Gov. Jay Inslee appointed former State Rep. Pat Sullivan, whose 47th District includes parts of Kent, Covington and Auburn, to serve as director of the Washington State Office of Financial Management.
Sullivan, of Covington, served 18 years in the state House before retiring in 2022. He served 12 years as House majority leader.
Sullivan will succeed David Schumacher, who has held the role since 2013, according to a Monday, July 22 news release from Inslee. Schumacher is stepping down in September for a new position as public affairs director for the Washington State Investment Board. In addition to being a member of the governor’s executive team, the budget director also serves on the governor’s cabinet.
Sullivan has extensive experience in public policy and budgeting, according to the news release. In addition to his legislative work, voters first elected him in 2004, he served as the first mayor for the city of Covington, and worked as a senior legislative assistant to then King County Council member Dow Constantine, now the county executive. Since 2022, Sullivan has worked with the governor’s office, where he currently serves as the executive director of legislative affairs.
“Pat is a tremendously talented negotiator with a track record of navigating complex laws and budgets,” Inslee said. “He is a trusted leader among both parties in the Legislature and I know he will offer exceptional counsel and expertise to our agencies and our office.”
Sullivan, who holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Washington, looks forward to taking the new position, which starts Sept. 3.
“I’ve always relished the opportunity to collaborate with legislators and agency leaders to build budgets and programs that enable Washingtonians to thrive,” Sullivan said. “It’s an honor to take on this role at the helm of OFM (Office of Financial Management).”
Sheri Sawyer, who is currently the deputy director of policy and outreach, will assume Sullivan’s current role managing legislative affairs, according to the news release. Sawyer has been with Inslee’s office for nearly a decade. She joined as a senior policy advisor in 2016. Earlier in her career, she worked for the Washington State Auditor’s Office and the Association of Washington Cities.
Inslee also expressed his gratitude to Schumacher, the outgoing budget director, for his long-standing service and countless contributions.
“David has been with my administration since day one and has become a close confidant and friend,” Inslee said. “During the past 12 years, our state has confronted historic challenges, from a pandemic and growing climate change impacts to a growing population driving significant demand for housing and services. Our success in making Washington a best state for business and workers and a leader in climate action is due in no small part to David’s leadership.”
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