OLYMPIA – Former agency deputy director Gloria Papiez has been confirmed as the new Director of the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). Papiez served as acting director since November 2016 following the retirement of Scott Jarvis.
Papiez, a 30-year veteran of state government, served for 17 years as the agency’s deputy director and director of administration before accepting Governor Inslee’s appointment as director. She was recently confirmed by the Washington State Senate Financial Institutions Committee, and by the Senate with a 49-0 vote.
“It’s been a pleasure and an honor to serve this agency as deputy director for so many years,” Papiez said. “I look forward to helping DFI continue meeting our mission of regulating financial services to protect and educate the public and promote economic vitality - the work we do here is important.
“This agency has been known for many years as a leader in the regulatory community – statewide and nationally,” Papiez continued. “I look forward to serving the agency, our licensees and Washington residents as DFI’s new director.”
Papiez has been with DFI since January 2000. Gloria has more than 30 years of experience working for state government including six years as the Assistant Director for Administration with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, and 10 years with the State Auditor’s Office as Assistant Director for Audit.
“Gloria has played a pivotal role in building DFI into one of the top agencies in the nation in financial education,” Governor Jay Inslee noted in his March 20 release announcing her appointment. “Gloria’s state financial regulation experience coupled with her government service gives me great confidence in her leadership.”
Papiez is a 1980 graduate of the University of Washington with a BA in Business Administration and is a Retired CPA and member of the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants. She currently serves on the Governor’s Results Washington Goal Council for Economic Vitality.
PHOTO DETAILS: Newly-appointed Director of DFI, Gloria Papiez, was recently confirmed by the Senate Financial Institutions Committee. Left to right: DFI Director of Banks Roberta Hollinshead, Senator Angel, (R-26th District) chair of the Committee, Senators Hobbs (D-44th District) and Mullet (D-5th District), DFI Director Papiez, and Senators Kuderer (D-48th District), and Fortunato (R-31st District), DFI Legislative Liaison Catherine Mele-Hetter, DFI Director of Credit Unions Linda Jekel and DFI Director of Securities William Beatty. DFI works with this committee (not all members are present in this photo) on legislative matters that impact financial services. Video of the hearing is available at http://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2017031269 Photo courtesy of Catherine Mele-Hetter.