OLYMPIA– The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) is pleased to announce Charlie Clark was confirmed by the Washington State Senate as agency director with a 46 (yay)-3 (excused)-0 (nay) vote on Thursday, Feb. 13. Clark was unanimously recommended for confirmation by the Senate Financial Institutions, Economic Development & Trade Committee Thursday, Jan. 16.
“I’m honored to serve as DFI’s Director,” Clark said. “After six years working with the agency while with the Attorney General’s Office and another eight years working within the agency, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know staff, and the opportunity to gain a strong understanding of the industries we license and regulate. The 10 months since my appointment have helped me develop a clear vision for the future of the agency and how best to lead it moving forward.”
Clark was appointed Director of the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions by Governor Jay Inslee on April 1, 2019. He first joined DFI in 2012 and served in the roles of Division of Consumer Services Enforcement Program Manager and Division Director before serving as agency Deputy Director beginning in November 2016. Prior to joining the DFI, Charlie represented the DFI as its lead litigation counsel as an Assistant Attorney General from 2005 through 2011. Prior to joining the Attorney General’s Office, he worked as an attorney in private practice.
“Throughout his 14 years of experience, Mr. Clark has developed relationships with industry stakeholders and is knowledgeable on the depository and non-depository licensing regulated by the DFI,” Senator Lynda Wilson (R-17th District), Ranking Member of the Financial Institutions, Economic Development & Trade Committee said in support of Clark’s confirmation. “I have had the opportunity to interact with Mr. Clark and I have heard from others he is a great guy and easy to work with.”
“…. the culture there [DFI] is very strong, in the sense that not only do they regulate the industry but they work collaboratively with the financial services industry to make sure they are successful in the State of Washington,” Senator Mark Mullet (D-5th District), Chair of the Financial Institutions, Economic Development & Trade Committee said in support of Clark’s confirmation, adding that he felt confident Clark will continue to maintain the agency’s success in helping industries remain successful.
Clark currently serves on the Board of Directors and as President of the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators, and is Chair of the Non-depository Supervisory Committee of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. He received his undergraduate degree in Accounting and an M.B.A. from California State University, Sacramento. He received a J.D. degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.
PHOTO DETAILS: Newly-appointed Director of DFI, Charlie Clark, was recently recommended for confirmation by the Senate Financial Institutions Committee. Left to right: Senator Bob Hasegawa (D-11th District), DFI Division of Securities Chief of Registration and Regulatory Affairs Faith Anderson, Senator Lynda Wilson (R-17th District), DFI Deputy Director Catherine Mele-Hetter, Senator Mona Das (D-47th District), Senator Mark Mullet (D-5th District), DFI Director Charlie Clark, Senator Steve Hobbs (D-44th District), DFI Director of Policy and Legislation Drew Bouton, DFI Division of Securities Director William Beatty and Senator John Braun (R-20th District). Photo courtesy of Catherine Mele-Hetter.
