Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 5, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke praises OFM Director Thompson, who leaves to join University of Washington

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke today praised the "outstanding work and leadership" of state budget director Dick Thompson, who has been appointed director of governmental affairs for the University of Washington.

"Dick Thompson is a superb public servant whose term as director of my Office of Financial Management has been distinguished by his outstanding work and leadership," said Locke.

"I have known Dick for many years, since my early days in the state legislature," Locke continued. "We were extremely fortunate to have him return to state government as our state budget director. He has been an integral part of my administration and played an important role in our day-to-day management of state government. It will be very difficult to replace him."

Thompson holds the distinction of being the only person in state history ever to have served as the chief of staff to a governor, OFM director and secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services.

He has been director of OFM since the beginning of the Locke administration, in January 1997.

Thompson served as director of the state Department of Community Development from 1985 to 1987 and chief of staff for Governor Booth Gardner from 1987 to 1989.

He also served as secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services from 1989 to 1992. He was president and chief professional officer of the United Way of King County from 1993 to 1997.

No departure date for Thompson has been set, but he expects to join the University of Washington before the end of the year. A search for a successor will begin immediately.

Thompson will report to University of Washington President Richard McCormick. As director of governmental affairs, Thompson will represent the university's priorities to elected and appointed officials and respond to requests for information from the executive and legislative branches.

He received a B.A. in political science from Western Washington University in 1965 and a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 1968. He has been a part-time faculty member in the graduate programs in public administration at the UW and The Evergreen State College.

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