Senate confirms Chris Marr as member of the Washington State Liquor Control Board

February 16, 2011

OLYMPIA – The Senate today confirmed Chris Marr as the newest member of the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB).

“This is both an exciting and challenging time for the Board and its employees,” said Marr. “I look forward to working with the Board to carry out our public safety mission and implement an ambitious agenda of initiatives to improve customer service.”

Marr, of Spokane, has a 20-year history of civic involvement in public policy and state and local government. Prior to his appointment to the Board, Marr served as a State Senator for the 6th District in Spokane from 2006 to 2010. Marr has also served on the Board of Regents of Washington State University (WSU) and the Board of Governors of the WSU Foundation. He formerly chaired the Board of Empire Health Services and Inland Northwest Health Services, as well as the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Washington State Transportation Commission.

Prior to his election in the Senate, Marr spent 20 years as managing partner of the Foothills Auto Group in Spokane, after working in management at Ford Motor Company and McDonald’s Corporation.

Marr joins Board Chair Sharon Foster and Board Member Ruthann Kurose. His six-year term began February 1, 2011 and will run until January 15, 2017.

The part-time board operates at 60 percent time and pay. It holds regular public meetings and work sessions with stakeholders and other interest groups, makes policy and budget decisions, and adjudicates contested liquor license applications and enforcement actions on licensees.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board’s mission is to contribute to the safety and financial stability of our communities by ensuring the responsible sale, and preventing the misuse of, alcohol and tobacco. The WSLCB returned $370.3 million in Fiscal Year 2010 to fund essential state and local services. More information is available on the WSLCB website at lcb.wa.gov.

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