Feed specialist Cat Marrier remembered as caring friend and colleague

Kathy Davis
Communications

Our agency is mourning the sudden loss of Catherine – or Cat, as she was known – Marrier, who passed away after a tragic horseback riding accident on Aug. 17. 

Cat began her career with WSDA in 2008, working in the Pesticide Management division, but most recently was a feed specialist and field inspector with the Animal Feed Program in the Food Safety & Consumer Services division. 

“From first meeting, you could tell that Cat was a smart and passionate individual and these qualities seemed to easily translate over to her job at WSDA,” Randy Treadwell, Rapid Response and Emergency Management program manager, said. “Cat took me on my first animal feed inspection and I was struck by how she managed the room with authority while remaining friendly and professional. She was a teacher, mentor, and friend to many.”

Cat had a deep background in agriculture. She and her husband, Jerry, lived on a ranch in Ellensburg with cattle, two horses and a cat. Cat was the oldest of eight children, and her family had dairy operations in Western Washington and did ranching east of the Cascades. She liked to say she grew up on both sides of the state. 

Cat was an avid horseback rider who had been riding since she was a kid. Two of her granddaughters are ranked first and second in the state at the Northwest Junior Rodeo. 

Accomplished and caring

She was very involved in the feed safety community, both within the state and globally. She helped develop national curriculum systems content and wrote inspector-training standards for the International Food Protection Training Institute. She was also a feed ingredient investigator for the Association of American Feed Control Officials, and also provided technical assistance and outreach to various industry associations. 

Cat with good friend and coworker
Angela Gantuah, on left.

Her supervisor in the Animal Feed Program, Ali Kashani, remembers, “I had the honor and privilege of knowing and working with Cat since the beginning of her career here - first in Pesticide Management and then in Food Safety and Consumer Services. Cat had a comprehensive approach and attention to detail during inspection and investigation. She was very passionate about regulatory work, had deep understanding of our stakeholders’ issues and believed in providing technical assistance whenever possible.”

Cat was known as a caring and accomplished colleague by her coworkers.  

“She had a very passionate and unique soul,” said her colleague, Ashlee-Rose Ferguson. “She had a field staff of three who truly felt she represented and supported them.” 

Food safety compliance specialist Angela Gantuah considered Cat a close friend.

“My friendship with Cat is deep and powerful,” Angela said. “I met her in Spokane during a January snowstorm and we had an instant and intense connection. She had an uncanny ability to help you find the value in all that you do and especially yourself. She cared deeply about her work and loved her family and friends.”

Food safety officer Caleb James remembered that Cat went out of her way to take care of colleagues. 

“Cat was a very caring person who cared about you not just as a coworker, but as a person,” Caleb said.  “She was genuinely interested in your family, faith, hobbies, and personal well-being. When working with her in the field, she would often pack extra food in her lunch to make sure I had enough.” 

The photo for which Cat won a national photography contest award.

Cat also had a great interest and talent for photography. Her photo of a barn in Lincoln County earned her a photography contest award from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. 

Cat is survived by her husband, her mother, three adult children, and grandchildren.

In summary: WSDA is mourning the loss of a special person and valued employee. The colleagues of Cat Marrier, an animal feed inspector, remember her passion for her work and her compassion for others.

Employee survey comments offer insights to improvement

Patrick Capper
Deputy Director

After the 2016 annual state Employee Engagement Survey, some WSDA employees asked why the survey did not allow respondents to provide individual comments. As a result, the agency included two open-ended questions in the 2017 survey that allowed staff to type in their personal answers. 

The broad questions asked those taking the survey:
- What is one way you’ve noticed WSDA improve in the past year?
- What are three ways WSDA could improve your job satisfaction?

The Performance and Planning Management Office (PPMO) reviewed more than 700 separate comments submitted by 119 individual WSDA employees. 

Because the agency assured that survey responses would be confidential, the actual comments will not be published. We can share some general themes that emerged from the wide array of comments submitted. 

