Biography

Serving his fourth term, Sam represents the 22nd District - the cities of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and unincorporated northern Thurston County, including Cooper Point, Boston Harbor, and Johnson Point. He is Chair of the State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee and also serves on the Appropriations Committee and the Select Committee on Environmental Health.

Sam has also worked as Director of Legislative Affairs, Department of Information Services, a public school teacher in Pasco and Montesano, Governor Gardner's Special Assistant for K-12 Education, Staff Director to the Washington State Senate Majority Leader, and on the staff of the United States Senate Appropriations Committee under Senator Warren G. Magnuson. He is a former member of the North Thurston Public Schools' Board of Directors and Pasco City Council.

Community activities include the Olympia Kiwanis Club, the North Thurston Education Foundation Board of Trustees, the K-20 Education Network Board and President of the South Sound Cougar Club (WSU). He is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Nature Conservancy, Washington Chapter, the Thurston County Community Drug Court Foundation Board of Directors, and the Washington State Historical Society Board of Trustees.

He received his degree and teaching certificate from Washington State University and took post-graduate studies at Washington State University and the University of Oregon.

Sam and his wife, Charlene, have lived in Olympia for over 25 years. They have two grown children, Hillary, and Nathan who also reside in the district.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:
State Government and Tribal Affairs, Chair

Appropriations

Select Committee on Environmental Health