The 91探花 announced staffing changes in the Office of State Relations on Monday, naming Joe Dacca director of state relations.
Dacca succeeds Bernard Dean, who joined the 91探花on Sept. 1 after serving as deputy chief clerk for almost nine years at the Washington House of Representatives. Dean was recently offered and accepted the position of chief clerk of the state House of Representatives and will be leaving the 91探花effective Dec. 31. Dacca鈥檚 appointment begins Jan. 4.
鈥淲hile I am sorry to see Bernard leave the University after just a brief period of time, the job of chief clerk is both a prestigious and critical position in the state Capitol and he felt that he could not turn this opportunity down,鈥� said Randy Hodgins, the UW鈥檚 vice president for external affairs. 鈥淛oe brings an impressive set of credentials and experience, and we are excited for him to join the 91探花and represent the university in Olympia.鈥�
Dacca currently serves as district director for U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, and has served in various positions in Kilmer鈥檚 federal office since January 2013, and before that worked for U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks from 2008 until the end of 2012. Dacca worked in then-state Sen. Kilmer鈥檚 office in Olympia in 2007 and 2008. Dacca holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science from the UW.