I wanted to share with you my great news. On May 16, 2004, I will become a member of the Senior Executive Service as the Regional Chief Counsel of the Office of the General Counsel, Social Security Administration. I have been in that position since December 22, 1996. My office covers the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington (the Seattle Region).
I will be celebrating 26 years of marriage in June and welcoming a second grandson in September. I am a quilter and a member of a charitable organization called Quilts from the Heart.
Lucille "Lucy" Gonzales Meis, Class of 1985
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For Immediate Release
October 16, 2006
Governor Appoints Whitworth Dean to Washington State Executive Ethics Board
Gov. Christine Gregoire has appointed Kyle Usrey, dean of Whitworth's School of Global Commerce & Management, to the Washington State Executive Ethics Board. Usrey is the only citizen-at-large member on the five-person board, which is responsible for ensuring compliance by executive agencies with the Washington State Ethics in Public Service Act.
"I'm humbled to be selected by the governor to this important committee for the state of Washington," says Usrey, who holds an MBA and a law degree and consults domestically and internationally on ethics. "I certainly hope that I can contribute meaningfully to the ethics board, based on my training, research and practical experience."
The board has subpoena power and meets monthly to review policies, hear cases and issue advisory opinions, according to Susan Harris, executive director of the board's staff. The staff, which is part of the attorney general's office, receives and investigates complaints, then makes recommendations that are ultimately acted on by the board, Harris says.
Usrey, who succeeds Paul Zellinsky as the board's only citizen-at-large member, will serve a five-year term that began on Oct. 1. In her letter of appointment, Gregoire commended Usrey for his willingness to serve and for his commitment to high standards for performance and ethics.
"Thank you for your willingness to join me in serving the people of Washington," Gregoire writes in her letter to Usrey. "The public sets high standards for us, and if we want to maintain their trust and support, we must always meet or exceed those standards. That means we have to serve with the highest ethical principals."
As dean of Whitworth's School of Global Commerce & Management since 2001, Usrey has overseen the integration of the school's undergraduate, graduate and adult degree-completion programs, including the recent launch of an MBA program to complement the existing Master of International Management Program. Usrey also has led fundraising and strategic development for new initiatives focused on entrepreneurship, civic engagement and global business.
Usrey consults regularly on business law and ethics for international companies and non-governmental organizations around the world. He serves on the boards of the Spokane Area Economic Development Council, the Spokane International Trade Alliance, and the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute; he also serves as legal counsel for several domestic and international businesses.
Prior to coming to Whitworth, Usrey was professor of international business and director of global education and strategic alliances at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Tex.; visiting scholar of international business at the University of South Australia in Adelaide; and professor of international business and business law at Yanshan University in China. He also served as a law clerk to two federal judges, practiced commercial law, and held management positions at GTE Corp. and McGraw-Hill.
Usrey received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Hardin-Simmons University in 1978, an MBA from the University of Colorado in 1979, and a law degree from the University of Colorado in 1985. He is frequently invited to write and speak on international business issues for popular and trade audiences.
Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private, liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The college, which enrolls more than 2,500 students, offers 53 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Kyle Usrey, dean of the School of Global Commerce & Management, Whitworth College, (509) 777-4585 or kusrey@whitworth.edu.
Greg Orwig, director of communications, Whitworth College, (509) 777-4580 or gorwig@whitworth.edu.
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