Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 14, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke names Marilyn Showalter to chair WUTC

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke today named Marilyn Showalter, his senior policy advisor on energy and telecommunications, to chair the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.

Showalter replaces Anne Levinson, who earlier this week resigned the chair to accept the nomination of a judgeship in the Seattle Municipal Court.

Locke said Showalter will bring years of experience in a variety of areas to the commission.

"I've known Marilyn for at least 22 years since we served together in the prosecutor's office in King County," Locke said. "Marilyn has been a key advisor on energy and telecommunications issues, as well as government and legislative relations at all levels. I look forward to her leadership in maintaining the balance between consumer protection and industry competition."

Showalter, 48, said she looks forward to the new challenge.

"Both consumers and companies face challenging times, as the telecommunications and energy industries become more competitive," Showalter said. "The role of the UTC is to protect consumers in a way that is fair to the companies, and to play a constructive role in the transformation of these industries. As one who has chosen a career of public service, I'm honored that Governor Locke has chosen me to serve in a job that is full of opportunities to make sound policies and fair decisions."

Showalter is a 1975 graduate of the Harvard Law School, having also received her undergraduate degree from Harvard. She taught juvenile law at Seattle University, and worked her way up from a legal intern to senior deputy prosecuting attorney in the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office from 1974 to 1981.

Showalter then joined the Office of the Governor in 1981 as counsel to then-Governor John Spellman. For a short time in 1984, she served as acting executive officer for the Sentencing Guidelines Commission in Olympia. In 1985, she moved into private practice with the lawfirm of Foster Pepper and Shefelman. She was also an adjunct professor of law at the University of Puget Sound School of Law in Tacoma.

In 1989, Showalter returned to public service when she joined the Washington State House of Representatives, serving in both legal and management roles. During that time, she served with Locke when he was chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and she was counsel to the Committee. She served as chief clerk of the House in 1994, after which she returned to private practice and consulting.

Showalter joined Locke's policy team in 1997, working on issues ranging from energy and telecommunications to civil law, revenue, tax appeals, financial institutions, information services, insurance, investment, administrative hearings and state patrol. She also serves as the governor's representative to the Northwest Energy Review Transition Board.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) regulates the rates and services of telecommunications companies; investor-owned electric utilities, natural gas and water companies; garbage-collection haulers; residential moving and charter-bus companies; commercial ferries; railroad safety; petroleum pipelines and one low-level radioactive waste site within the state.

The commission consists of three members who are appointed to staggered six-year terms by the governor and confirmed by the Washington state Senate. Under state law, no more than two commissioners may belong to the same political party.

Showalter, who lives in Olympia, will assume her new responsibilities in mid-February, and the position carries an annual salary of $96,469 a year.

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