Governor appoints as his new director of external affairs - newly hired position expert on political campaigning

Press release from governor's office

OLYMPIA - June 23, 2003 - Gov. Gary Locke has appointed Nancy Biery as hisnew director of external affairs.

Biery has spent the last decade working on a number of political campaigns nationwide. Most recently, Biery was a partner at Biery/Besserman Associates, a political consulting firm based in Washington. The company represented political candidates for state and local office, including those running for the House of Representatives, Supreme Court, county sheriff and county commissioner positions. Biery also served as chairwoman of the Jefferson County Democratic Party.

"Nancy has been a longtime contributor in this state's political process," Locke said. "Her relationship with both legislative leaders and key stakeholders will be a valuable asset to our team."

Prior to forming her consultancy group, Biery spent time advising political campaigns in the Olympic Peninsula region and worked on U.S. Sen. Patty Murray's re-election bid. She also served as a deputy director for the Washington State Democrats' Coordinated Campaign, where she was involved in count and recount activities, field staff supervision and the party's training efforts. Biery also served as president of Petro Systems Pacific, Inc., an environmental engineering company.

Biery will be the governor's primary contact for key constituency groups.

"I am honored by the opportunity to work with the governor and look forward to advancing important issues for the citizens of our state," said Biery.

Biery, a Port Townsend resident, earned her undergraduate degree in industrial engineering at the University of California-Irvine. She also received a certificate of achievement from the Democratic National Committee Training Academy in the field director track.

Biery, who will earn $93,000, begins her appointment on July 7.

Contacts: Michael Marchand, Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136, www.governor.wa.gov

(Editor's note: A taxpayer-funded campaign manager?)