Overview

Keep Washington Safe and Working

L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety, health, and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers. We help employers meet safety and health standards, and we inspect workplaces when alerted to hazards.

As administrators of the state's workers' compensation system, we are similar to a large insurance company, providing medical and limited wage-replacement coverage to workers who suffer job-related injuries and illness. Our rules and enforcement programs also help ensure workers are paid what they are owed, that children's and teens' work hours are limited, and that consumers are protected from unsound building practices.

We serve customers in 19 offices throughout Washington and have approximately 2,800 skilled employees, including safety inspectors, claims specialists, nurses, researchers, accountants, labor experts, and support staff.

Protecting the health and safety of workers

L&I's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) administers the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) law by developing and enforcing rules that protect workers from hazardous job conditions.

Our inspectors visit about 5,000 workplaces each year and cite businesses that violate health and safety rules. Each year, we also conduct about 2,500 free, on-site safety and health consultations for employers who request our help complying with these rules in their unique workplaces. We also conduct research into workplace health and safety, which focuses on promoting healthy work environments and preventing workplace injuries and illnesses.

Ensuring medical care and financial help for injured workers

Our claim managers oversee benefits to workers who are injured or become ill on the job. They also work closely with doctors, employers, and counselors to help severely injured employees return to paid employment.

Washington's workers' compensation system is funded by premiums from employers and workers and income from investments. We also regulate about 400 large, self-insured employers who have qualified to provide their own workers' compensation insurance.

Protecting workers' wages, hours, breaks, and more

We enforce child labor laws, as well as laws that protect workers' wages and working conditions. Our agency also oversees apprenticeship programs and administers rules covering prevailing wage on public-works construction projects.

Protecting the public from unsafe work and economic hardship

Our technical experts protect the public by inspecting electrical work, boilers, elevators, and manufactured homes. We also test and license electricians, certify plumbers, and issue operating permits for amusement rides.

Our agency registers construction contractors, requiring them to be insured and bonded. We also provide an easy-to-use website that allows customers to see whether a contractor is bonded and insured and alerts them to problems associated with hiring unregistered contractors.

Get More Information About L&I

Leadership Team

L&I's various and diverse programs are led by a group of hard-working professionals and subject matter experts known as the department's Leadership Team. In addition to leading their programs on a day-to-day basis, this group works together to determine future direction and policies for the entire organization. In essence, they are L&I's brain trust.

Biographies

Joel Sacks, Director

Joel Sacks was appointed Director of the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) in January, 2013 by Governor Jay Inslee. L&I’s mission is to “keep Washington safe and working.” The agency administers many vital programs including the state’s workers’ compensation system and its occupational safety and health program.

In Joel’s time as L&I director, long-term disability rates for injured workers have been reduced more than 20 percent. L&I is a national leader in creating innovative programs and incentives that help injured workers heal and return to work. The agency also helped workers recover millions of dollars owed to them in wages through wage complaint investigations. Fewer on-the-job injuries and improvements in helping injured workers heal and return to work led to a 5 percent reduction in workers’ compensation rates for 2019 — the biggest drop in a decade. The rate dropped again for 2020 — the third consecutive year that workers’ compensation rates have declined in Washington.

Joel’s position at L&I makes him one of three ex-officio members serving on the Washington State Investment Board (WSIB). He is currently the Chair of the WSIB and a member of the Private Markets, Audit, and Administrative Committees.

Previously he worked at the state Employment Security Department for nearly eight years, serving as Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner for the Budget, Policy and Communication Division.

Prior to joining Employment Security, he was Deputy Director of Field Services at L&I. He also served four years at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the U.S. Department of Labor.

Joel holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Haverford College and a master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Public Affairs. He lives in Olympia with his wife and two daughters.

Elizabeth (Liz) Smith, Deputy Director

Elizabeth Smith was appointed as deputy director in March 2018. She previously served as assistant director for L&I's Fraud Prevention & Labor Standards division. Liz's other positions at L&I include program manager for the Worker's Comp Fraud Prevention and Compliance program, the Employment Standards program, and the L&I Office of Apprenticeship.

