A WASHINGTON STEM TRANSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Friends, Partners, and Supporters,

Washington STEM has worked for the past six years to advance excellence, innovation, and equity in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for all Washington students.

Today we are launching into a new chapter of our growth as an organization. Our CEO for the past five years, Patrick D’Amelio, has announced he will be departing our organization effective April 14, 2017. Patrick will be joining the Washington State Charter Schools Association as their CEO. We thank Patrick for all the work he did to grow, mature, and stabilize Washington STEM.

Washington STEM is in a strong position having scaled up our efforts to develop sound policies, strong partnerships, and innovative programs. We’ve worked with the state of Washington to develop and amplify computer science education and career connected learning grants. We’ve added four new Networks to our growing list of statewide partners – Capital STEAM Network, Tacoma STEAM Network, Apple STEM Network, and Skagit STEM Network. We have a strong Board and talented staff that have been with us since the founding of Washington STEM, and we continue to attract new talent as we build momentum. We’re all deeply committed to moving the vision forward.

The Washington STEM Board is in the process of developing a transition plan to ensure our work to support STEM education continues and grows so that every student is prepared for their future. Our mission and work have attracted exceptional talent to our team, and we expect our next CEO will build on the strong base Patrick helped establish while enhancing our work with their own skill sets.

Please join me in thanking Patrick and wishing him well in his future ventures. We look forward to our continued execution of Washington STEM’s mission. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Mike Delaney

Board Chair, Washington STEM

Vice president and General Manager of Airplane Development, Boeing