What has improved?

Staff comments about improvements ranged from communications to changes in leadership and administrative structure. The weekly Connect employee e-bulletin was called out as improving internal communication. 

Others mentioned leadership changes, program-level succession planning, clearer policies and procedures, centralized IT, and process improvement (e.g. Lean) work as ways employees have noticed WSDA change for the better. 

What could be better?

Since the second question asked for three things (rather than just one) that could be improved, employees offered many more comments to this question. Below are a few of the general areas into which comments fell. 

Feedback loop – Use feedback and value input. Listen to employees, and do something with the information gathered. Use customer feedback better. 

Communication and connection – More transparent, effective communication, and less separation between managers and workers. Communicate the agency’s strategy and direction, and provide opportunities for appreciation and teambuilding. 

Accountability – Uphold a high level of accountability, adhering to agency values and ethics, and enforcing rules and guidelines. Leaders should lead and walk the talk. 

Staffing and training - Hire best leaders and staff; hiring from outside the agency can be a benefit. Improve the promotion and hiring process; no secret appointments and better interview panels. Provide professional development and mentoring; more training and advancement opportunities. 

Work environment – Offer more teleworking and flex schedules, better air quality, stress relief, and upgraded technology. 

How will this input be used? 

I received the verbatim survey comments from PPMO and met with each of the assistant division directors to discuss this feedback from their staff. I’ve directed each AD to organize listening sessions with their division staff before October. And some, such as Pesticide Management Division, have already started holding those meetings.

The second phase of listening sessions for those parts of the agency that do not report to an AD will occur in the next few weeks. You will be contacted by your manager with details on scheduling your sessions.  

In addition, PPMO conducted an employee focus group session in April to hone in on areas to target a specific agency improvement project. Watch this Insider blog for a follow-up story about that focus group activity.  

The Leadership Team and I take your feedback very seriously. I encourage you to talk to your supervisor about things your team or the agency as a whole can do to help you be the most engaged and productive employee possible. 

In summary: WSDA employees who took the 2017 Employee Engagement Survey provided hundreds of comments on both ways the agency has improved and what could be done to boost job satisfaction.

Happy trails to Dr. Gilliom as he retires

Kathy Davis
Communications

Dr. Thomas Gilliom with the elephant he inspected at the Washington State Fair
in Puyallup when the fair featured a circus exhibit. 

For the past five years, Dr. Thomas Gilliom, WSDA field veterinarian, has been dedicated to responding to animal disease outbreaks and preventing them from entering Washington State. At the end of August, he will turn in his agency badge, trading it for some down time and road trips in his ’66 Nova. 

Thomas started at WSDA in May 2013. He previously spent 35 years practicing large and small animal medicine and surgery, mostly in the Columbia River Gorge area. He built two practices; one in Hood River, Oregon and the other in Stevenson, Washington. 

His interest in the role of a regulatory official drew him to the field veterinarian opportunity. He was also looking to try something different. 

“Learning regulatory medicine is 180-degrees different than practice,” Thomas said. “Dr. Eldridge (former state veterinarian) told me, ‘You’ll be drinking from a fire hose” and he was right.”

He also had to adjust to working in a cubicle when not out in the field, and “learning all that IT stuff,” he said. 

Working with his colleagues to protect animal health and prevent diseases from starting or spreading has been the most rewarding part of the job for Thomas. He has been a key player in monitoring West Nile virus and encouraging horse owners to keep their animals vaccinated. 

He was also involved in some high-profile quarantines at King County horse facilities when the equine herpes virus was discovered. 

In Texas, where Thomas was called to assist during an
outbreak of equine disease. 

He’s traveled extensively across Washington State and around the U.S. supporting the mission of animal health. For instance, he was dispatched to Texas in 2014 to assist with an outbreak of equine vesicular stomatitis. 

Thomas is looking forward to taking a break from his veterinary tools after his last day, Aug. 31. He will have more time to pursue his hobbies as a history buff, sous chef, and collector of old Zenith radios. 