Before joining L&I in 2004, Liz worked as legislative staff for the California State Senate. Liz graduated from Western Washington University and completed a post-graduate Public Affairs Leadership Fellowship through the Coro Foundation.

Randi Warick, Deputy Director for Financial Management

Randi Warick was appointed the deputy director of Financial Management at L&I in 2013.

Before working for L&I, Randi served as the assistant commissioner for the Budget, Performance, and Research Division at the Employment Security Department.

During her 28-year career of state service, Randi has held senior leadership roles for 6 other state agencies, including the Department of Corrections and the Office of Financial Management.

Randi and her husband enjoy spending time outdoors and have 2 children, both of whom are in college.

Kim Contris, Assistant Director, Web & Communication Services

Kim Contris was appointed L&I's Assistant Director for Communications in 1997. Before joining L&I, Kim was Director of Education and Information for the Department of Ecology for four years, Director of Quality and Communications Services for the Department of Licensing for four years, and Director of Media and Legislative Relations for the Department of General Administration for 3 years.

Kim graduated from Whitman College in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in English, and received her Master's Degree in Public Administration from the Evergreen State College in 1987.

Heather Normoyle, Assistant Director, Office of Human Resources

Heather Normoyle was appointed Assistant Director of L&I's Office of Human Resources in February 2019.

Heather has worked in the human resources field for over 20 years, much of that time in the private sector. She joined L&I in 2015 as Human Resources Operations Manager.

Heather holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and is a certified facilitator in Myers Briggs, Franklin Covey, and Achieve Global curriculum. She graduated in 1998 from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration. 

Heather lives in Tumwater with her husband, Eli, and their 4 children. She volunteers her time throughout the community supporting youth sports.

Tammy Fellin, Legislative Director, Government Affairs & Policy Division

Tammy Fellin joined Labor and Industries in 2013 as the legislative director. She served in this same role at the Employment Security Department and was a lobbyist for the Association of Washington Cities.

After nearly 2 decades in the legislative arena, she still considers it a privilege to do this work. She finished her bachelor's degree at The Evergreen State College and her Master of Public Administration degree at the University of Washington Evans School of Public Affairs.

Steve Reinmuth, Assistant Director, Administrative Services

Assistant Director for the Administrative Services Division since 2017, Steve Reinmuth previously served at L&I as chief legal counsel and Deputy Assistant Director of the Insurance Services Division. Prior to that, he was chief of staff and chief legal counsel at the Washington Department of Transportation.

Steve and his wife, Jill, live in Olympia and are the proud parents of 2 adult twins – one on each coast.

Jennifer Myers, Director, Office of Internal Audit

Jennifer Myers joined L&I in April 2018 as the director of Internal Audit. She and her team provide expert advice to agency leaders on governance, risk, and control issues, and manages the agency's independent assurance function. She serves as L&I's liaison with external regulatory and oversight agencies related to audits, reviews, and investigations.

Jennifer is a CPA and is active in the local chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors.

Jennifer has 23 years of experience with auditing in state government. Most recently, she was an internal audit supervisor at the Health Care Authority from 2014 – 2018. Before that, she spent 19 years at the State Auditor's Office auditing state and local governments. Jennifer was previously involved in auditing L&I as an external auditor, so she already has some familiarity with the agency.

She graduated in 1994 from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. She lives in Olympia with her husband and 2 children.

Vickie Kennedy, Assistant Director, Insurance Services

Vickie Kennedy became L&I's Assistant Director for Insurance Services in April, 2013. Vickie has been with L&I in the workers' compensation field for more than 45 years. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) and also chairs the IAIABC's Disability Management and Return to Work Committee.

Formerly, she was the Director's Chief Policy Advisor and worked closely with agency leadership, external stakeholders and legislators on workers' compensation policy and approaches to improve Washington's system for employers and injured workers. She has also managed the Insurance Services Policy and Quality Coordination and Pension programs.

