OLYMPIA – Today Governor Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of Dow Constantine and Denise Stiffarm to the University of Washington Board of Regents.
“Dow and Denise will bring deep backgrounds and expertise in public service to the University of Washington Board of Regents,” Governor Ferguson said. “They are well-prepared to help govern and steward our alma mater.”
Constantine is the CEO of Sound Transit. He served four terms as King County Executive, leading one of the largest regional governments in the United States. Constantine is also a former King County councilmember, Washington state representative and Washington state senator.
"The University of Washington is the foundation of our region's outsized reserve of economic, cultural and social capital," Constantine said. "It has given generations of Washingtonians — given my family — a ladder to a better, fuller life. I cannot imagine a greater honor than to be allowed to give back to our alma mater in this way. I thank Governor Ferguson, and look forward to working with my fellow Regents to advance the interests of the University, our students, faculty and staff, and the State of Washington."
Stiffarm is the managing partner of Pacifica Law Group. She practices in the areas of municipal, land use, real estate, and education law. Prior to joining Pacifica, Denise was a partner at Preston Gates & Ellis LLP and its successor firm, K&L Gates.
“As an alumnus of the University of Washington, I hold a deep love and respect for the institution and firsthand knowledge of the power of a UW education to fundamentally improve individual outcomes,” Stiffarm said. “I look forward to joining a distinguished group of regents and contributing my skills and life experience toward stewarding and advancing the University of Washington and its mission.”
Constantine has previously served on volunteer boards including Puget Sound Regional Council, Mountains to Sound Greenway, West Seattle HelpLine, Allied Arts of Seattle, the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.
Constantine is an avid skier, music enthusiast and Husky football fan. His grandfather and great uncle played football together at the UW a century ago. His parents married as students at the UW, and Constantine and his wife, Shirley, met as students volunteering at the UW student radio station. Constantine is a life-long resident of West Seattle, where he and Shirley are raising their middle-school-aged daughter. He earned his B.A., law degree and graduate degree at the University of Washington.
Stiffarm has served on the UW President's Minority Community Advisory Committee and as a trustee for College Spark Washington. She currently serves on the boards of the One Roof Foundation and United Way Seattle King County, and has served previously on volunteer boards including the YWCA, Seattle Art Museum, YouthCare and the Chief Seattle Club. She is the namesake and first recipient of the Chief Seattle Club Stiffarm Visionary Leadership award.
Stiffarm is a passionate sports fan, lifelong reader, and fair-weathered hiker. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family, and is married to a fellow UW alum. She went to college in Eastern Washington before earning her law degree at the UW. Stiffarm is an enrolled member of the Gros Ventre (Aaniiih/White Clay) Tribe and originally from Fort Belknap, Montana.
The Board of Regents consists of eleven members. The terms of current regents Rogelio Riojas and Constance W. Rice expire on Sept. 30.
“I am grateful for the dedicated service of Constance and Rogelio,” said Governor Ferguson. “Both served as regents for over 10 years and helped move the University of Washington forward.”