The History of WAVA, from 1972 to present..... 

1972-1973 First president, Joe Brisson, who was forced into service.  WAVA had 15-20 members and met at the Chinook Hotel in Yakima in an effort to bring the common school vocational administrators together.  Secondary directors recognized a subgroup of the Washington Council of Local Vocational Administrators.

1973-1974 President Al Green, Vocational Director, Clover Park Vocational Technical Institute.  Felt a need to deal with legislative issues affecting vocational education.

1974-1975 President Bill Moran, Vocational Director, Edmonds School District.  Vocational Administrative Internship started.

1975-1976 President Harvey Kaul, Vocational Director, Kitsap Peninsula Vocational Skills Center.  Washington Association of Vocational Administrators formed a separate group with own bylaws.  WAVA recognized by OSPI.  WAVA represented on WVA board.

1976-1977 President David Steele, Vocational Director, North Thurston School District.  Had been secretary for three years.  Started Project GIVE:  WAVA Members participating in other organizations; i.e., "Groups Impacting Vocational Education."  Had the idea of a Steering Committee as an adjunct to the Vocational Division at SPI.  Began the concept of geographic area groups for legislative purposes.

1977-1978 President Ken Watson, Vocational Director, Marysville School District.  Membership around 100.  Began using an agenda for the Steering Committee meetings.  Put together a more sophisticated legislative network.  The first Secretary/Directors' Workshop occurred.

1978-1979 President Jim Cantrell, Vocational Director, Auburn School District, began the year.  Ken Hilliard assumed his duties midway through the year.

1979-1980 President Ken Hilliard, Vocational Director, Sumner School District, was re-elected for another year.  The organization began to focus on Inservice Programs.

1980-1981 President Jim Capelli, Clover Park Vocational Technical Institute.  Started back up in membership and involvement.  Ninety-seven members joined.  The organization finally won some legislative clout.  The WAVA position with WVA was strengthened.  We became a visible administrative organization.  The president elect became responsible for WAVA inservice.

1981-1982 President Steve Rasmussen, Vocational Director, Eastmont School District.  Enhanced Project GIVE.  Worked with WASA on a cooperative inservice where 300 people attended.  Membership was 126.  For the first time, the Fall and Spring Vocational Administrators’ Conference was co-sponsored with SPI which allowed better use of resources (and let WAVA piggy-back on their expenditures!).  Funding ratio for secondary vocational was reduced from 16.67 to 18.3, Skills Center ratio remained at 16.67.

1982-1983 President Al Burmester, Vocational Director, North Thurston School District.  The legislative network became really strong; the legislative tree was developed and utilized successfully.  The Area Groups began more organized meetings and the format of WAVA's organization, as we know it today, took shape.  A very successful series of inservices occurred.  Membership grew to 147.

1983-1984 President Glenn Grandy, Lake Stevens School District.  There were 158 members.

1984-1985 President Carolyn R. Stella, Director, Tri-City Area Vocational Skills Center.  Held the organization together during the 3609 Committee Hearing around the state.  Membership was 151.  The Area Groups met and functioned well.  The WAVA bookkeeping system was reorganized by Secretary-Treasurer Karen Hansen.

1985-1986 President Pauline Anderson, Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute.  WAVA's efforts focused on Awareness, Advocacy, and Action.  The Bylaws were rewritten.  Youth and legislative awards were established as well as a Past Presidents' Committee.  Jan Carlson replaced Bruce Brennan as Assistant Superintendent of Vocational Technical Education on September 9, 1985.

1986-1987 President Don Fowler, Director, Lake Washington Vocational Technical Institute.  Inservice training for administrators was emphasized focusing on the general theme of Marketing Vocational Education.  Guidelines for an Administrator Mentor Program were developed.  Funding ratio increased to 17.75.

1987-1988 President Karen Hansen, Vocational Director, Puyallup School District.  The theme, Vocational Education Works, was emphasized through marketing efforts, inservice training, and the management of the program of work.  A successful plan was developed for the support of legislative efforts.  A strong network of committees and linkages with other organizations was established.  The newsletter was strengthened as a method of communication to WAVA Members.  Through conference fees and membership dues, the WAVA treasury reached a balance in excess of $10,000 thus enabling WAVA to establish a scholarship fund for vocational graduates.  Membership grew to a total of 189 members.