And he plans to hit the road in his vintage Chevy Nova - with music cranked up - to visit family and explore the Pacific Northwest. 

Enjoy a well-deserved retirement, Thomas!

In summary: WSDA will soon say farewell to Dr. Thomas Gilliom when he retires at the end of August. Thomas has dedicated his five years with the agency to protecting animal health and responding to animal disease outbreaks. 

Five win prizes in second quarter QUICK Award drawing

Kathy Davis
Communications

Gabriel Allen

Five WSDA employees are eligible to select a prize because their name was randomly selected from the recent fourth quarter QUICK Awards drawing. Agency employees handed out 46 awards to coworkers in Western Washington. Fifteen awards were presented to employees based in Eastern Washington.

QUICK Awards are presented by employees who see their peers demonstrating good work and service to others – either inside or outside the agency. Here are the prize recipients from the most recent quarterly drawing.

Gabriel Allen, Plant Protection, Tacoma, was recognized for expert skills in certifying agricultural products for export. 

Susie Allen

Susie Allen, Plant Protection, Olympia, her ability to accommodate, even when it is not easy or convenient, assures continuing successful relationships with others. 

Lauri J. Guerra, Plant Protection, Prosser, was recognized for his expertise in fruit tree virology (scientific study of viruses) that benefits Northwest growers.

Michael Isensee, Dairy Nutrient Management, Lynden, personally contacted a person making a complaint to Pesticide Compliance. The person was upset about not getting a response to voice mails he left – however, his phone number would not accept messages from WSDA. 

Michael Inseness

Christina Zimmerman, Pesticide Registration and Licensing, Olympia, for taking time out from her daily work duties to assist with an exam situation - impressive teamwork! 

These winners may contact Robin Schaffer in Olympia or Brandy Thompson in Wenatchee to select a prize. 

September 30 next drawing deadline

When you catch one of your coworkers doing something special for staff or customers, why not let them know with a QUICK Award? You can find the award form on the intranet. Forms are also available from your division coordinator or agency receptionists.

In summary: WSDA staff presented 61 QUICK Awards during the second quarter of 2018. Five of their names were randomly drawn to receive prizes. See who they are and why they were recognized by their colleagues.

On our way – WSDA website to get make-over

Kathy Davis
Communications

It is really happening! WSDA’s public website is getting a facelift. On June 25, the successful contractor for our website redesign job held a kick-off meeting to get the process rolling. 

The agency’s project steering committee selected Status Not Quo, a technology and marketing company, to lead us through the process of developing a new, modern web presence. 

The website redesign project has a number of goals. They include:

• Webpages that are vibrant, engaging, interactive, and inviting to the public.
• Accurate, current, and comprehensive WSDA information.
• Ease for web users interacting with the agency.
• Reduced staff time handling routine inquiries.
• Simplified content update process. 
• Mobile friendly and accessible.  

One goal of the WSDA website redesign project is to make
our agency web presence mobile compatible. 

WSDA’s current website design, structure and navigation has been about the same for at least 15 years. Given the accelerated pace of technology change, most organizations – including many Washington State agencies – have upgraded their websites in the past few years. 

For instance, more people view web content on mobile devices than ever before. Getting services and paying online have become commonplace. With everyone’s busy lifestyles and reduced attention spans, web content must be clear and quick-to-find to best serve our customers and the public. 

Next steps

The Status Not Quo team has delivered a project schedule to keep us on track. After a strategy meeting to nail down project objectives, they will next facilitate a series of discovery sessions in late July. Staff recruited to represent all divisions will share their wants, needs, and vision of success for the project. 

The firm estimates the entire process should take about 10 months. If all goes as planned, the new website will launch April 2019.  

