Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 14, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke’s General Counsel Returns to Private Sector

Gov. Gary Locke’s longtime general counsel, Everett Billingslea, is returning to the private sector. Billingslea has accepted a position as vice president for administration and legal affairs with Lynden Incorporated, a multi-modal transportation solutions company with offices in the Seattle area.

Billingslea has served as Locke’s general counsel since the beginning of his administration in January 1997, and previously was the in-house counsel for Quality Food Centers, Inc. Billingslea will join Lynden in January.

“Everett has been a close friend and personal adviser who brought a valuable private-sector perspective to our decisions,” Locke said. “Everett quickly became our go-to guy on a variety of important issues. Everett is an incredibly hard worker, and we will miss him. ”

“Everett’s familiarity with Alaska along with his other experience makes him particularly well suited for this newly created executive position with us,” said Jim Jansen, president and chief executive officer of Lynden. “We eagerly look forward to his start with us.”

As general counsel, Billingslea served as a senior adviser to the governor on a wide range of policy issues, including business, technology, tax, tribal and non-tribal gambling, and North Pacific fishery issues. He was responsible for the governor’s legal affairs, relations with the courts and Attorney General, as well as judicial appointments, ethics, clemency, vetoes, oversight of state information technology policy and acquisitions, and a variety of other areas.

“Working in the Governor’s Office was a tremendous experience, and I am indebted to Governor Locke for the opportunity,” Billingslea said. “After six years, it’s time for me to return to the private sector and stretch into new areas.”

Born and raised in Alaska, Billingslea moved to Seattle in 1992. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bowdoin College, and his master’s in business administration and law degrees from Santa Clara University.

His previous experience includes work as a business and transactional lawyer in both Washington and Alaska, first at the former law firm of Bogle & Gates, and later in-house at Oceantrawl, Inc. and Quality Food Centers, Inc.

The Governor’s Office is conducting a search to fill the general counsel position.

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