Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 15, 1997
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke names stadium panel members

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke today announced he appointed 7 members to the Public Stadium Authority (PSA). They are charged with oversight of the construction and operation of a new football and soccer stadium and exhibition center approved by the state’s voters in June.

"The taxpayers deserve an oversight panel that will be a watchdog, not a lapdog," Locke said. "I have chosen outstanding people who will forcefully and effectively represent the interests of taxpayers as plans take shape for the new stadium and exhibition center."

The governor appointed Lorraine Hine to serve as chairperson of the PSA. Hine served as former Gov. Mike Lowry’s staff director and before that as his legislative relations director. As a long-time legislator from Des Moines, she rose to the position of House Majority Leader, the second ranking leadership post in the state House. She also served as the mayor of Des Moines.

Locke named Frederick Mendoza, a Normandy Park resident who practices law in Kent with Cromwell, Mendoza & Belur, specializing in business law related to real estate, contracts and regulatory compliance, to be vice chairman. Mendoza is chairman of Northwest Soccer Stadium Committee, a group formed to bring major league soccer and a stadium suitable for international soccer matches to the region. He is very active with Washington State Youth Soccer Association and serves as vice chairman of Soccer in the Streets, Inc., a national soccer group focused on young residents of low income housing projects. He has performed community service for numerous organizations including the Highline School District and the Filipino American Scholarship Fund.

The remaining five appointees include:

Benson Wong, an attorney with the firm Keller Rohrback, who specializes in business law and real estate. He is actively involved with the Asian Counseling and Referral Service and organizations serving the Chinese-speaking elderly population, including the Kin On Health Care Center. He served on the board of the Young Lawyers Division of the King County Bar Association.

Wong is on the King County Charter Review Commission and served on the Future of Washington Schools Steering Committee. He served on the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Mariners stadium, the Mercer Island Schools Foundation and TVW, a nonprofit broadcaster of state government news and events.

Locke also approved the nominations submitted by the four legislative caucus leaders. House Speaker Clyde Ballard nominated Lucy DeYoung. DeYoung is president of DeYoung and Company, a financial management firm in Woodinville and was an underwriter for a Chicago company dealing with municipal bonds. She was the first mayor of Woodinville and a current member of the Woodinville City Council. DeYoung serves on several boards, including Frontier Bank, the University of Washington’s advisory board on the Bothell branch campus, and the Woodinville Chamber of Commerce.

House Minority Leader Marlin Appelwick nominated Bob Dilger, executive secretary of the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council. Dilger, a Gig Harbor resident, is a board member for the Washington State Labor Council, Pierce County United Way and is a trustee for the Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Tacoma.

Senate Majority Leader Dan McDonald’s nominee is Jacob "Jake" Jundt, a co-owner of Tri-Ply Construction, Inc. in the Yakima Valley. Jundt, who has been active in the United Way, YMCA and the Sunrise Rotary Club of Yakima, is currently chairman of the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce and served on a blue ribbon task force formed by then Gov.-elect Gary Locke to address stadium financing issues.

Senate Minority Leader Sid Snyder recommended Sue Frost, president of Cascade Columbia Foods in Kennewick. The long-time manager of the Port of Kennewick, was co-owner of a Franklin County farm and currently serves on the Washington State University Foundation Board of Directors and the Hanford Area Economic Investment Fund Committee.

Locke said he sought independent people who will uphold the highest standards of integrity and who offer the kind of expertise essential to deciding and negotiating all the detailed questions left by the Legislature for the Public Stadium Authority to resolve.

"I’m grateful a group of such high caliber is willing to serve the public in the hard work that lies ahead," Locke said. "Building a football and soccer stadium and making the arrangements that will ensure a successful project for the people of the state will be tough. I’m confident these dedicated citizens will do an excellent job."

Hine and Mendoza, and two other members to be chosen by lot, will serve four-year terms. The remaining members will serve initial two-year terms. Members will be $50 per day for attending meetings and will be reimbursed for expenses.

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