David Marty, Assistant Director, Information Technology

David Marty was appointed Assistant Director of L&I's Information Technology Division in April 2017.

For 12 years before coming to L&I, David worked for the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, where he served in several roles including chief information officer within the agency's Operations Division. Prior to that, he worked for the Liquor Control Board for 10 years, serving in numerous positions within the Administrative Services and Regulatory divisions.

David holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Saint Martin's College. He lives in Olympia with his wife and 2 children.

Maggie Leland, Assistant Director, Governmental Affairs & Policy Division

No current biography.

Nathan Petty, Director of Lean, Lean Transformation Office

No current biography.

David Puente, Assistant Director, Field Services & Public Safety

David Puente was appointed assistant director for L&I's Field Services and Public Safety Division (FSPS) in January 2018. David started working for L&I as a fraud investigator in 1992. He has served as a safety and health specialist and industrial hygienist, Division of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH) compliance manager, DOSH Deputy Assistant Director, and Assistant Director for the Office of Human Resources.

David has a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational safety and health from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash. He enjoys serving his community by being a member of the Washington Officials Association, the South Sound Football Official Association, and the South Sound Umpires Association, officiating baseball and football in our surrounding communities.

Chris Bowe, Assistant Director, Fraud Prevention and Labor Standards

Chris Bowe was appointed Assistant Director of L&I's Fraud Prevention and Labor Standards division in August 2018.

Chris has worked for the department for over 30 years, mostly in the area of compliance. A majority of those years was in senior leadership roles with L&I's field services division. Just prior to becoming Assistant Director, Chris led the underwriting section in employer services.

Chris graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in Business Administration. He completed executive training course work through the Kennedy School at Harvard and the Evans School at the University of Washington.

Chris lives in Chehalis with his wife, Wendy, and one adult son. They keep busy tending to their 5 acres and chasing after their 4 dogs and 1 cat.

Anne Soiza, Assistant Director, Division of Occupational Safety & Health

Anne Soiza was appointed L&I assistant director for the Division of Occupational Safety & Health in March 2012 after a lengthy career in public health and safety. Since 2012, she has been appointed as a member, then Chair of the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety & Health (NACOSH), which advises the U. S. Secretaries of Labor and Health and Human Services. She also is a National Board Director on the Occupational Safety and Health State Plans Association.

Anne started with L&I in 1987 in what is now the Division of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH). Before coming to L&I, she worked in the chemical industry in the Midwest and the Department of Health's Radiation Control Program. While at L&I, Anne has held several industrial hygiene field and technical policy positions, as well as senior management positions for Training and Outreach and Statewide Compliance. In 2008, Anne was appointed Washington's Director of Pipeline Safety at the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. She returned to L&I late in 2009 to serve as the deputy assistant director for DOSH. Anne has a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Willamette University. She and her spouse are long time Futbol and Football fans, active in their local community and are smoothly transitioning to grandparenthood.

Boards and Committees

Boards and Committees

Last updated: March 2018

Advisory Board of Plumbers

Members Affiliation Term Start Term End
John Tapani Journeyman Plumber 07-15-13 07-01-19
Ed Holmes Journey Level Plumber 07-01-18
Scott Fowler Specialty Plumbing Business 07-01-16 07-01-19
Dave Weisbeck Public Member 11-05-09 07-01-18
Linda Houser Plumbing Business 07-01-14 07-01-17
Evan Conklin Plumbing Business 07-01-12 07-01-18
Dave Weickum Well Driller 07-01-15 07-01-18

Advisory Committee on Health Care Innovation and Evaluation

Industrial Insurance Medical Advisory Committee
Dianna Chamblin, MD
Andrew Friedman, MD
Robert Waring, MD
Alternate: Kirk Harmon, MD
Industrial Insurance Chiropractic Advisory Committee
Clay Bartness, DC
Ron Wilcox, DC
Alternate: Mike Dowling, DC
Business
Rebecca Forrestor, Group Health Cooperative
John Meier, Employer Resources Northwest
Lisa Vivian, Eberle Vivian, Inc.
Labor
Sofia Aragon, JD, RN, Wa State Nurses Association
Dave Myers, Washington Building and Trades Council
Teri Rideout, Attorney
Alternate: Joe Kendo, WA State Labor Council

