FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 10, 1996

Lowry announces board and commission appointments

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Mike Lowry today announced the following board and commission appointments.

Legislative Ethics Board

Paul J. Aldinger of Cathlamet has been reappointed to the Legislative Ethics Board. Aldinger is a retired Clark College political science professor. During his 30-year tenure, he received several awards for excellence including the Clark College Exceptional Faculty Teaching Award and three National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships.

In addition to his current role as chairman of the Legislative Ethics Board, Aldinger serves as co-editor of the Clark County History Journal. He is affiliated with the Alternatives for Washington Task Force, Fort Vancouver Historical Society, and Design for Clark County. His term expires in 2001.

The Legislative Ethics Board enforces state ethics legislation with respect to members of the Legislature and legislative employees.

Small Business Improvement Council

Cynthia A. Sypolt of Spokane has been appointed to the Small Business Improvement Council. Sypolt is a Washington state assistant attorney general focusing on worker's compensation, licensing and consumer protection and is currently starting an import business with Mexico. She graduated with honors from both Gonzaga University and Gonzaga University Law School.

In addition to her legal work, Sypolt is affiliated with several community boards and organizations, including the Washington State Bar Association, Inland Empire Hispanic Association, Hispanic Business/Professional Association, Spokane Police Department Citizens Academy, and the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment. Her term expires 2000.

The Small Business Improvement Council identifies regulatory, administrative and legislative proposals that will improve the entrepreneurial environment for small businesses, and advises state business programs on policies and practices.

Council on Aging

Bruce R. Stell of Arlington has been appointed to the Council on Aging. Stell, a former store manager, is a grandparent raising two grandchildren. He also is active with several community senior organizations including the Snohomish County Council on Aging, the Stillaguamish Senior Center, Senior Nutrition Advisory Council and the Arlington American Legion. Stell replaces Robert O'Callahan, who served two terms. His term expires in 1999.

Robert M. Hadley of Yakima has been appointed to the Council on Aging. Hadley is self employed as a certified master gem cutter. He is an active senior volunteer with the Shepherd Center Program, Tape Ministry to Shut-ins, and Tax Counseling for the Elderly. He also is affiliated with several community boards and organizations and serves as chairman of both the Yakima County Advisory Council and the Southeast Washington Executive Advisory Council. Hadley is a former president of the Wesley Homes Retirement Home Board of Trustees. He replaces Robert Thomsen, who served two terms. Hadley's term expires in 1999.

The Council on Aging advises the governor and the state Department of Social and Health Services on policies, programs, and services affecting older people.

Developmental Disabilities Planning Council

Patrick Maynard, Ph.D., of Bothell, has been newly appointed to the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council. Maynard, a graduate of Ohio State, Pepperdine, and Ohio Universities, is currently executive director of United Cerebral Palsy of King and Snohomish Counties.

Dr. Maynard has a broad range of expertise in the disabilities field and lengthy affiliations with various government and private, non-profit organizations in Ohio. He received the 1996 National Leadership Award from the United Cerebral Palsy Association of America, and is a member of the Washington State DSHS Managed Care Feasibility Planning Team. Maynard replaces Greg Devereux, who resigned. His term expires in 1997.

Gaye McClendon of Moses Lake has been newly appointed to the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council. McClendon, a graduate of Central Washington University, is a consultant who has worked in the field of disability issues. She is a board member of Grant County Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, serves on the board of directors of the Special Spurs Foundation, and was volunteer coordinator for the Special Olympics. McClendon replaces Cathy Turgeon, whose term expired. She will serve until 1999.

Mike Rogers of Olympia has also been appointed to the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council. Rogers, a credit solicitor, is vice chairman of the Thurston/Mason Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board and is a board member of the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) and Washington Protection and Advocate Systems. Rogers replaces Dolores Hodgkin, who served two terms. His term expires in 1999.

Robert Chambers of Spokane has been reappointed to the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council. Chambers volunteers as a certified long-term care ombudsman and is a member of the U.S. Postal Service Customer Advisory Council in Spokane. His term expires in 1999.

Ramona Menish of Bellingham has been reappointed to the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council. Menish is a former preschool teacher and is currently an early childhood component coordinator for the Lummi Indian Business Council. She is a member of the Lummi Health and Safety Network and the Lummi Education Facilities Committee, and serves as treasurer of the National Indian Head Start Directors Association. Her term expires in 1999.

Esther Renick of Prescott has been reappointed to the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council. Renick is employed by the University of Washington and has been active in the Children's Hospital Issue Investigation Committee, U.W. Early Intervention, and the Parent to Parent program. Her term expires in 1999.

