Long-term PIO, Mike Louisell, retires

Kathy Davis
Communications

Mike Louisell

In his 18 years at WSDA, Mike Louisell has made a lot of friends and been at the center of some of the agency’s most noteworthy issues and events. As of March 30, this agency’s long-term public information officer (PIO) will say farewell and move on to new adventures.

“I’ll really miss so many employees I’ve worked with here,” Mike said. “I couldn’t even name all the people who’ve helped me. Well, I could, but there wouldn’t be enough space to print them all.”

Mike joined WSDA in January 1999. He had previously worked more than 16 years for the Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS) nuclear program at Satsop and Richland. It was his experience at Columbia Generating Station drills at Hanford that helped him land the job at WSDA. He was the designated PIO representing the department in mandatory drills for many years. 

His first post-college job was as a reporter for the Seattle business newspaper, Daily Journal of Commerce, where one of his assignments was to cover the construction of the Kingdome. 

From big city to agriculture

Raised in urban Seattle, agriculture was not a familiar topic.

“My stepfather grew up on an Iowa farm and asked when I got this job, ‘What the heck do you know about agriculture?’,” Mike said. “My answer then was that I didn’t know anything, but I knew the press and how to get a story into media outlets.”

Mike goes to the fair. 

And that’s just what he’s been doing for several decades. Among the many milestone incidents he’s worked on here is “the cow that stole Christmas” – the outbreak of BSE in December 2003. That stunning news had reporters calling from around the globe and around the clock for weeks. 

Mike was also involved with the 1999 aerial spraying of the Ballard and Magnolia areas for gypsy moth, which brought out protesters, as well as the World Trade Organization meeting dubbed the “Battle of Seattle.”

One of his first WSDA assignments was to promote the opening of our Yakima Building, dedicated in February 1999. “For the first time, our staff could all work in one location, instead of being scattered around the city,” he noted. 

Mike and Kim Eads, Food Assistance
Program manager. 

Over the years, Mike has worked with five agency directors. He’s been in the same spot in the Natural Resources Building throughout his tenure. Although he points out there was no door leading from the rotunda to the Director’s Office when he started.

“Mike is one of the kindest, most energetic people I’ve ever worked with,” said Communications Director Hector Castro. 

“During his nearly two decades with this agency, he has been an untiring cheerleader for WSDA and our state’s agriculture community, as well as a true believer in the importance of telling the ag story. I know all of us on the communications team will miss Mike’s heart and enthusiasm.” 

Pursuing his interests

Few may know that he once managed the visitor center at the Satsop Power Plant. And as a University of Washington student, he ushered at the Seattle Center, leading audience members to see acts such as Janis Joplin and The Monkees. 

He plans to parlay those interests into a post-retirement gig as a volunteer tour guide at the State Capitol (Legislative) Building. He also looks forward to traveling abroad, and visiting more U.S. presidential libraries. 

“After working 43 years total, it’s time to relax and not have to fill out any more vacation slips,” he said. 

Thanks for everything, Mike – enjoy your next chapter!

In summary: WSDA public information officer, Mike Louisell, gets ready to retire after nearly two decades of being involved in many of the agency’s most significant issues.