Evergreen Reporter

Gov. Jay Inslee has officially announced the appointment of Jamila Thomas as his chief of staff.

Thomas will take the position effective on November 16. Thomas is chief of staff to Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, currently.

"Jamila brings a deep understanding of state government. She is a strategic thinker with extensive policy experience, the ability to build coalitions and a comprehensive understanding of budget and personnel management," Inslee said in a press release. "All of state governments will benefit from the leadership Jamila has shown in her career. I’ve been familiar with Jamila and her work for nearly eight years and feel great to have her join the administration as we launch into a third term. She is uniquely qualified for the job."

"As a lifelong Washingtonian who has dedicated my career to public service, I am excited to join Governor Inslee’s team during this critical moment in our history and to continue serving the people of our state," Jamila Thomas said in a press release. "David is an incredible leader and it is an honor to come into this role after him."

"Postman is an extraordinary crisis manager, can untangle complex political and policy disputes and always stood with the staff, making sure they were able to do their best work for the people of Washington," Inslee said in a press release. "Postman made time for everyone, not just the political insiders. He would spend an hour outside in the rain in respectful dialogue with protestors, could go nose to nose with angry folks in our lobby and worked to respond to Washingtonians who wrote with a complaint or a request for help, sometimes finding himself in an ongoing and positive correspondence."