Strengthening Washington's Public Schools

President: Mary Lindquist

Lindquist took office as the WEA president July 2007. She started "teaching school" with playmates in her neighborhood as a child.

Lindquist was chief negotiator for the Mercer Island EA for more than 20 years. She was MIEA president for 12 years and Sammamish UniServ Council president since 2000. She joined the WEA Board in 2001 where she served on the executive committee and several other committees. Lindquist taught high school language arts and social studies for 33 years.

She's received numerous teaching awards including being named Washington State Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year and the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund.

An avid reader and writer, Mary's hobbies include travel and cooking. Read e-chalk, Mary's biweekly e-column.

Vice President: Mike Ragan

Ragan took office as the WEA vice president July 2007.

Ragan says he would not have considered college if not for a high school counselor in suburban Philadelphia. Ragan graduated with a degree in engineering and physics then worked all over the country as an engineer.

While accompanying his wife who was teaching overseas, Ragan studied psychology and education. He received his teaching certificate at Heritage College in Toppenish then completed his student teaching while earning his Masters in Counseling Psychology from Washington State University.

Ragan became active in his association soon after he began as a science teacher in Kennewick 13 years ago. He served on the bargaining and grievance committees, building representative, local vice president, WEA-Southeast UniServ Council president, WEA Budget and Finance Committee, WEA Board of Directors and executive committee.

He enjoys cooking, star gazing, eclectic reading and music and good movies. Read Mike's blog here.

Executive Director: John Okamoto

Okamoto came to WEA as executive director in May 2008 after working as the chief administrative officer for the Port of Seattle.

He brings a strong personal commitment to our state's public schools and the value of public education. Okamoto plans to use the experiences he gained working on international commerce for Washington to reach out to state business leaders in support of education.

"Collaboration has been one of my strengths in my career," Okamoto said. "I already have built solid connections within the business community, the community at large, and with elected officials at the state and federal levels. It seems like there is so much support for public education, yet we often don't agree on how to get there. My goal is to help find common ground, and then move forward."

At the Port, Okamoto oversaw public affairs, government relations, human resources, labor and other key departments. Previously, Okamoto had served as an assistant secretary for the state Department of Transportation, and in cabinet-level posts as engineering director and human resources director for the City of Seattle. He is a Seattle native, a graduate of the University of Washington, has taught business courses in China, and has a lengthy community service record including board positions with the Trade Development Alliance, the Seattle Aquarium Society, the Japan-America Society, the Mountains to Sound Greenway, and Leadership Tomorrow.