1988-1989 President Jim Taylor, Director, New Market Vocational Skills Center.  WAVA implemented student scholarship program.  Funding ratio moved from 17.75 to 17.5.

1989-1990 President Nils Ladderud, Vocational Director, Kent School District.  Jan Carlson retires, Jay Wood named Acting Director on June 30, 1990.

1990-1991 President Lanny Fitch, Vocational Director, Wenatchee School District.  WAVA worked to no avail to keep VTI Administrators involved.  Five VTIs leave K-12 system and move to community college system.  Secondary funding ratio increased to 17.075 from 17.5.  Tom Lopp named Assistant Superintendent for Vocational and Adult Educational Services, OSPI, August 1, 1990.  WAVA Membership was 26

1991-1992 President Dennis Milliken, Vocational Director, Northshore School District.  WAVA, in cooperation with WVA, OSPI, and the legislature, achieved recognition of certain high school vocational courses to meet baccalaureate institution entrance requirements.  Also, a process was identified by which high schools could request university recognition of specific classes to meet entrance requirements.  WAVA conferences expanded to include companion groups/associations (principals, counselors, and special education directors).  WAVA gained official membership on the WVA Board.  WCLVA merged into WAVA, with WAVA recognized as the official state vocational administrator professional organization.  Dennis Milliken became the first WAVA President to be featured in a WAVA Journal centerfold (March 1992).  Funding ratio restored to 16.67 from 17.075.  Tom Lopp changes positions to Deputy Superintendent for Workforce Education and Government Relations at OSPI.  Jay Wood named Vocational Director, March 1, 1992.  VTIs were moved to community college system, September 1, 1991.  WAVA Membership was 272.

1992-1993 President Bruce Hawkins, Vocational Director, Kennewick School District.  WAVA worked to influence deployment of Goal 4, HB 1209.  WAVA formed a Symposium (advanced philosophy group) with NWREL to study issues facing Vocational Technical Education.  WAVA Fall Inservice focused on partnerships bringing together Washington Association for Partners in Education and curriculum directors.  SPI staffing further reduced by legislative action.  WAVA Membership was 312.  Vocational certification moved from vocational division to general certification.

1993-1994 President Mike Bjur, Vocational Director, Evergreen School District.  Mike and Bruce served as co-presidents through January with resignation of Marilyn Ash as president elect.  WAVA established funding study resource team to assist the LEAP committee with a study of secondary vocational funding.  WAVA partnered with WSNOBE for fall conference and over 700 attended.  WAVA Membership was 291.

1994-1995 President John Schieche, Director, Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center.  WAVA focused on strategic planning efforts in an attempt to bring education reform and workforce development partners together around common elements.  WAVA Membership was 285.

1995-1996 President Jay Leviton, Vocational Director, Renton School District.  The WAVA Fall Conference partnered with Community College Occupational Educators Fall Conference in Bellevue.  WAVA/WVA combined forces in co-sponsoring a legislative policy seminar and legislative recognition event.  Jay Wood retired December 30, 1995, and is succeeded by Tom Lopp who assumes Vocational Director duties as well as School-to-Work and other assignments.  WAVA Membership was 277.  A second study of vocational funding commissioned by the legislature.

1996-1997 President Mo Anduiza, Director, Kitsap Peninsula Vocational Skills Center.  During 1996-1997, WAVA leadership focused on teamwork and communications.  Programs of work under the following “Lessons from Geese” were developed at leadership retreats in September and June.  The Spring Conference celebrated 25 years with a special luncheon honoring past presidents.  Funding issues remained critical!

1997-1998 President Mike Hickman, Director of Vocational Education, Olympia School District.  WAVA efforts focused primarily on two fronts; the role of vocational-technical education in the education reform efforts in Washington, and fighting a legislative “use it or lose it” budget proviso on certificated staffing ratios which could have cost voc-ed over twelve million dollars.  A Vocational-Technical Education Futuring Task Force was appointed by State Superintendent Terry Bergeson to develop a mission and vision for voc-ed, to recommend a model for OSPI agency staffing for voc-ed, and to formulate some basic elements of a strategic plan.  The Task Force reported their findings and recommendations to Dr. Bergeson during two work sessions in late spring, and to the vocational education community at the summer WVA Conference.  Through efforts of many WAVA Members, the “use it or lose it” budget proviso was modified by the legislature to make compliance easier and to moderate the fiscal impact.  The funding formula staffing ratio was increased to 19.5 and the NERC factor was increased to $19,775.  WAVA Membership was 180.

