FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 13, 1996

Lowry names Robinson acting state budget director

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Mike Lowry today named Gary Robinson acting director of the state Office of Financial Management (OFM), calling Robinson a "seasoned professional" with nearly 20 years of experience in state government.

Robinson, who has served as deputy director of the state's central budget agency since August 1994, replaces Ruta Fanning, who is leaving OFM to become Vice President of Finance and Administration at the Evergreen State College.

Since joining OFM in 1984, Robinson has managed several divisions within the agency. Before that, he worked as a policy analyst for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, and for non-partisan committees in the state Senate and House of Representatives.

"Gary Robinson is a seasoned professional with a solid record of effective management in state government," Lowry said. "He not only knows the state budget inside and out, but also brings a high degree of expertise in economic forecasting, demographics, and information technology. Gary is an obvious choice for the job and someone who can hit the ground running."

Robinson said he will continue ongoing efforts to improve the state's budget process with a focus on long-range financial planning. As part of his duties as acting OFM director, he will serve on the state Economic and Revenue Forecasting Council, the Information Services Board, and the Sentencing Guidelines Commission.

"We are currently preparing to move the state to performance-based budgeting," Robinson said. "Public resources are limited and taxpayers want to know exactly what they are getting for their money. Our job is to make sure that the governor, the Legislature, and public have the information they need to make the best possible decisions about the financial future of our state."

Robinson holds a bachelor's degree in political studies from Pitzer College in Claremont, California and a Master of Public Administration degree from The Evergreen State College.

A native of Spokane, Robinson is married with two children. As acting director of OFM, he will earn $115,824 per year.

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