Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 4, 1997
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke appoints Wallace Loh to head policy office

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke turned to an educator in selecting a new policy director to help refine the priorities of the administration over the coming months and years. Locke announced today that Wallace Loh, former dean of the University of Washington Law School, will be his chief policy advisor.


Locke, who said we face enormous challenges in education, economic development and natural resources, cited Loh's incredible record of success everywhere he has served. "He attracts bright, talented people who think creatively and can find innovative solutions. He is a problem-solver who will play a critical role in our drive to make Washington schools the best in the nation," Locke said.


Loh said he is excited about the challenges ahead in his new post. "I'm honored to have this opportunity to help Governor Locke advance his key priorities of raising academic standards in schools, improving the economic vitality of Washington, ensuring future generations will be able to fish for salmon, and making communities safe for families and children," he said.


The long-time professor of law and psychology at the University of Washington, who also taught in the Society and Justice Program there, will start toward the end of September at an annual salary of $96,469.


Loh, 52, has won numerous awards and honors, including Teacher of the Year in 1989 and the Chancellor's Medal for Outstanding Service at the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he has served as vice chancellor for the past two years. He was chairman of the University of Washington's 1993-94 task force on reorganization and restructuring of the University, chair of the UW's Vision Committee, and served on the UW Budget Committee and the board of directors of the University of Washington Foundation. He has a doctoral degree in social psychology from Michigan, a law degree from Yale and speaks four languages.

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