Debbie Skylstad of Omak has been reappointed to the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council. Skylstad is a developmental disabilities program assistant for Okanogan County, and has served as a coordinator for the Okanogan County Parent to Parent program and as executive director of Sunshine and Happiness, a recreation program for disabled individuals and their families. Skylstad has been active in various community organizations and served as a parent representative for special education interests in the Omak School District. Her term expires in 1999.

The 33-member Developmental Disabilities Planning Council advises the governor on issues and services relating to the developmentally disabled community.

Independent Living Advisory Council

Laurie Ford of Bellevue has been newly appointed to the Independent Living Advisory Council. Ford, a graduate of the University of Oregon, is director of Community Rehabilitation Programs in the Center for Continuing Education in Rehabilitation at Western Washington University. Ford is a published author of works relating to supported employment and vocational training.

She has been active with The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH), the Association for Education of Community Rehabilitation Personnel, National Council on Rehabilitation Education, and Association for Persons in Supported Employment. Her term expires 1997.

James Baker of Vancouver has been appointed to the Independent Living Advisory Council. Baker, a former union negotiator for Boise Cascade, is past president of the Vancouver area Multiple Sclerosis Group and continues to be active in that organization. As a person living with multiple sclerosis, Baker has been a voice for the Americans with Disabilities Act since it became law in 1990. His term expires in 1999.

Charles Grant of Port Angeles has been reappointed to the Independent Living Advisory Council. Grant, a graduate of Lewis and Clark College and San Francisco State University, is a retired vocational rehabilitation administrator for the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind, where he continues to serve as an advisory council member.

Grant is a board member of Diversified Industries, has been active as a vocational consultant for the Veterans Administration, and is affiliated with the American Association of Workers for the Blind, the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the California Governor's Committee for Employment of the Handicapped. His term expires in 1999.

Peggy Shoel of Seattle has been reappointed to the Independent Living Advisory Council. Shoel, a prosthetics-purchasing agent for the Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Seattle, serves as an advisory council member of the Department of Services for the Blind, a board member of the Washington Council of the Blind, and chairwoman of the Department of Services for the Blind Independent Living Advisory Council. Her term expires in 1999.

Lilly Ann Roth of Seattle has been reappointed to the Independent Living Advisory Council. She is an area co-coordinator with America Online, where she founded a successful online support group for people with chronic conditions. Roth has a B.A. degree from Cornell University and performed Ph.D. work at the University of California at Irvine. Her term expires in 1999.

Darryl Gua of Spokane has been also been appointed to the Independent Living Advisory Council. Gua is an American-Indian activist working to allay misconceptions about cultural diversity and disability issues. He works with special projects at the American Indian Community Center and is editor of the Indian Community News of Spokane. He is affiliated with the Washington Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, the Coalition of Responsible Disabled, and the planning committee for the annual Spokane Falls Northwest Indian Encampment and Pow Wow. Gua's appointment follows the death of council member James Salatino. His term expires in 1998.

Willetta E. Jeans of Federal Way has been newly appointed to the Independent Living Advisory Council. Her involvement with disability issues includes work as a volunteer peer support person for stroke survivors as well as organizing activities for Easter Seals and work on the group's newsletter. Her term expires in September, 1997.

Thomas G. Borgails of Tieton has been also been appointed to the Independent Living Advisory Council. Borgails is a tutor/interpreter with Yakima Valley Community College and is a past president of the Yakima Valley Association of the Deaf. He serves as president of the Washington State Association of the Deaf. Borgails replaces Juana Lillion, who has moved out of state. His term expires in September, 1997.

Joseph D. Whaley of Spokane has also been appointed to the Independent Living Advisory Council. Whaley is a former fishing boat captain and fishery owner. He is president of the Coalition of Responsible Disabled and serves on the Multiple Sclerosis Society Board of Directors. His term expires in September, 1997.

Alice R. Parsons of Colville has also been appointed to the Independent Living Advisory Council. She is an advocate for mental health consumers and clients in the Spokane area. Parsons also is a member of the Washington State Mental Health Advisory Committee and statewide mental health consumer organizations that help people become self sufficient. Her term expires in 1999.

The Independent Living Advisory Council advises and assists the state on issues and policies relating to independent living for people with disabilities.

Boiler Rules Commission

Thomas N. Tait of Port Angeles has been appointed to the Boiler Rules Commission. Tait is an operative engineer, crew leader, and superintendent with a Port Angeles pulp mill. A U.S. Navy veteran, Tait has more than 20 years experience in steam plant operations. He replaces James Hedglin, whose term has expired, and will serve until 2000.

The Boiler Rules Commission sets apprenticeship standards for various trades, crafts, and occupations, and administers regulations for approved apprenticeship programs through the state Department of Labor and Industries. In addition, the board formulates rules and regulations for the safe and proper construction, installation, use, operation, and repair of boilers and pressure vessels.

# # #

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