OLYMPIA–Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed Seattle resident Michael Shiosaki as chair and Leavenworth resident Robert “Bob” Bugert to a seat on the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board.
The board awards about $200 million in grants every other year to tribes, nonprofits and government agencies to create parks, trails and other outdoor recreation opportunities. The board also awards grants to conserve the state’s natural resource heritage by protecting working farms and forests and wildlife habitat, including places inhabited by plants and animals found nowhere else in the world.
Shiosaki has served on the board since May 2016. He is the director of the Bellevue Parks and Community Services Department. Previously, he led the Planning and Development Division of the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department and served as the Sammamish deputy parks director. In addition to his work, he is a licensed landscape architect, a member of the Washington Recreation and Park Association and the American Society of Landscape Architects. He also is a former trustee with the Wing Luke Asian Museum in Seattle and served as a board member of the Capitol Hill Housing Foundation, Arboretum Foundation, Seattle Board of Park Commissioners, and the Pride Foundation.
When not working, Shiosaki is an avid gardener, skier, hiker and mountain climber. His term as chair runs through December 31, 2026.
“Michael brings great insight and leadership to the funding board,” Inslee said. “His extensive experience in park planning and community involvement continue to help the board make strategic decisions about where to invest the state’s limited resources so that we keep our state a great outdoor destination for all Washingtonians.”
Bugert was appointed to fill Shiosaki’s old seat. Bugert is the former District 2 Chelan County commissioner. Previously, he was the executive director of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, a policy advisor for the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office and spent eight years serving on the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board. His term runs until December 31, 2026.
In his free time, Bugert enjoys biking, hiking, kayaking, reading and spending time with his family.
“Bob’s been working to protect salmon and other Washington wildlife for decades,” Inslee said, “His lifelong commitment to protect the state’s lands for public benefit make him a great addition to the board.”