1998-1999 President Susan Longstreth, Director of Professional-Technical Education, Bremerton School District.  The leadership focus for this year was the "power of change."  Several OSPI vocational-technical staff changes occurred and WAVA was proactive in supporting new initiatives with members serving on a variety of committees and taskforces.  WAVA and WVA co-sponsored a training workshop for section leaders to address the report to Dr. Bergeson, "Futuring for Vocational-Technical Education."  OSPI was urged to study the impact of increasing indirect charges that school districts are levying on vocational education.

1999-2000          President Kevin Plambeck, Career and Technical Education Director, Stanwood-Camano School District.  WAVA entered the Internet age with the establishment of a web site, www.wavanet.org.  A successful WAVA Fall Conference was held at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington, in conjunction with the National Council of Local Administrators’ regional conference.  The rollout of new Program Standards for Vocational Education focused many activities of the WAVA organization.  As a result of the elimination of Program 94 (and after a presentation by OSPI staff at the Spring Conference), OSPI established a committee of business and vocational directors to review proposals to revise vocational funding formulas and rules to ensure that vocational programs are appropriately funded, accounting standards for vocational program costs, and discussion of the Biennial Budget request for vocational funding.  This committee continued their work into the 2000-2001 school year.  WAVA continued its proactive approach in its mission to provide leadership to enhance and support Career and Technical Education by the involvement of members on various committees, taskforces, and commissions.  WAVA Membership continued to grow with a total of 271 members.

2000-2001 President Dennis Kampe, Director, Clark County Skills Center.  Two very successful WAVA Conferences were held in 2000-2001.  The Fall Conference was held in Spokane.  The Spring Conference was held in Olympia.  WAVA also co-sponsored the Legislative Policy Seminar with WA-ACTE in February 2001.  Two important issues were addressed during the year: (1) the Career and Technical legislation was passed by the legislature and (2) the work of the OSPI Funding Taskforce, consisting of vocational directors and business managers, ended—after several meetings—with a decision to disagree over the amount of directs and indirects to be charged to vocational education.  Legislation followed that repealed the vocational staffing and indirect language.  WAVA Membership during 2000-2001 was 276 members.

2001-2002          President Dennis Kampe, Director, Clark County Skills Center.  WAVA presented two very successful conferences in 2001-2002.  The Fall Conference was held in Sea-Tac with attendance soaring to 200 attendees.  The Spring Conference was held in Kennewick.  WAVA also co-sponsored the Legislative Policy Seminar with WA-ACTE in February.  Important issues that WAVA addressed during the year were (1) successfully reinstating budget language limiting the vocational indirects to 15% maximum after the legislature had removed any mention of indirect limits during the 2001 legislative session, (2) twenty WAVA Members served on the newly established OSPI Career and Technical Advisory Committee, (3) WAVA Membership approved amendments to the WAVA Bylaws changing the WAVA budget cycle to a calendar year and changing references to Vocational Education to Career and Technical Education, and (4) defining and implementing the new OSPI CTE Standards continued to be a major focus.  WA-ACTE administration membership was 294 with 202 WAVA Members.

2002-2003 President Don Howell, Director, Spokane Skills Center.  This brought one of the most difficult State budget sessions in anyone’s memory.  There were numerous cuts to education, but through the efforts of WAVA and WA-ACTE members, Career and Technical Education made it through with no cuts at all!  The “Options Bill” SSB 5505 passed, placing new language into law identifying Career and Technical Education as a required educational option for students.  Facing many leadership challenges during this difficult year, Don created the “Past-Presidents Advisory Council” to share a vast collection of wisdom, experience, and political history with the association, which contributed to the overall success of the association this year.  WAVA continued to receive excellent conference evaluations, and there is general recognition of the evolution of vocational leadership to include teachers, principals, and other educators.  The “Fall New Directors Workshop” has become a popular and permanent part of our annual inservice plan.  WA-ACTE administration membership was 285.

