Biography

DATE & PLACE OF BIRTH:
2/26/41 - Seattle, Washington

FAMILY:
Husband: Keith
Sons: Bill, Chris, Brad
Daughter: Jamie
Grandchildren: Kyle, Ryan, and Arita

EDUCATION:
Seattle University

EMPLOYMENT:
Former:
Executive Director, United Way of Grays Harbor
Office Manager, Kairos (alcohol & drug counseling)
Office Manager, Atomic Press (fine art lithography)
Program Manager, Northern Life Insurance
Legal Secretary, Davis, Wright, Todd, Reise & Jones
Co-Owner, Blacktop Pavers

LEADERSHIP:
Current:
Majority Leader
Former:
Minority Whip
Chair, Energy & Utilities

COMMITTEES:
Current:
Appropriations
Rules
Executive Rules
Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations
Former:
Financial Institutions and Insurance
Higher Education
Energy and Utilities
Health Care

APPOINTMENTS:
Current:
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA)
Washington State Arts Commission
Former:
Governor's Commission on Early Learning

AWARDS:
WA Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, Legislative Champion Award, 2008
Welfare Advocates Group (WAG) - 2008 Legislator of the Year
Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Freedom Light Award, 2007
Washington Coalition for Open Government, Key Award, 2007
Backcountry Horsemen of Washington, Honorary Member, 2007
The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, 2005 Landmark Deeds award for Public Service
Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Legislator of the Year, 2004
Washington State Arts Alliance, Louise Miller Advocacy Award, 2003
Washington Farm Bureau, Legislator of the Year, 2003
Washington Potato Growers, Legislator of the Year, 2003
Northwest Women's Law Center, Cynthia Gillespie Award, 2002
Democratic National Committee - Named "100 New Democrats to Watch in 2000"
Most Effective Public Official, 1995, 1996 and 1997, Twin Harbors Readers Poll/The Daily World

YEARS IN HOUSE:
Eighth term

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES:
Current:
Grays Harbor Economic Development Council Board of Directors
Centrum Advisory Committee
Rotary Club (Past President)
United Way of Grays Harbor Board of Directors
Former:
Grays Harbor College Board of Trustees (President) 1990-2000
Disability Awareness Committee (Past Chair)
Shorelines Management Board (Past Vice Chair)
Teenage Pregnancy & Parenting Program (Past Chair)
Head Start Advisory Council
Grays Harbor Hospital Strategic Planning Committee
Youth 2000 (Past Chair)
Community Food Bank Committee
Cervical Cancer Awareness Task Force
Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce
Government Affairs Committee (Past Chair)
Grays Harbor Community Resource Council (Past Chair)
Community Health Organization, Board of Directors
Hoquiam High School Voc-Tech Advisory Council