SIRTI puts chief on leave

The executive director of the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute (SIRTI) has been placed on paid leave while the organization determines if he acted inappropriately.

Patrick Tam, who was hired by SIRTI as executive director in 2002, will continue to draw his $140,000 salary while the investigation proceeds, said Nancy Isserlis, the organization’s board chairwoman.

SIRTI is a state-funded agency that works with developing companies. It offers business consulting services and office and laboratory space.

Before joining SIRTI, the 56-year-old Tam had started a Puget Sound-area biotechnology company and had headed the nonprofit Washington Research Foundation in Seattle.

Isserlis said the Washington Attorney General’s office has hired an attorney to conduct an investigation that will likely run three to four weeks. “He comes very highly recommended and is not from Spokane,” she said of the investigator. She said the board can’t offer more information since the contract with the investigator has yet to be signed.

SIRTI said in a press release Wednesday that the investigation will involve “allegations of inappropriate behavior by Director Tam.”

Isserlis declined to elaborate on the allegations, saying, “This is an employment matter and I cannot say anything more.”

The allegations surrounding Tam came to the board’s attention from current SIRTI employees during the past two weeks, the press release said. During that time, Tam had been on vacation, Isserlis said.

Efforts to reach Tam on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

During Tam’s tenure, more than a half-dozen employees have left the organization. Some were let go; within three months of arriving, Tam had fired four longtime SIRTI employees in an effort to sharpen the organization’s focus.

In the past 18 months, about six other employees were let go or have left on their own. SIRTI typically has a staff of about 15, not including Tam.

Isserlis said, in reply to questions, that she has not learned of any claims or lawsuits filed against the state or SIRTI by past or current employees.

During the next month, Tam will remain in Spokane and be available to talk or meet with the board, Isserlis said.