Executive Cabinet
Positions
WA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
DIRECTOR
Executive Management position that directs the operation of a department with approximately 800 regular employees and over 200 seasonal employees with an annual operating budget of over $120 million. Support the Washington State agricultural industry, which generates about $10 billion in annual farm gate value, through management of programs for food safety and security, plant and animal disease prevention and control, pesticide and fertilizer registration and management, commodity inspection, and marketing and foreign trade. Oversee operation of the states 21 commodity commissions. Responsible for advocating sound agricultural trade policies that support the annual export of about $7 billion in Washington food and agricultural products. Advocate for fair trade practices and policies at a national level through serving as Chairperson for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture's Marketing and International Trade Committee for the past 5 years. Responsible for promoting the state's agricultural interests with the state's Congressional delegation and with the federal executive branch.
WA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN YOUTH & FAMILIES
SECRETARY
Oversees all programs from the Children’s Administration in DSHS such as Child Protective Services’ investigations and Family Assessment Response, licensed foster care, and adoption support. Also included are all DEL services, such as the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program for preschoolers, Working Connections Child Care, and Home Visiting. Starting in July 2019, DCYF also began administering programs offered by the Juvenile Rehabilitation division and the Office of Juvenile Justice in DSHS. Those programs include juvenile rehabilitation institutions, community facilities and parole services.
WA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
DIRECTOR
The Department of Commerce is the one agency in state government that touches every aspect of community and economic development: planning, infrastructure, energy, public facilities, housing, public safety and crime victims, international trade, business services and more. We work with local governments, tribes, businesses and civic leaders throughout the state to strengthen communities so all residents may thrive and prosper. Administers a diverse portfolio of more than 100 programs and several state boards and commissions, all focused on helping communities achieve positive growth. Our key customers include businesses, local governments, tribes and community-based organizations. We also play the crucial role of convening numerous local, state, regional and federal partners and stakeholders, both public and private. $8B budget and more than 500 employees to strengthen communities and grow the economy.
WA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
SECRETARY
The Department of Corrections (DOC) manages all state-operated adult prisons and supervises individuals who live in the community and are under DOC supervision.
WA DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
DIRECTOR
Department Mission: To protect, preserve, and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. The department administers laws and regulations pertaining to the areas of water quality, water rights and water resources, shoreline management, toxics clean-up, nuclear waste, hazardous waste, and air quality. It also conducts monitoring and scientific assessments. The agency has an operating budget of approximately $459 million, a capital budget of approximately $325 million and 1900 employees
WA EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DEPARTMENT
DIRECTOR
Agency for the Washington that is tasked with management of the unemployment system. Reporting directly to Governor, leads ESD in setting the vision and overseeing all aspects of management, budgeting, project delivery, strategic planning and execution. Oversee 13 direct reports and a department of 2,800 employees in multiple locations.
DEPARTMENT OF ENTERPRISE SERVICES
DIRECTOR
With more than 800 employees across many diverse business lines, DES delivers cost-effective central support services that meet the needs of customers throughout state and local governments, so they can focus on their core missions. Tara oversees DES’s $280 million operating budget, and a capital program of $1.2 billion through many different programs, including centralized procurement, facilities management, real estate, printing and mailing, surplus equipment disposition, public works capital projects, risk management, fleet management, workforce support and development, care and custody of the country’s largest state capitol campus, and the support of small agencies.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
DIRECTOR
We protect consumers and advance the financial health of Washington State by providing fair regulation of financial services and educating consumers to make informed financial decisions.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
DIRECTOR
The Office of Financial Management provides vital information, fiscal services and policy support that the governor, Legislature and state agencies need to serve the people of Washington. We: Play a central role in budget planning, policy development, and fiscal administration for the executive branch. Prepare the executive budget proposal and monitor budget implementation. Develop and maintain state administrative and accounting policies and prepare statewide financial reports. Conduct executive policy research and develop legislation to support the Governor's policy goals. Provide estimates of state and local population, monitor changes in the state economy and labor force, and conduct research on a variety of issues affecting the state budget and public policy. Manage statewide human resource policy functions including classification, compensation, workforce data, recruitment and other policy functions.
