FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 27, 1996

Lowry names new coordinator for southwest Washington office

OLYMPIA - Gov. Mike Lowry announced today that Michael Thomson, a longtime resident of Vancouver, will serve as coordinator of the governor's southwest Washington office.

Thomson, 25, most recently served as an aide to Sen. Al Bauer (D-Vancouver) during the 1996 legislative session and served as a legislative aide to Sen. Dean Sutherland (D-Vancouver) last year.

"Michael is a local resident who understands how to work with, and in, state government," Lowry said. "He'll be of great service to the people of southwest Washington."

As coordinator for the governor's southwest Washington office, Thomson will be responsible for assisting constituents with state government issues, serving as the governor's liaison and representing the governor to local groups and organizations.

"This is a great opportunity to serve the people of southwest Washington," Thomson said. "I look forward to working with everybody in this region of the state."

The governor's office has two field offices, one in Vancouver and the other in Spokane serving Eastern Washington.

Thomson graduated from Fort Vancouver High School in Vancouver and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the Evergreen State College in Olympia. He replaces Sue Sellers who resigned on March 7 to take a position with the American Cancer Society of Oregon.

Thomson officially started his duties on March 20.

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