Date:  Friday, July 23, 2010

Contact: Steve Reinmuth, WSDOT Chief of Staff, 360-705-7027
Steve Pierce, WSDOT Communications Director, 360-705-7076

OLYMPIA – Steve Pierce will join the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) as communications director on Monday, July 26. Pierce comes to WSDOT from the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), where he served as public affairs manager for nearly 10 years. He replaces Lloyd Brown, who left the agency to become the communications director with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials in Washington, D.C.

“Steve's communication philosophy, 'be timely and accurate with information that is relevant to travelers,' continues our agency's commitment to absolute accountability,” said Steve Reinmuth, WSDOT chief of staff. “We are glad to have him in this crucial position.”

Prior to his work at L&I, Pierce was an editor for 15 years with The Seattle Times. His professional experience includes:

• Deputy press secretary for Gov. Gregoire
• Manager of business communications for Weyerhaeuser Co.
• Reporter and editor for The Columbian in Vancouver, Wash.
• Freelance travel writer for Sunset magazine

“I’m joining a great communications team at DOT that does cutting-edge work in many areas,” Pierce said. “I look forward to immersing myself in transportation issues that affect every single citizen in our state, including me as someone who commutes on I-5 from Tacoma to Olympia.”

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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