2003-2004 President Dennis Wallace, Career and Technical Education Director, Yelm High School.  Increasing the effectiveness of committee work, increasing communications with other professional groups with similar and dissimilar interests, increasing communications and membership desires through surveys, creating positive professional development through conferences, and continuing our efforts on the legislative front highlight this year.  Our Fall Conference in Renton featured Doug Manning from Bridges.com speaking on “Proactive Living–Where Achievement Begins” and breakout sessions detailing Best Practices, CTE Topics, and GLEs.  Spring Conference took on a more national perspective with keynote speaker Michael Brustein bringing the Federal viewpoint on Carl Perkins from within the Beltway and ended with Joe Estey weaving his motivational humor.  Best Practices and a host of state issues including Highly Qualified Teacher, more GLEs, Graduate follow-up, and CTE issues.  WAVA continues to co-sponsor a student-driven Legislative Policy Seminar in Olympia and made its presence known in Washington DC with Hill visits and participation in the National Legislative Policy Seminar.  Leadership training and planning continues to grow through our WAVA Retreat and Summer Conference is shaping up as an excellent wrap-up and kick-off for WAVA activities.  WA-ACTE administration membership was 285.

2004-2005 President Marla Barrett, Career and Technical Education Director, Lake Washington School District.  The name of WAVA changed to: WAVA—An Association of Career and Technical Education Administrators.  In order to garner support to retain teacher education programs in Marketing and Business Education, WAVA conducted a survey to establish the need to have trained teachers over the next five years.  A forum was held at Spring Conference to address the new HEC Board proposed college entrance requirements; WAVA participated in all of the state hearings and gave written comments to every Board member.  Re-authorization of Carl Perkins was at the forefront; visited/advocated for re-authorization to all Washington State legislators in Washington DC.  New state leader, Rod Duckworth, continues the CTE Advisory as a mechanism to gather advice from the field.  WAVA Administrator of the Year was Mike Hickman and Legislator of the Year was Jim Honeyford.  Mentors for the first time were recognized at Fall Conference.  Directors were involved in the CIP Code Transition because the use of new numbers is now required.  Progress was made on the Salary Schedule for Plan II Teachers but still was not resolved.  Membership in the organization grew to a record number of 303.  Participated in the Tech Ed/T&I Certification Task Force: recommendations were made to OSPI to allow flexibility in what the two areas can teach.  Several area groups focused on teacher inservice regarding the integration of academics into Career and Technical Education.  Another focus this year was on advocating CTE as an Alternative Assessment for the WASL.  The new Teacher Scholarship program was put in place this year.  WAVA served and was represented on a number of boards and other entities.  WAVA co-sponsored the Legislative Policy Seminar.  Fall and Spring conferences received very high ratings on evaluations.  A new requirement was implemented that allowed Plan II teachers “occupational experience” to include up to 4,000 hours of documented successful teaching in the specific content area for which they are certified.  The development of seven years of work on the new Program Standards was finalized at the Spring Conference.

2005-2006          President John Linder, Director, North Central Technical Skills Center, Wenatchee.  October 2005 - WAVA recognized two Legislators of the Year, Senators Phil Rockefeller and Tracey Eide for their outstanding support of CTE.  Each was presented with a plaque at a WAVA Area Group meeting in their respective districts.  WAVA held the Fall Conference in Spokane at the newly-remodeled Davenport Hotel.  November 2005 - Using a survey of CTE Directors, letters were written to CWU and EWU supporting the continuation of Business and Marketing Education programs.  December 2005 - WAVA members participated at the National ACTE Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, after Hurricane Katrina damaged New Orleans, the planned site for the 2005 ACTE Convention location.  February 2006 - WAVA co-sponsored the Legislative Policy Seminar with WA-ACTE.  March 2006 - WAVA officers attended the ACTE National Policy Seminar in Washington DC.  Members met with legislators on the re-authorization of Carl Perkins as a forefront of discussion.  WAVA held the Spring Conference in Wenatchee at the Red Lion Hotel.  June 2006 - WAVA held a Leadership Retreat in Seattle.  A Program of Work was developed for the upcoming year.  WAVA wrote letters to the Washington Learns committee in support of the work being conducted by the K-12 sub-committee.  August 2006 - WAVA members approved an amended Constitution and Bylaws to reflect the changes to the organization.  This amended Constitution and Bylaws follow a template provided by WA-ACTE.  WAVA membership grew to a record number of 312, a 3% increase from the previous year.  WAVA served and was represented on a number of boards and other entities.