Board of Boiler Rules

Members Affiliation Term Start Term End
Terry Chapin, Chair Boilermakers/Operators 08-22-16 08-22-20
Jeff Waytashek, PE Owner/Users 08-22-17 08-22-21
Lisa Hawkins, PE Professional Engineers 08-23-15 08-22-19
Isaac Osborn Manufacturers 11-06-17 08-22-19
Jeff Barnes Insurance Companies 08-26-14 08-22-18

Electrical Board

Members Affiliation Term Start Term End
Bobby Gray Electrical Contractor 07-08-15 07-07-19
Don Baker Electrical Contractor 07-08-15 07-07-19
David Cornwall Manufacturer Rep 07-08-15 07-07-19
Janet Lewis Electrician 07-08-14 07-07-18
Jason Jenkins Electrician 07-08-16 07-07-19
John Brickey Local Jurisdiction 07-08-16 07-07-20
Kevin Schmidt Telecommunication Contractor 08-26-14 07-07-18
Mike Nord Telecommunication Worker 07-08-13 07-07-17
Dylan Cunningham Engineer 08-01-17 07-07-21
David Ward Electrical Utility Rep 07-08-16 07-07-20
Randy Scott General Public Member 08-26-14 07-07-18
Tracy Prezeau Electrician 07-08-13 07-07-17
Alice Phillips Outside Line Worker 08-01-17 07-07-21
Dominic Burke Electrical Contractor 07-08-13 07-07-17
Ryan LaMar Telecommunication Provider 07-08-16 07-07-20
Stephen D. Thornton Chief Electrical Inspector
(non-voting)

Elevator Safety Advisory Committee

Members Position Term Start Term End
Licensed Elevator Contractors / Chairperson
Rob McNeill Primary 07-01-15 06-30-19
Vacant Alternate
Owner Employed Mechanics Exempt From Licensing
Scott Cleary Primary 06-01-16 06-30-20
Lyall Wohlschlager Alternate 06-01-16 06-30-20
Registered General Contractors
Garry Wood Primary 11-01-17 06-30-21
Vacant Alternate
Building Owners and Managers
Dave Nieman Primary 08-01-15 06-30-19
Ad Hoc
Paul Jones Primary 08-01-17 06-30-21
Al Sorensen Alternate 07-01-15 06-30-19
Elevator Mechanics Licensed To Perform All Types of Conveyance Work
Patrick Strafer Primary 04-01-16 06-30-20
Jim Norris Alternate 04-01-16 06-30-20
Representative of Registered Architects or Professional Engineers
Vacant Primary

Factory Assembled Structures Advisory Board

Members Represents Term Start Term End
Joan Brown, Chair Manufactured Housing 08-19-03 07-01-16
Mike Lubliner, Vice Chair Factory Built Structures 06-09-08 07-01-12
Craig Sedlacek, Secretary Program Manager, FAS 08-01-12 08-01-16
Don Carlson Consumer 02-01-12 02-01-16
Steve Hart Building Officials 08-01-12 08-01-16
Michael Szramek Professional Engineer 08-19-03 02-01-16
Craig Hillis Consumer 06-18-16 07-01-18
Wade Elliott RV and PM&RV 11-25-15 12-01-17
Gary Stoskopf Manufactured Housing 02-01-12 02-02-16
Alan Duer Factory Built Structures 02-01-15 02-28-19

Industrial Insurance Chiropractic Advisory Committee (IICAC)

Members Affiliation Term End
Robert Baker, DC Public 02-15-19
Clay Bartness, DC Public 02-15-21
David Folweiler, DC Public 04-03-19
Michael Dowling, DC Public 02-15-20
Lissa Grannis, DC Public 02-15-20
J.F. Lawhead, DC Public 02-15-20
William Pratt, DC Public 02-15-21
Michael Neely, DC Public 12-14-21
Ron Wilcox, DC Public 02-19-29

