Gov. Inslee appoints John M. Meyer to WWU Board of Trustees

Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed retired Superior Court Judge John M. Meyer of Mount Vernon to Western Washington University’s Board of Trustees.

“John Meyer has served the state in many ways as a distinguished judge and leader. He is a strong supporter of education and will help ensure that Western’s students are getting the finest education possible,” said Inslee.

Meyer’s six-year term on the Board of Trustees ends Sept. 30, 2021.

“We welcome John Meyer’s appointment to the Board of Trustees. He is a proven leader and will provide invaluable insights as a trustee,” said WWU President Bruce Shepard.

Meyer served as a judge in Skagit County’s Superior Court from 1997 until 2015. He also served as a District Court judge in Skagit County from 1995 to 1997. He was in private practice and partner in the Gilbert and Meyer Law Firm from 1975 to 1994. Prior to that he served as a staff attorney with the Federal Power Commission in Washington, D.C.

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

“I have a real passion for higher education and am delighted to serve as a Western trustee. Quality higher education is critical to the future of our state,” Meyer said.

Meyer is a 1968 graduate of the University of Washington, where he received a bachelor’s degree in education. He received his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1971.

During his career he has received many honors, including as 2009 Judge of the Year, Washington State Association for Justice; and as an honoree in the Skagit Valley College Hall of Fame.  Meyer has extensive community and civic involvement, including as a member of the Board of Judicial Administration and first chair of its Court Education Committee; member, Sentencing Guidelines Commission; dean, Washington State Judicial College; treasurer, Superior Court Judges' Association; chair, Skagit County Law and Justice Board; president, University of Washington Alumni Association and ex officio member, Board of Regents, University of Washington; trustee, Skagit Valley College; president, Skagit County Bar Association; chair, Skagit Homeless Youth Task Force; trustee, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association; president, Skagit Valley College Foundation; president, Mount Vernon Kiwanis; and president, Skagit Valley Family YMCA.