News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 22, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke names new directors for agriculture, information services and communications

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today named Valoria Loveland, former state senator, to direct the state Department of Agriculture, Stuart McKee, a former Walt Disney Company executive, to direct the state Department of Information Services, and Roger Nyhus, a Seattle public relations executive, to direct communications for the governor's office.

Loveland, 58, has served as government relations director at Nuvotec since 2001. She will replace Bill Brookreson, who has served as acting director at Agriculture since the departure of Jim Jesernig. Brookreson will resume his duties as the department's deputy director.

"Agriculture in our state is facing a number of challenges, which Valoria is well suited to take on," Locke said. "As a lifelong resident of Eastern Washington, she understands the burdens facing the agricultural community. With experience as a key member of our Legislature, she understands public policy and will work well with state decision makers. Valoria's leadership will be a great asset to the Department of Agriculture."

Loveland served as a state Senator representing the 16th legislative district from 1993 to 2001. While in the Senate, Loveland served as chairwoman of the Ways and Means Committee. Prior to being elected to the Senate, Loveland held numerous public posts including Franklin County Treasurer, chair of the state's Public Disclosure Commission and member of the Nuclear Waste Advisory Council.

"I am honored and delighted to accept this position," Loveland said. "Preserving Washington's agricultural sector is one of the governor's highest priorities and I look forward to leading a great department."

Loveland, a graduate of Columbia Basin College, will begin her new post on June 1, at an annual salary of $103,000.

"Bill Brookreson did a terrific job as acting director of the department," the governor added. "I am pleased that he has agreed to stay on as deputy director."

McKee, 35, will replace Gary Robinson, who has served as acting director at DIS since Steve Kolodney departed last May.

"Washington is recognized as a national leader in digital government," Locke said. "I am delighted to announce Stuart's appointment as the new director of our Department of Information Services. I was impressed by Stuart's information technology experience at both the Walt Disney Company and Microsoft. I am confident that his experience with these firms of global prominence will be a great advantage in leading Washington's expanding e-government operations."

McKee said, "I am honored to serve the governor and the people of Washington in this capacity. I look forward to working with the governor, his staff and other state leaders tackling the many challenges in front of us. This is a fantastic opportunity to build upon a great foundation and shape the face of digital government."

McKee worked for the Walt Disney Company's Internet organization from August 1996 to October 2001. He was promoted to direct the company's global Internet operations in February 2000, and established an organization with a staff of 250 people and a $100 million budget. His division was responsible for the hosting facilities, test labs, internal business systems, networks, database systems, systems engineering, technical operations and security for Disney and its combined Internet business units including ESPN.com, Disney.com and ABCNews.com.

Prior to working at Disney, McKee served as a senior database administrator at Microsoft and a manager of information systems at Sabey.

McKee received a bachelor's degree from Lewis-Clark State College and a master's degree in business administration from Gonzaga University. He will start at DIS immediately and will earn an annual salary of $133,000.

"I also want to thank Gary Robinson for his leadership at DIS," the governor added. "He did a great job managing the department over the past several months and I know he will be missed."

Robinson will return to the Office of Financial Management where he will continue to lead the agency's information services.

"I am pleased that Roger Nyhus is joining our team as communications
director," Locke said. "I believe his understanding of policy and public affairs, coupled with his management experience in the private sector, will make him a wonderful addition to my senior staff."

Nyhus, 34, is president of Nyhus Communications LLC, a strategic public relations firm specializing in public affairs, technology, financial services and humanitarian efforts. Nyhus also served as communications director for the last six months of Seattle Mayor Paul Schell's term.

Previously, Nyhus served as director of corporate communications at Teledesic, the Internet-in-the-Sky satellite communications company founded by telecommunications entrepreneur Craig McCaw. Nyhus has also held public relations positions at Frank Russell Company and Washington Mutual.

"As a Washington native, I'm honored to serve the governor and the state in this role," Nyhus said. "I look forward to working with Governor Locke to advance his vision for the state."

A 1990 graduate of the Edward R. Murrow School of Communications at Washington State University, Nyhus will take the communications helm on June 1, and will earn an annual salary of $95,000.

Nyhus will replace Pearse Edwards, who has served as Locke's acting communications director since December. Edwards has accepted a position with a communications firm in Washington, D.C.

"I also want to thank Pearse for an excellent job managing my communications office, especially through the tough demands of the 2002 legislative session," the governor added.

Related Links:
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Information Services


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