2006-2007 President Shepherd Siegel, Director, Career+Technical Education, Seattle Public Schools.  Aught Six to Aught Seven saw a resurgence of CTE in the state, bearing the fruit of many years’ hard work.  It was a banner year in the state legislature, with significant legislation, including the prominence of CTE options for students preparing for and needing to re-take the WASL; CTE collections of evidence as an alternate path to the Certificate of Academic Achievement; continuation of funds to upgrade equipment; four skills center feasibility studies; and an initial investigation to ensure that a student can be a CTE concentrator and still meet all high school graduation requirements.  In a related area, CTE administrators were highly visible participants in a state board advisory group to their Meaningful High School Diploma committee.  This was the transition year to the fourth reauthorization of the Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, and WAVA worked with the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board to set up the state’s approach to Programs of Study and other parameters governing the new legislation.  WAVA began working with Central Washington University and WA-ACTE on the possibility of a Masters degree coupled with a principal/CTE administrator credential.  Fall conference was held in Vancouver, and in conjunction with NCLA, which lent it a national perspective and brought in leaders from Washington DC and around the country.  Spring conference was in Olympia, which was a pilot for what will now be a biennial sharing of the Legislative Policy Seminar with Washington ACTE–closing of the LPS will coincide with opening of the Spring WAVA Conference!  Senator Margarita Prentice and Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos were selected as Legislators of the Year.  Membership continued to grow, and with it the WAVA-sponsored New and New-to-CTE Directors’ Workshop.  Finally, the year saw WAVA play a lead role in the creation and release of fresh marketing materials, featuring a new logo, collaboratively produced by Washington ACTE, the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, and OSPI.  WA-ACTE Administration membership was 323.

2007-2008 President Dave Rudy, Director, Career and Technical Education, Sedro-Woolley School District.  A fantastic year for CTE in the state of Washington.  Legislative work started in Yakima in August of 2007 where legislators committed to working on a comprehensive CTE bill.  That bill met with resounding support from both the Senate and the House when the session was held in 2008.  Course equivalencies continued to move forward with the culmination being the production by OSPI of the Equivalency Credit Toolkit version 1.0.  Many, many thanks go to Mark Madison, from Edmonds School District, for taking the lead on this project.  October 2007 - Fall Conference was held in Silverdale with the theme “Hands On, Minds On.”  March 2008 - Spring Conference was held in Richland with the theme “Career + Technical Education – What Every Student Needs.”  Membership in WAVA increased by 6%.  OSPI revamped the CTE advisory into a CTE Strategic Planning team that continues to meet and provide OSPI with input from the field.  There is representation from around the state.  Full CTE director internship class.  Gerry Ringwood selected as CTE Administrator of the Year.  WAVA represented at various SBE meeting with regards to the Proposed Core 24 graduation requirements.  Attended and represented the association at the National ACTE Convention in Las Vegas and the National Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C.  Worked on establishing a better relationship with WTECB, HECB, WASA, AWSP, and WSSDA.  Tried to have fun whenever possible.  WA-ACTE Administration membership was 341.

2008-2009 President Dennis Conger, Director, Career and Technical Education, Omak School District / Spokane Skills Center.  Recession, unemployment, budget cuts, state revenue shortfalls, cash for clunkers, government bank bailouts, General Motors going into bankruptcy, a national health care debate, a guy from Omak as WAVA president, and yet it was a good year if looked at in the proper perspective.  In a time of tough economic times CTE in the state of Washington maintained its programs and actually continues to gain traction with the legislature as a successful educational pathway for students.  While other programs took large cuts, CTE stayed the course.  Our fall conference was held at the Davenport in Spokane.  Spring conference was held in Olympia and joined with the Legislative Policy Seminar.  Summer Conference was in Yakima.  This year ACTE Region V Conference was held at Semiahmoo in Blaine, Washington.  WAVA was well represented and it was a very successful conference.  Dennis Conger and Susan Dixon represented the organization at the National ACTE Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, and at the National Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C.  At the Legislative Policy Seminar the Washington State team was joined by State Superintendent Randy Dorn.  Another huge event for the organization was the transition of Kathleen Lopp from Executive Director of WA-ACTE to Assistant Superintendent of Career and College Readiness at OSPI.  Welcome to Tim Knue who was hired to replace Kathleen at WA-ACTE.

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