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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Extra Credit

UW hires Eastern Washington government and community affairs director

The University of Washington has hired an Eastern Washington government and community affairs director.

Catherine Brazil, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton who has served as public affairs director for the Cowles Co. since 2001, will coordinate government, business and community relations efforts from the university’s new center in downtown Spokane. She’s expected to take an active role in building and maintaining community relationships as the University of Washington seeks to expand its medical school operations in Spokane.

“She brings a deep network of local relationships in the Spokane region that will help us further the university’s commitment to the region,” Randy Hodgins, vice president for external affairs, said in prepared remarks.

Brazil, who starts May 26 and will earn $110,000 per year, serves on the boards of various state and local organizations, including Community Colleges of Spokane Foundation, Spokane Teacher’s Credit Union, the Association of Washington Business, Enterprise Washington, the Hutton Settlement and the UW Alumni Association. She also serves as public policy co-chair at Greater Spokane Incorporated.

The Spokesman-Review is owned by the Cowles Co.

“I’m honored and excited about the opportunity to represent the University of Washington in Spokane and Eastern Washington,” Brazil said. “The UW is a statewide economic and educational driver and it will be significant to be a part of increasing its value in this region.”

She earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and art history at the UW in 1990, and completed a master’s in international management at Whitworth University in 2000.



David Wasson oversees coverage of politics and state and local government and assists with editing on the City Desk.

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