Workforce Board approves consent agenda; co‑chairs announce leadership changes and pause director selection

The Washington State Workforce Board approved the consent agenda by voice. Chair announced that she and Co‑Chair Gary Chandler are stepping down from their co‑chair roles; Gary Chandler said he will leave the board after this meeting. The governor has appointed April Sims (president, Washington State Labor Council) and Morgan Erwin (vice president for government affairs, Association of Washington Business) as incoming co‑chairs.

Board staff said the statutory selection process for a permanent executive director requires a list of three nominees from a committee of the board’s business and labor members for the governor to choose from. Members discussed four options for filling the director role—immediate submission of three names, formal recruitment, contracting a recruiter using board funds, or waiting until a larger state workforce review is completed—and agreed to pause a final decision until the incoming co‑chairs have been able to consult with stakeholders.

A motion to approve the consent agenda was made, seconded and carried by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.