Senate committee hears four gubernatorial appointees and reports multiple confirmations after executive session

The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee on Monday heard public testimony from four gubernatorial appointees to higher-education boards and then moved into executive session to report a panel of appointments with a recommendation for confirmation.

Chair Nobles opened each nomination hearing, administered oaths under Senate Rule 69 and invited appointees to state their backgrounds and interest in service. Deborah (as recorded in the hearing) described a career spanning community-college study, federal education policy work for Congressman Adam Smith and 11 years as a Renton Technical College trustee; she told the committee she would work to avoid schedule conflicts and to remain informed about board business.

Bryce McKibben, nominated to the Pierce College Board of Trustees, described his experience as a student advocate, former president of the Washington Student Association and as an advisor in Senator Patty Murray's office. He said his main goal is to "figure out how we can best serve the most number of students in the greater Pierce County community," citing parenting and working students as priorities.

Former senator David (as recorded) described his background as a state legislator and current service as a deputy policy director in the Ferguson administration, called higher education a public good and said he hopes to help Western Washington University with funding and capital priorities.

Former senator Christine (as recorded) testified remotely about living in Kitsap County, her service as a county commissioner and earlier legislative experience. She described Olympic College as an "economic engine" for the Kitsap Peninsula and said trusteeship would let her bring on-the-ground perspective to questions of funding and program development.

After the public testimony, the committee moved into executive session to consider a panel of gubernatorial appointments. A committee member moved that a list of appointment numbers (9232, 9233, 9235, 9236, 9237, 9282, 9288, 9296 and 9314) be reported with a recommendation that the appointments be confirmed. A second was made and the committee approved the recommendation by voice vote; the chair said confirmations were reported "subject to signatures." The committee then adjourned.

The hearing record includes the nominees' statements but committee action beyond the executive-session recommendation will appear in the Senate's formal calendar and the appointments' files.