OLYMPIA – Jan. 11, 2023 – This month, Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Ali Raad of Thurston County as the newest member of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
Raad is a first-generation immigrant from Lebanon and has lived in Thurston County since 1982. He is a civil engineer and attended both Portland State University and Saint Martin’s University. He earned his degree from Saint Martin’s University. Raad brings a wealth of experience from his time in service to the public sector. He began his career with the Washington State Military Department. He went on to work for the Washington Department of Transportation and the Washington Department of Ecology. Raad retired from state work in 2002 and now serves as the owner and president of Raad Properties, a commercial and residential real estate company with properties in Washington and beyond.
“Ali is a welcomed addition to the commission and I’m confident that his years of service to our state will be of great benefit to Parks,” said Commission Chair Mark Brown. “We’re all excited to get to work and continue supporting our state’s recreation lands so future generations, like Ali’s children and grandchildren, can enjoy them for years to come.”
Raad is also an active member of his community. He has volunteered his time to several nonprofit boards, including the cultural diversity board at South Puget Sound Community College and Olympia Kiwanis club. He also served several years as an officer at the Washington Public Employees Association.
“Our parks reflect some of the richest natural and cultural resources in the state,” said Raad. “I’m honored to serve on the Commission and am eager to build relationships with public and private entities to advance the agency’s mission.”
Raad and his wife Sandra are parents to three children who graduated from the Olympia School District. They are the proud grandparents of five grandchildren.
In his spare time, Raad enjoys taking nature walks and traveling with his wife.
Raad’s term runs through Dec. 31, 2028. He takes the seat vacated by Commissioner Steve Milner, whose term ended in Dec. 31, 2022