News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 8, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke names new regents to University of Washington

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke announced today the appointment of three new regents for the University of Washington. They replace members whose terms had expired.

The newest members of the University of Washington Board of Regents are Gerald Grinstein of Bellevue, chairman of Delta Air Lines; Ark Chin of Seattle, a retired engineer; and Jeff Brotman of Bellevue, who helped found Costco Wholesale.

Locke said he is very pleased to be able to appoint such outstanding individuals to these critical leadership positions.

"It's a testament to the quality and vitality of the University of Washington that such accomplished citizens are eager to serve on the board of regents," Locke said. "Having known these three business and community leaders for many years, I'm certain they will serve the University of Washington and the educational needs of our entire state with great distinction."

Grinstein, chairman of the board of Delta Air Lines, served as chairman and chief executive officer of Burlington Northern Inc. from 1989 until 1995. Prior to his service at BNI, he was chairman and CEO of Western Airlines. He was a partner at the Seattle law firm of Preston, Thorgrimson, Ellis & Holman from 1969 to 1983. Grinstein serves on the board of directors for four firms, including PACCAR Inc. and Sundstrand Corporation. Grinstein served as chief counsel for the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee. He is a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School and a director on the board for the Seattle Symphony. Grinstein's term expires Sept. 30, 2004.

Chin was president and CEO for Kramer, Chin & Mayo, Inc., a Seattle engineering firm with clients worldwide, until his retirement in 1989. Chin earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Washington. He was named Engineer of the Year in 1990 by the Washington Society of Professional Engineers.

Chin has been involved in so many community activities that he was named First Citizen of Seattle in 1989. Chin has served as chairman of the board of trustees for Western Washington University. He established a scholarship for helping needy pre-schoolers learn to read and a scholarship for civil engineering students at the University of Washington. Chin's term runs until Sept. 30, 2003.

Brotman, who helped found Costco Wholesale and a number of other specialty retail chains, represents the third generation in his family to participate in manufacturing, wholesaling and retail merchandising in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Washington, and currently serves on the board of directors for major firms such as Seafirst Bank and Starbucks Coffee. Brotman is a trustee of the University of Washington Medical Center, the Seattle Art Museum and United Way of King County. Brotman led United Way of King County's 1997 fundraising campaign, which achieved the largest increase in new dollars raised of any United Way in the country over the 77-year history of United Way. He serves a term expiring Sept. 30, 2004.

Locke said, "Education is the most critical ingredient to a bright and prosperous future for our state and our citizens. The leaders I am appointing today have the energy and dedication necessary to play pivotal roles in helping the University of Washington meet the tremendous challenges of the future."

All three members begin serving their terms immediately.

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