Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 9, 1997
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke appoints seven more cabinet agency directors

SEATTLE - Gov.-elect Gary Locke today announced the second group of his executive cabinet appointments when he introduced the directors of seven state agencies during a news conference in Seattle.

The new appointments brought to 13 the number of cabinet positions filled this week by the governor-elect, who takes office Jan. 15. Locke on Tuesday announced the appointments of six agency heads as well as five key governor's office staff.

"Throughout the transition, we have sought the best talent available for key administration posts," Locke said during the news conference at the Port of Seattle's Bell Harbor International Conference Center.

"This group reflects our success. This team features innovative, experienced administrators at every position," he said.

Locke announced the following appointments of agency directors: Lyle Quasim as secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services; Tom Fitzsimmons at the Department of Ecology; Merritt Long at the Lottery Commission; Bruce Miyahara at the Department of Health; Dennis Karras at the Department of Personnel; Jim Jesernig at the Department of Agriculture; and Steve Kolodney at the Department of Information Services.

Lyle Quasim is being reappointed to the DSHS secretary's position he has held since December 1995. Quasim served as assistant DSHS secretary for health and rehabilitative services from 1993 to 1995, and was director of the Safe Streets Campaign in Tacoma from 1988 to 1993. He also worked at DSHS from 1972 to 1988.

Tom Fitzsimmons has been the director of Locke's transition effort since early November. He has served since 1986 as the chief administrative officer for Thurston County. He worked five years as a program development manager for the King County executive's office, and was a consultant to 24 Northwest Indian tribes on management and community development issues.

Merritt Long has been the director of the state Human Rights Commission since 1993. He also served for seven years as the executive director of the State Board for Vocational Education. In all, Long has 28 years of experience in state government management positions.

Bruce Miyahara is being reappointed to the Health Department director's job he has held since 1993. Miyahara has extensive experience in public health, having served for 14 years in a variety of leadership positions with the Seattle/King County Public Health Department. In the 1970s, he was director of the International District Community Health Center in Seattle.

Dennis Karras is being reappointed to the Personnel Department director's job he has held since 1993. Karras served as deputy chief clerk of the state House of Representatives from 1982 to 1993. He has served as the chair of the Governor's Task Force on Domestic Violence and the Governor's Task Force on Sexual Harassment Prevention.

Jim Jesernig has served as Agriculture Department director since 1993. Jesernig represented the Tri Cities in the Legislature from 1987 to 1993. He served the 8th Legislative District for two terms in the House before moving to the Senate in 1990. Jesernig received his bachelor's degree from Washington State University and his law degree from the University of Washington.

Steve Kolodney is being reappointed to the DIS director's job that he has held since August 1995. He came to Washington after serving as the appointee of two Republican California governors as that state's director of the Office of Information Technology. Kolodney also serves as convener of Washington state's K-20 Telecommunications Oversight and Policy Committee.

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