Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 14, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke names new chief of staff and policy director

OLYMPIA – Gov. Gary Locke today named Fred Kiga, director of the state Department of Revenue, as his new chief of staff, and Sam Sperry, former editor at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, as his new policy director. Both Kiga and Sperry will begin their jobs effective Dec. 1.

Kiga, 49, will replace Paul Isaki, who is leaving his post as chief of staff to assume a new role as the governor’s special assistant for business. Will Rice, deputy director at the state Department of Revenue, will serve as the agency’s acting director until a replacement is named by Locke.

“I have known Fred a very long time and am pleased that he accepted my offer,” Locke said. “To accomplish my aggressive legislative agenda and policy goals, I need someone who understands the legislative process in Olympia. As an agency director for the past five years, Fred has proven to be a talented and popular leader.”

“I am honored to serve the governor in this new capacity,” Kiga said. “I look forward to the many challenges that lie ahead.”

Kiga has served as the state’s revenue director since January 1997. Prior to that, Kiga worked as a manager at Arthur Andersen and as a vice-president for corporate analysis at Washington Mutual.

He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in 1974 and a master’s and a law degree from the University of Washington in 1979.

Kiga, who is married with one daughter, will earn an annual salary of $130,668.

Sperry, 60, will replace Carol Jolly who has served as the governor’s acting policy director since December 2000. Jolly will resume her role as deputy policy director.

“I believe Sam’s unique background in community and public affairs make him the right candidate for this position,” the governor said. “As a newspaper editor and reporter and as an executive with the Seattle and King County governments, he has played a key role in developing and managing public policy and program development.”

“I want to thank Carol for her help and leadership during the past year,” Locke continued. “I know Carol and Sam will work well together and that she will be a great help to Sam in his new role.”

“I am delighted and honored by the governor’s appointment,” Sperry said. “I am eager to begin working with Carol, the policy staff and the governor.”

Sperry has worked at the Seattle public affairs firm Gogerty Stark Marriott since May 2000 providing public affairs and strategic communications counsel. Prior to that, Sperry worked in various jobs in both the public and private sector. This includes time as an editor at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, vice-president for community affairs with the Seattle Mariners, press secretary to King County Executive Randy Revelle, director of the City of Seattle’s energy office and Seattle Times staff reporter.

Sperry graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from Seattle University in 1965 and earned a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Oregon in 1970.

He is married with four children and will earn an annual salary of $105,000.

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Related Links:
- Office of Financial Management
- Department of Revenue

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