The redesign steering committee is leading the effort internally. It consists of:

• Hector Castro, communications director and executive project sponsor
• Yoshi Ouye, chief technology officer
• Curt Secker, supervisor of IT applications development team
• Tim Valdez, webmaster
• Becca Sotelo, graphic designer
• Lisa White, administrative coordinator, Food Assistance Program

Committee members will recruit staff from around the agency to assist with discovery, and provide input along the way. 

If you have questions or comments about the WSDA web redesign project, contact Hector Castro. 

In summary: WSDA’s 15-year-old public website is getting a facelift. The agency has hired a contractor to help lead the process of building a new, modern, mobile-friendly web presence.

WSDA presence on trade missions supports state’s ag economy

Kathy Davis
Communications

WSDA Director Derek Sandison with USDA
Undersecretary Ted McKinney on the Japan
trade mission.

These days, the duties of heading a state ag agency include international relations. With one-third of Washington State’s agricultural products destined for overseas markets, maintaining global trade relations is essential for the viability of our ag industry.  

That’s why both WSDA Director Derek Sandison and Deputy Director Patrick Capper traveled abroad in June. 

Derek went on a trade mission to Japan with the USDA undersecretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs and other state agriculture directors. At the same time, Patrick joined a delegation that traveled to Cuba to explore market opportunities there. 

Japan, a mature market

In 2017, Washington exported over $1 billion in food and agricultural products to Japan, making it our second biggest export market. The top export is hay, accounting for $224 in sales. Frozen potato products are close behind at $221 million. Other top exports are fish and seafood, white wheat, dairy products, and beef. 

Derek went to Japan as part of a joint trade mission, organized by the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) and USDA. 

With the ongoing developments and uncertainty around U.S. trade policy continually in the news, the 13 western state’s ag leaders aimed to strengthen trade relations with this important partner. 

One of the biggest benefits of the trip, according to Derek, was having direct conversations with USDA Undersecretary Ted McKinney. The two were already acquainted, since McKinney had been a state agriculture agency director himself. 

WSDA Deputy Director Patrick Capper, second from left, with Cuban tour guides
Hiroshi and Lester, and at right Zachery Garza, export assistance specialist with
WSDA’s International Marketing Program.

Rianne Perry is manager of WSDA’s International Marketing Program, and she also went to Japan. Before the trip, Rianne solicited input from ag industry representatives. 

In describing one result, she said “Initially, McKinney usually used pork as his prime example of ag industries impacted by the current trade disputes. I noticed that the more he and Derek talked, he began referring to tree fruit as well.” 

Cuba, a potential market

Cuba’s economy has been isolated from much of the developed world since the 1960s, something that is reflected in the numerous vintage American vehicles still on the roads there. However, more official visits from U.S. government representatives, like the one Patrick participated in, have been occurring in recent years.

Along with six other state ag department leaders, Patrick took part in meetings with the Cuban ministries of agriculture, commerce, foreign relations, and tourism. They also visited the U.S. embassy, and toured ag operations and markets.  

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) facilitated the events. NASDA policy supports normalizing relations with Cuba to advance two-way trade, including removing current barriers. 

“Cuba has not had access to the kinds of imported products other countries have had,” Patrick said. “Opportunities exist there to market apples, wheat, dairy, and other ag products.”

Food market in Cuba.

Promoting overseas exports carries economic benefits beyond our state’s farmers and producers, Patrick noted. Exporting supports railways, ports, air services, barges and ocean vessels, and other industries important to the economy of Washington and the U.S. 

“Showing up for direct talks with our overseas partners maintains these vital trade relationships,” he said. “Multi-state missions also allow us to network with our partner states so we have a unified and consistent voice in trade policy.” 

Bottom line – trade missions to foreign countries represent the hard work of sustaining export markets that support Washington State agriculture and WSDA’s mission. 

In summary: From Asia to South America to points around the globe, maintaining and growing export trade markets is vital to sustaining Washington’s ag industry. Learn how WSDA leaders are supporting international trade. 

