NEWS18-004
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Virginia Painter, (360) 902-8562
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OLYMPIA – Jan. 23, 2018 – Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed Michael Latimer of Yakima and Diana Perez of Vancouver as the newest members of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission comprises seven volunteer citizens appointed by the governor to serve in six-year terms. The Commission provides policy direction to the agency that operates and cares for one of the largest, most diverse state park systems in the country, with 125 parks, approximately 120,000 acres, heritage sites, marine parks and statewide programs such as winter recreation, boating safety and long-distance recreation trails. The Commission meets six times a year in pre-determined locations around the state.
Michael Latimer, Yakima, is a senior vice president and branch manager of Morgan Stanley. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marine (Nuclear) Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and served as a U.S. Naval officer in both submarines and surface ships. He worked as a regional operations manager for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad before becoming a financial advisor at major investment companies, with offices in Seattle and Spokane before moving to Yakima. Latimer is actively involved in his community, including Boy Scouts, the Yakima Schools Foundation, SCORE and the Downtown Yakima Rotary Club and is past president of the Yakima Capitol Theatre.
Latimer believes the outdoors provides health and renewal for people of all ages. He is married to Mariane Sugihara, and together they have five adult children and four grandchildren. In his leisure time, he enjoys community projects, fly fishing, RV camping, target shooting and family time. His term runs through Dec. 31, 2018. He is filling the post of former Commissioner Doug Peters of Selah, who retired from his position in late 2017.
Diana Perez, Vancouver, has more than 25 years of public land management experience in Oregon, Alaska and Washington. She has worked as a biologist, forest fish program manager, acting district ranger, public affairs officer and deputy monument manager at Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Currently, Perez works as a talent acquisition specialist with the National Collective Recruitment Team of the USDA Forest Service. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management at Texas Tech University and her Masters in Fisheries Science at Oregon State University. She participated in the Executive Leadership Institute at Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, College of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University.
Perez is passionate about natural resources, conservation and education and enjoys fostering these interests in future generations. She volunteers with the League of United Latin American Citizens to empower under-represented groups and connect them with unique outdoor educational experiences. In her leisure time, she enjoys biking, snow-shoeing and camping with her two children. Perez will serve until Dec. 31, 2020, in the commission post vacated by Commissioner Rodger Schmitt of Port Townsend, who recently relocated out of state.
Latimer and Perez will begin their service this week at the Commission’s first meeting of the new year, Jan. 25, in Montesano. More information and the agenda for this meeting are here: http://parks.state.wa.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=359.
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About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
Follow Washington State Parks:
Share your favorite state park adventure on the State Parks’ blog site at http://adventureawaits.com/
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W.
P.O. Box 42650
Olympia, WA 98504-2650