith of Seattle has been appointed to a term ending Oct. 19, 2007. Meredith is the former district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration in Seattle. The Economic Development Finance Authority helps small and medium sized businesses meet their capital needs.

Emergency Medical Services/Trauma Care Steering Committee

Judith Puzon of Enumclaw has been appointed to a term ending Aug. 15, 2006. Puzon is a preventative health service director for Sea Mar Community Health Centers.

Eileen Bulger of Seattle, Gregory Jurkovich of Seattle, Brian Hurley of Olympia, Cynthia Markus of Seattle, and Linda Kohlman Thomson of Bellingham have been reappointed to terms ending Aug. 15, 2007. The Emergency Medical Services/Trauma Care Steering Committee reviews the requirements for pre-hospital emergency and ambulance services throughout the state and the proposed administrative rules relating to emergency medical services; reviews regional emergency management plans and recommends changes; and advises on rules regarding poison information centers.

Governor’s Council on Substance Abuse

Joel Chavez of Pasco has been appointed to a term ending August 3, 2005. Chavez is a substance abuse prevention specialist for the Benton/Franklin Counties Department of Human Services.

Suzanne Moreau of Marysville and Yvonne Wong Rivers of Spokane have been reappointed to terms ending August 3, 2007. The Governor’s Council on Substance Abuse advises the governor on issues and programs relating to substance abuse; assists with implementing strategies to support community efforts to reduce substance abuse; and promotes public awareness and education.


Municipal Research Council

Kim Owen of Union Gap has been appointed to a term ending July 31, 2005. Owen is Mayor-Pro Tem for the city of Union Gap. The Municipal Research Council assures that cities and towns have a comprehensive research and service program.

Pipeline Safety Commission

Leo Bowman of Richland and Katherine Hansen of Woodinville have been appointed to terms ending July 31, 2007. Bowman is a Benton County commissioner. Hansen is an attorney in private practice. The Pipeline Safety Commission advises the Utilities and Transportation Commission and other appropriate federal, state and local government agencies and officials on matters relating to hazardous liquid and gas pipeline safety, routing, construction, operation, and maintenance. The committee reviews and comments on proposed rules and on the operation of the state pipeline safety program.

Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee

Philip E. Ruhmshottel of Vancouver has been appointed to a term ending July 1, 2006. Ruhmshottel is the former commandant for the Northwest Division of the Marine Corps League. The Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee advises the governor and director of the Department of Veterans Affairs on state programs related to veterans, their dependents and survivors.

Washington State School for the Deaf Board of Trustees

Dolorita K. Reandeau of Port Orchard has been reappointed to a term ending July 1, 2009. The Washington State School for the Deaf Board of Trustees serves the educational needs of hearing-impaired students from throughout the state.

» Return to this month's News Releases

» View News Release Archive