SEATTLE – Dick Thompson, an Everett native who served as chief of staff to Gov. Booth Gardner for two years, has been named interim athletic director at the University of Washington.
Thompson will serve as athletic director until a successor to Barbara Hedges is hired. Hedges announced her retirement Friday, effective Jan. 16. Thompson will take over the next day.
Thompson is the retiring director of government relations at the UW. Before taking that position in 1999, he served as the director of the state’s Office of Fiscal Management (1997-99), Gardner’s chief of staff (1987-89), secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services (1989-92), director of the state’s Department of Community Development (1985-87) and the president and chief professional officer of the United Way of King County (1993-97).
He also served as city manager or city attorney for the cities of Snohomish, Everett and Puyallup from 1970 to 1985.
“We are fortunate to have someone of Dick’s abilities willing to step in and assume this important position on an interim basis,” UW interim president Lee Huntsman said. “His administrative and leadership skills will enable the department to move forward while we conduct the search for Barbara’s successor.”
Thompson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Western Washington University and a J.D. from the UW School of Law. In addition to his service as government relations director, Thompson has been an affiliate professor in the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs since 1994.
Thompson’s annual salary will be $220,000.
“I could not have picked a better person to serve as interim athletic director than Dick Thompson,” Hedges said. “He has a tremendous amount of experience managing a number of organizations. I wish him all the luck and will be available if he ever needs my assistance with any matters.”
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