Preview of April 1, 2015

Ron Sims
Winners for Life

Ron Sims is a civic volunteer active in health, education, environmental and social equity issues. Appointed by Governor Jay Inslee, Sims serves as the chair of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange Board. The board is responsible for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Washington State.

Sims served as the Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from 2009 to 2011. He was appointed by President Obama and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. As the second most senior official at HUD, Sims managed the day-to-day operations of an agency with 8,500 employees and an operating budget of nearly $40 billion.

Prior to his appointment at HUD, Sims served for 12 years as the elected executive of King County in Washington State, the 13th largest county in the nation with 1.8 million residents and 39 cities including the cities of Seattle, Bellevue and Redmond.

As County Executive, Sims was nationally recognized for his work on the integration of environmental, social equity and public health policies that produced groundbreaking work on climate change, health care reform, affordable housing, mass transit, environmental protection, land use, and equity and social justice.

Born in Spokane, Washington in 1948, Sims is a graduate of Central Washington University.

WINNERS FOR LIFE:  Each year, Rotary Club of Seattle honors high school students who have shown exceptional character in overcoming significant obstacles to remain in school. Poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence, teen pregnancy, language and learning disabilities are just some of the challenges these amazing kids have surmounted.  These remarkable students are quietly building bright futures in difficult circumstances. They are our “WINNERS FOR LIFE.”

This Wednesday, April 1, volunteers from Seattle #4 will host our 42 WINNERS FOR LIFE at the 11 a.m. reception and at our regular Rotary luncheon. WINNERS receive a personalized plaque and our congratulations.  It's one of the year's most inspiring and uplifting events - be there!