Staffers represent on state commodity commissions

Kathy Davis
Communications

Attending meetings is a ubiquitous reality for many state employees. For the 19 WSDA employees who Director Derek Sandison has appointed to represent him on the state’s commodity commissions, meetings are a big part of the job. 

Hector Castro, WSDA communications director, serves
tater tots to the public at a Seattle beer festival as our
representative on the Potato Commission.

But sometimes the work can be more interesting – like spending Father’s Day weekend giving away free tater tots at a beer festival in Seattle. 

That’s what Hector Castro, WSDA communications director, did as the agency rep to the Potato Commission. 

“Not only did I get to know the commission staff better,” he said. “I also heard from the general public who were very curious about what they were eating. It was wonderful insight into what consumers care about.”

Wide variety

Twenty-two Washington commodity commissions promote state agriculture by educating the public about specific products and supporting their production. The commissions cover a wide array of ag products – from asparagus and wine, to grain and dairy. 

Commissions are state agencies and are supported by WSDA’s Fairs and Commodity Commissions Program, managed by Teresa Norman. They vary greatly in size, authority and governance, according to Teresa. 

These commissions are funded by assessments collected on producers of the commodities they represent. Their annual budgets range from less than $100,000 to more than $1 million. 

Derek is represented on every commission’s board by an agency designee he appoints. 

Job connection

Victor Shaul, Seed Program manager, takes the prize for being a rep on the most commissions – three, to be exact. He’s been on the Alfalfa and Turfgrass Seed commissions for about 10 years and spent about four years on the Oilseeds Commission. 

His work gives him an obvious link. “All the growers and handlers on these commissions are the seed growers and companies we work with,” he said. 

“I find it interesting that each group has its own culture in how they operate and what their goals are,” Victor added. 

Promoting pulses

Scott Steinbacher has a similar direct work-related connection as the rep on the Pulse Crops Commission. 

Erik Johansen (foreground), rep on the Commission on Pesticide
Registration, visits an alkali bee bed on a field tour in Touchet
 and Gardena (between Tri-Cities and Walla Walla), hosted
by the Alfalfa Seed Commission. Cindy Cooper, Plant Services
 Program manager, is the rep on the Seed Potato Commission
 – she was also on the tour and took this photo.

Scott is the regional Grain Inspection Program manager based in Spokane. “Our five offices inspect most of the pulse crops as they come off the field and then again after the product has been processed and prepared for distribution,” he said.

Along with attending the requisite meetings and giving agency and state updates to the commission board, Scott attends the annual conventions of the U.S. Dry Pea and Lentil Commission. 

“The annual meeting is always very interesting as it brings people together from around the world and many parts of the pulse crop life – farmers, processors, consumers, and chefs,” he said.  

Marketing assist

WSDA commission representatives serve three-year terms and can be re-appointed. Having stable representation benefits both the commissions and the agency. 

When Julie Johnson was appointed to the Beer Commission in 2016, its executive director told her they’d had a new rep nearly every year for the past six years.

“I told him I wasn’t planning to go anywhere!” said Julie, who is an export development and outreach trade specialist with the International Marketing Program. 

As the state’s beer industry looks to expand their business from domestic to foreign markets, Julie’s experience in marketing and outreach, as well as her communication skills, is an asset to those companies. 

Julie attends the commission’s meetings in Seattle every two months, giving updates on what her program is up to. She also gets invited to the festivals the commission puts on to promote Washington-made brews. Last year, she went to the annual Brewers Festival in Seattle’s Marymoor Park and said it was great to see in-person these events that are discussed at the business meetings. 

Like Julie, Hector Castro’s background and current work in marketing and communications led to his appointment to the Potato Commission. He previously worked with them on marketing activities and went on a commission-sponsored trade mission to Southeast Asia. He’s serving on their marketing committee now. 

“Plus,” he said, “I really love potatoes.” 

In summary: A WSDA staff member represents the agency on each of the 22 state commodity commissions that promote an array of ag products. What does that mean? Hear from some of those reps on the Insider.