Daniel J. Evans
Daniel J. Evans ranks as one of the most distinguished leaders in the history of Washington State. Perhaps best known as governor of the State of Washington, from 1965 to 1977, he has demonstrated a lifetime commitment to public service. He has longstanding ties to the University of Washington, and exemplary experience in the fields of governance, education and the environment.
Before entering politics, Dan Evans was a civil engineer. After graduating from the University of Washington with degrees in civil engineering (BS, 1948, MS, 1949), he worked as a structural engineer for the City of Seattle, Associated General Contractors, and in private practice. In 1956, he entered politics as a member of the Washington State House of Representatives, where he served from 1956 to 1965.
He became governor of the State of Washington in 1965, serving an unprecedented three consecutive terms. He was recognized as "One of the Ten Outstanding Governors in the 20th Century" (University of Michigan study, 1981). After declining to run again, he assumed the presidency of The Evergreen State College in Olympia in 1977. From 1981 to 1983, he also served as chairman of the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council. In 1983, after the death of Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson, Evans was appointed and then elected to the US Senate. In 1989, he chose not to run again.
Mr. Evans is active with a large number of community and nonprofit organizations. He chaired the National Academy of Science's Commission on Policy Options for Global Warming, and co-chaired a delegation to monitor the elections in Nicaragua with former President Jimmy Carter. From 1989 to 1994, Mr. Evans also served as a political analyst for KIRO radio and TV. He also taught as a lecturer part-time at the Evans School from March 1989 to March 1990. Currently he heads his own consulting firm, Daniel J. Evans Associates.
In addition, he has served on numerous corporate and civic boards, including Costco, Puget Sound Energy, and the Nature Conservancy. In 1993, he was appointed by Governor Mike Lowry to the Board of Regents for the University of Washington, where he has served as both vice president (1995-96), president (1996-97), and chair of the Capitol Assets Committee. His term on the Board of Regents ended in 2005.
Dan Evans and his wife Nancy have three grown sons, Dan Jr., Mark, and Bruce, and nine grandchildren.