Earl Overstreet named to WWU Board of Trustees

Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed business executive Earl Overstreet of Greenbank to Western Washington University’s Board of Trustees.

“Earl is an advocate for education and has a strong commitment to making sure Western’s students are getting the finest education possible,” said Inslee. “He’s a proven innovator and entrepreneur who will be an excellent addition to WWU.”

Overstreet’s term on the Board of Trustees begins Oct. 1, 2014 and ends Sept. 30, 2020.

“We welcome Earl Overstreet to Western’s Board of Trustees. Earl will bring substantial expertise as an accomplished business leader to Western,” said WWU President Bruce Shepard.

Overstreet is president of General Microsystems Inc. (GMI), a Bellevue-based company he founded in 1983. GMI provides data center to desktop products, services, and tools for the entire life cycle of IT infrastructures. Partners include EMC, HP, Hitachi Data Systems, IBM, NetApp, and Oracle. Customers include The Boeing Company, Expeditors International, City of Seattle, and State of Washington.

“Quality education is one of our community’s most important assets and responsibilities. Western is nationally recognized for its achievements. It is an honor to serve as a trustee of this outstanding university. I look forward to working with the Western community to realize their vision of strengthening Washington by applying active learning and critical thinking to societal problems,” said Overstreet.

Karen Lee, chair of Western’s Board of Trustees, said that, “I look forward to working with Earl Overstreet on the Board of Trustees as we continue to support Western in providing an excellent and meaningful education to all of our students.”

Overstreet has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Case Institute of Technology and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and Tabor 100.

His career started at the General Electric Miniature Lamp Department where he held positions in manufacturing, sales, and marketing. At Wyle Laboratories Electronic Marketing Group his responsibilities included sales, sales management, and division management.

Overstreet chaired the 2010-2011 Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He was also a member of the Central Washington University College of Business Advisory Board, the State of Washington OMWBE Advisory Committee, the Bellevue College Presidential Search Advisory Committee, and the South King County STEM Advisory Committee.