Inslee names Jane Rushford and Russ Hauge to the Liquor Control Board

Gov. Jay Inslee today appointed Jane Rushford as Chair of the Liquor Control Board and Russ Hauge as a Board Member. Their terms are effective Jan. 19, 2015 and Feb. 1, 2015 respectively.

“Jane’s solid experience, knowledge, and leadership made her an excellent candidate for Board Chair,” said Inslee. “Her commitment to collaboration and transparency will fit well with an agency that has also demonstrated those values through some very high-profile challenges in recent years.”

Rushford has more than 30 years of leadership experience in state government. Most recently, she served as Deputy Director of the Department of Enterprise Services before retiring in 2014. She has also held key positions in the former Department of General Administration including Acting Director, Deputy Director and Customer and External Relations Director. She also served as Senior Policy Advisor at the Department of Natural Resources and Democratic and Staff Coordinator for the Washington State House of Representatives. Jane’s community involvement includes a term with the Foundation Board of Governors at The Evergreen State College and numerous other non-profit boards. Her awards include the Governor’s Award for Leadership in Management (2010), the Governor’s Award for Community Partnerships (2006), and the Commissioner of Public Lands Award (2000).

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve Gov. Inslee in this role,” said Rushford. “Throughout my career I have worked to bring together diverse interests and collaborate on solutions. With the recent expansion of alcohol sales following privatization and the emerging legal cannabis marketplace, the Board has done an excellent job of placing public safety at the forefront. I am also committed to this priority and look forward to working with the many interests that have a stake in the decisions ahead.”

Hauge is a veteran prosecuting attorney from Kitsap County. He has been elected five times as the Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney since 1994. He is a graduate of the University of Washington and the University of Oregon School of Law. He began his legal career as a Kitsap County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney before entering private practice in Port Orchard. He and his wife live in Silverdale.

“The Liquor Control Board plays a critical public safety role,” said Inslee. “Russ has the strongest public safety resume of any Liquor Control Board member in memory. As a prosecutor, he has seen first-hand the impact of illicit drugs and alcohol on both individuals and society. He will bring a unique and important perspective to the Board.”

“After 30 years as an attorney and 20 years as a prosecutor, I think I understand the challenges facing the Board today,” added Hauge. “Private liquor sales and access to cannabis both for medical and recreational purposes have been mandated by Washington’s voters. I see our job as ensuring that those directives are executed while maintaining the controls necessary to protect the public -- especially our young people. I am very grateful for the trust Governor Inslee has shown in me with this appointment."

The Liquor Control Board regulates the alcohol and cannabis industries and enforces youth access to tobacco and tobacco tax laws. The part-time Board is composed of three-members appointed by the Governor to six-year terms. Board members are responsible for hiring the agency’s director who manages day-to-day operations. The Board holds regular public meetings and work sessions with stakeholders, makes policy decisions and adjudicates contested license and enforcement actions on licensees.

Rushford succeeds retiring Board Chair Sharon Foster. Her term is until Jan. 15, 2021. She will earn a salary of $56,990.

Hauge is completing the term of Board Member Chris Marr who is vacating his term on Jan. 31, 2015 to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. His term is until Jan. 15, 2017. He will earn a salary of $51,600.