Industrial Insurance Medical Advisory Committee (IIMAC)

Members Affiliation Term End
Gregory Carter, MD Public 10-31-19
Gregory Gutke, MD Public 09-30-18
Kirk Harmon, MD Public 09-30-19
Robert G.R. Lang, MD Public 09-03-19
Linda Seaman, MD Public 04-01-20
Stephen Thielke, MD Public 10-31-19
David Tauben, MD Public 10-31-19
Andrew Friedman, MD Public 09-30-19
Diana Chamblin, MD Public 10-31-19
Christopher Howe, MD Public 11-01-19
Monica Haines, DO Public 10-13-15
JC Leveque, MD Public 10-31-14
Michael Codsi, MD Public 07-15-19
Malcolm Butler, MD Public 10-01-19

Insolvency Trust Board

Members Affiliation Term Start Term End
Matt Saxon, REI Business 03-31-13 03-31-19
Kris Tefft, WSIA Business 03-31-17 03-31-19
Joe Kendo, Legislative & Policy Director Labor 03-31-14 03-31-18
John Snyder, CFO/COO Business 03-31-16 03-31-18
Jim Nylander, Self-Insurance Program Manager Public
Brian Schmidlkofer, Compliance Operations Manager Public

Prevailing Wage Advisory Committee (PWAC)

Members Affiliation
Heidi Jensen Awarding Agency
Kathleen Kline Awarding Agency
Andrew Pittelkau Awarding Agency
James Thompson Awarding Agency
Bruce Chattin Business
Andy Kaplowitz Business
Ed Kommers Business
Wendy Novak Business
Jerry Vanderwood (alternate) Business
Monty Anderson Labor
Andrew Ledbetter Labor
Josh Swanson Labor
Mark Riker Labor

Self Insurance Curriculum Review Committee

Members Affiliation Term Start Term End
Jane Dale, Causey Law Firm Labor 08-01-16 07-31-18
Eric Gonzalez, WSLC Labor 08-01-17 07-31-19
Natalee Fillinger, Fillinger/Shima Law Firm Business 08-01-16 07-31-18
Debbie Summers, Penser North America Business 08-01-15 07-31-17
Kelli Zimmerman Public**
Melinda Bonson Public**

**Not all public representatives attend each meeting.

WISHA Advisory Committee

Members Affiliation Term End
Linda Williams Non-voting member
Tammie Hetrick Business 06-30-16
Claude Golden Business 06-30-18
Mark Gauger Business 06-30-21
Pamela Tabert Business 06-30-20
Vacant Labor
Ed Wood, Jr. Labor 06-30-19
Mark Riker Labor 06-30-21
Samantha Grad Labor 06-30-20
Anne Soiza, Chair Public

Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee

Members Affiliation Term Start Term End
Joel Sacks, L&I Public
Vickie Kennedy, L&I Public
Linda Williams, Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals Public 12-01-16 Present
Mike Roozen, Washington Bulb Company Business 09-11-14 07-31-17
Sheri Sundstrom, Hoffman Corporation Business 01-01-18 12-31-20
Tammie Hetrick, Washington Retail Association Business 04-12-16 12-31-19
Bob Battles, Association of Washington Business Business 08-01-17 07-31-20
Joe Kendo, WA State Labor Council, AFL-CIO Labor 10-01-17 09-30-20
Karen Gude, United Food & Commercial Workers Union Labor 05-01-16 04-30-19
Mark Riker, Labor Council Labor 03-01-18 02-29-20
Brenda Wiest, Teamsters Local 117 Labor 06-23-16 06-30-19
Public Data

Public Data and Look-Up Tools

Injury and fatality statistics

Facts, figures, and look-up tools

Medical provider reports

Rates and rating

Self-insurance files

Workers' comp files

Contact Us About Public Data

Research & Data Services Program Manager Lisann Rolle

Lisann.Rolle@Lni.wa.gov
360-902-6785