Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 10, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke appoints Winterstein to Board of Tax Appeals

OLYMPIA – Gov. Gary Locke today appointed James Winterstein, a tax policy specialist with the state Department of Revenue, to the state Board of Tax Appeals.

Winterstein has been with the state Department of Revenue in Olympia since 1990 where he has been responsible for training public officials statewide for proper administration of property tax laws and providing counsel on legal, policy and legislative issues related to property taxation.

“James has the public and private sector experience to do an outstanding job,” Locke said. “He will approach his service on the state Board of Tax Appeals with skill and fairness.”

From 1980 to 1990, Winterstein practiced law at a private firm in Olympia. In that capacity, his emphasis was administrative law and government contracts. Prior to 1980, he served as in-house counsel for two small contracting companies, one in Spokane and one in Olympia, from 1976 to 1979.

Witnerstein served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand from 1965 to 1968, and worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development in Laos from 1968 to 1969.

Winterstein graduated from the University of Idaho in 1965, and received his law degree from Gonzaga University in 1976.

The Board of Tax Appeals resolves appeals of taxpayers and taxing authorities to maintain public confidence in the state tax system. The board consists of three salaried members appointed for six-year terms.

Winterstein will fill the position vacated by Ann Anderson following her resignation from the board. His term expires March 1, 2003.

Winterstein will be paid $75,698 annually.

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Related Links:
- Washington State Board of Tax Appeals
- Washington State Department of Revenue

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