WA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
SECRETARY
DOH provides comprehensive public health services and programs to the community through a workforce of approximately 2,000 public health professionals– all dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Washingtonians and the communities in which they live, learn, work, worship, and play. DOH will continue to evolve and transform public health activities, taking it to the next level through our cornerstone values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement. Each year brings new diseases, new chronic disease risks, and more natural and man-made disasters.
WA HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
DIRECTOR
Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.
WA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & INDUSTRIES
SECRETARY
Lead state agency that administers workers' compensation insurance system, workplace safety, labor law, and a variety of public safety and health programs. Agency has 3,200 employees and a biennial budget of approximately 1 billion dollars.
WA DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING
DIRECTOR
Like licensing agencies in other states, we offer driver licenses, ID cards, license plates, and vehicle and boat registration. Unlike other states, we also license many professions, such as cosmetology and architecture. We employ about 1,500 people at more than 60 locations, which provide services like driver exams, hearings, audits, and vehicle dealer investigations.
MILITARY DEPARTMENT
ADJUTANT GENERAL
Commander of 8,000 Soldiers and Airmen of the Washington National Guard, Homeland Security Advisor to the Governor, and director of the State's Military Department which includes Emergency Management and the Washington Youth Academy. Provide trained and ready forces for both domestic and overseas missions.
WA DEPARTMENT OF RETIREMENT SYSTEMS
DIRECTOR
The Department of Retirement Systems serves a diverse population of more than 330,000 Washington public employees, including firefighters, teachers and police officers. As DRS Director, Tracy leads an organization of approximately 270 team members who administer one of the most complex public retirement systems in the country. DRS serves over 912,000 current and former public employees at both the state and local government levels. Retirement benefits earned by these employees result in $7.1 billion in payments each year, most of which is distributed in the state of Washington.
WA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
DIRECTOR
Leads an organization of approximately 270 team members who administer one of the most complex public retirement systems in the country. DRS serves over 912,000 current and former public employees at both the state and local government levels. Retirement benefits earned by these employees result in $7.1 billion in payments each year, most of which is distributed in the state of Washington.
WA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
SECRETARY
The Secretary of DSHS is the Chief Executive Officer providing overall leadership and strategic vision for the largest state agency. Accountable for the care of nearly 2.4 million Washington residents, inclusive of individuals and families with economic, social, health, long-term care supervision or related needs. Responsible for leading approximately17,000 employees; Biennial budget in excess $17 Billion.
WA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
SECRETARY
The principal executive officer for an agency of approximately 6,800 employees statewide and a budget of $7.4 billion. WSDOT is the steward of a multimodal transportation system and responsible for ensuring that people and goods move safely and efficiently. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT is responsible for the state ferry system, and works in partnership with others to maintain and improve local roads, railroads, airports, public transportation systems, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities
WA DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR
Oversees the state-wide operations of a diverse portfolio performed by 900+ employees. Oversight and direct supervision of the agency’s Homes Operations Director, Long Term Care Homes Administrators, Chief Information Officer, Cemetery Director, Lean Transformation Coordinator, Clinical Compliance Manager, Pharmacy Manager, HR Director, CFO, Communications and Legislative Affairs Director, Assistant Director of Veterans Services, and Executive Assistant. Member of the senior executive team, and responsible for setting strategic vision, goals, policies, and operations plans. Directly supervise 10 executive team members who are responsible for service delivery of agency portfolio. Focus on organizational workplace culture with diversity, equity, and inclusion in mind. Oversee the collection of $107M annual revenue and responsible for the agency's $180M biennial budget. Liaison to other federal and state agencies, strategic partners, stakeholders, and vendors.