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
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.
In Joel's time as L&I director, long-term disability rates for injured workers have been reduced more than 20%. The agency has 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% reduction in workers' compensation rates for 2019 — the biggest drop in a decade.
Joel's position at L&I makes him one of 3 ex-officio members serving on the Washington State Investment Board (WSIB). He is the vice-chair of the WSIB Committee and a member of the Private Markets, Audit, and Administrative Committees.
Previously he worked at the state Employment Security Department for nearly 8 years, serving as deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner for the Budget, Policy, and Communication Division.
Before joining Employment Security, he was deputy director of Field Services at L&I. He also served 4 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 2 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 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 was 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 Commissions
Last updated: March 2018
- Advisory Board of Plumbers
- Advisory Committee on Health Care Innovation and Evaluation
- Board of Boiler Rules
- Electrical Board
- Elevator Safety Advisory Committee
- Factory Assembled Structures Advisory Board
- Industrial Insurance Chiropractic Advisory Committee (IICAC)
- Industrial Insurance Medical Advisory Committee (IIMAC)
- Insolvency Trust Board
- Prevailing Wage Advisory Committee (PWAC)
- Self Insurance Curriculum Review Committee
- Washington Apprenticeship & Training Council (WSATC)
- WISHA Advisory Committee
- Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee
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 and Look-Up Tools
Injury and fatality statistics
- Federal data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities (IIF) program
- Washington State Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) injury and fatality statistics
Facts, figures, and look-up tools
- L&I Facts and Figures (2018)
- L&I online apps, tools, services, and calculators
- Your Premium Dollars at Work (2018) (F200-029-000)
- State Fund financial reports
Medical provider reports
Rates and rating
Self-insurance files
Workers' comp files
- Hours and premiums by risk class
- Injury data from claims
- Premium range, retro status, and contact information
Contact Us About Public Data
Research & Data Services Program Manager Lisann Rolle
Lisann.Rolle@Lni.wa.gov
360-902-6785