FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Feb. 15, 1996

Lowry appoints members to boards and commissions

OLYMPIA - Gov. Mike Lowry today announced appointments to the State Gambling Commission and Public Disclosure Commission. The governor also named three new members to the boards of trustees of Edmonds Community College, Big Bend Community College, and Skagit Valley Community College.

Former Snohomish County Council member Elizabeth McLaughlin was named to a position on the state Gambling Commission. McLaughlin, 66, was born and raised in Monroe and attended both Everett Community College (EvCC) and Western Washington University. After 19 years with the Family Life Program at EvCC, she went to work for U.S. Representative Al Swift. In 1986, she was appointed to the Snohomish County Council and was re-elected three times.

"Liz has tremendous experience in government operations and a strong dedication to Washington's quality of life and I'm sure she will make an excellent commissioner," Lowry said. She will serve the remainder of Don Phelps' term, which expires June 30, 2001. There are five members on the State Gambling Commission.

Barbara S. Cothern has been appointed to the Public Disclosure Commission, which enforces the state's public disclosure law. A graduate of Seattle University, Cothern is a former state legislator from the 1st district, north of Seattle, and has worked for the Northshore School Board, the Shoreline School Board and the Washington State School Directors Association. She also served as office manager for the Coalition for Open Government, which worked to pass the state public disclosure law in the early 1970s.

Cothern, 64, replaces Irene Heninger, whose term expired. She will serve through the year 2000.

Mary Helen Roberts has been named to the Edmonds Community College Board of Trustees. Roberts, 48, is a consultant with extensive community-planning experience on such issues as high-capacity transit and growth management. She also has led workshops on the issue of child abuse and neglect for the Alliance for Children, Youth and Families.

Roberts has a broad background in state, local and federal government and served as executive director of the Washington State Women's Council under former Gov. Dan Evans. She is a Portland native and 13-year resident of Snohomish County. Roberts replaces Vaughn Sherman, whose term has expired, and will serve through September 1998.

Brian Stiles has been named to the Skagit Valley Community College Board of Trustees. Stiles, 40, is an attorney with Stiles & Stiles Inc., P.S. in Sedro-Woolley, with emphasis on personal injury and workers' compensation issues. He served as prosecutor and general counsel for the City of Sedro-Woolley from 1982-83, and has been a judge pro tem for Skagit County district and municipal courts.

Stiles is Skagit County native and a member of the Skagit Valley College Foundation Board. He is president of the Sedro-Woolley Rotary Club. Stiles replaces Arline Miller, whose term has expired. He will serve through September 2000.

Erica Hennings has been named to the Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees. Hennings, who lives in Ritzville, is a board member and part owner in Spectrum Crop Development, Inc., an alternative crop-development company. She is also a homemaker and partner in a family farm, raising wheat, barley and canola.

Hennings, 37, serves on the newly formed Adams County Parks an Recreation District #4, and is involved with 4-H activities in Ritzville. She is a Yakima native and a graduate of Washington State University.

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