FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Feb. 7, 1996

Governor's budget director to assume key post at Evergreen State College

OLYMPIA - Gov. Mike Lowry today announced that Ruta Fanning, who heads the state Office of Financial Management, has accepted a position as vice president for finance and administration for The Evergreen State College. Fanning will begin her new role March 15.

Lowry said that while he will greatly miss Fanning's expertise and insight, the college couldn't have made a better choice.

"The entire Evergreen community is extremely fortunate to have someone of Ruta's caliber take on this new challenge," Lowry said. "Her skills and experience in working with state budget issues and with the state Legislature will be greatly missed. Still, I know this is an incredible opportunity for her and I wish her all the best."

As one of three vice presidents at the college, Fanning's responsibilities will include developing and implementing policies and programs related to finance and other key issues. Along with other executive officers, Fanning will help create overall strategies and objectives designed to integrate the needs of the college's students, faculty and staff, as well as the entire state.

Fanning has a long career in budget management, having served as staff director for the House Appropriations Committee, staff coordinator of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, and budget director for the Washington Department of Corrections before joining the state Office of Financial Management in January 1993. She was appointed OFM director in October 1993.

The Evergreen State College, located in Olympia, is Washington's only four-year statewide public liberal arts institution. The college was opened in 1971 and has an enrollment of about 3,500 students.

The governor has not named a successor to replace Fanning at OFM.

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For more information, contact the Governor's Communications Office at 360-753-6790.