Global Campus Advisory Council

Jim Blount is the Deputy Director, Human Resources (HR) at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), serving as a senior executive with deep Human Resources domain experience and strong leadership in providing strategic direction and oversight for the HR team and its functional areas. He is helping lead the long-term strategic planning and operational HR initiatives that enable PNNL to attract, recruit, develop, and retain the exceptional talent necessary to achieve its vision, mission, and goals.

He is an accomplished HR professional with breadth and depth across the HR function that includes roles within the high tech and R&D industries. A strong general manager and leader with significant business partner experience accompanied by strategic roles providing a wealth of perspective, business acumen and thought leadership. He has benefited from experience with two prominent Fortune 100 companies and government contracting management and operations.

D. Marie Bruin is the Workforce Education Director for the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Prior to her current position she worked as the WIOA Implementation Manager in the Workforce Initiatives Division at the Employment Security Department. She is returning to the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, where she previously provided leadership and coordination for Workforce in the community and technical college system. She has more than 20 years of comprehensive experience implementing and leading strategic Workforce initiatives, organizational change, agency collaboration, and has played a key role in improving access to workforce resources including innovative programs, career pathways, registered apprenticeship, programs for youth, and resources reducing systemic barriers.

A native of Tacoma, WA, she earned a Bachelor of Science in History and Political Science from Central Washington University. She has held numerous leadership positions in the private sector and in state government, currently serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Ethics for the City of Tacoma. She is a graduate of Advancing Leadership, leadership training for work, service and life and the Washington Community College Trustee’s Association Executive Leadership Academy (WELA). Raised in Tacoma, Washington, she has two adult children and two amazing granddaughters. She’s an avid fan of local sports, and has served in a variety of community volunteer roles.

James Grady currently works as an Associate in the Debt Capital Markets department for Drexel Hamilton, a veteran owned and operated investment bank and broker/dealer. Prior to his current position, James spent 21 years on active duty in the U.S. Army. James has accumulated vast amounts of experience serving both in the enlisted and the officer ranks and spending 17 years serving in Special Operations assignments. During his career in the Army, James conducted eight combat deployments: four to Afghanistan and four to Iraq. Most notably, he participated in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 conducting a low-level nighttime parachute assault into western Iraq with 3^rd Ranger Battalion, 75^th Ranger Regiment. James has extensive leadership and operations experience, from creating successful outcomes in high leverage complex situations to developing multi-continent strategic logistic plans.

Having accomplished a successful military career, James has also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Military and Global Issues from Columbus State University and a Master of Business Administration – Asset Management from the University of the Incarnate Word. Originally hailing from Houston, TX, he currently resides in Columbus, GA with his wife, Robin, and his daughter, Penelope. His son is currently attending Indiana University – Bloomington. During his time away from work, James enjoys traveling with his family, playing copious amounts of golf, and the endless quest for knowledge.

Jeff Johnson is Senior Business Manager in the Worldwide Public Sector Education group at Microsoft. In his role, he is responsible for outreach with K-12 and higher education, policymakers, government workforce agencies, educators, and business partners around the world surrounding adoption and engagement with learning and skills solutions in Education.

Prior to joining Microsoft in 2007, he served in teaching and administration roles at Bellevue (WA) College and at the University of Maryland. He also served as executive director of the National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies, a National Science Foundation-supported Advanced Technology Education Center. In addition, he served in Washington, DC, as legislative assistant, speech writer and adviser to a Member of the U.S. Congress.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland.

Michael Meotti was appointed Executive Director of the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) by Governor Jay Inslee in 2016. He previously served as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Higher Education and Executive Vice President of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.

He has extensive experience in higher education policy, technology, finance, and innovation. At WSAC, he had led the development of Washington’s Strategic Action Plan to increase educational attainment, the expansion of state financial aid programs and the launch of a variety of initiatives to increase enrollment of high school seniors and adults.

He holds bachelors and law degrees from Georgetown University.

Brian is a restaurateur in the McDonald’s franchised system located in Othello, WA.  He received his MBA from WSU’s Global Campus and is active in several voluntary roles across the state.  These organizations include the Washington Hospitality Association, the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Washington State Leadership Board, and the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs. 

Outside of work, Brian lives in the Tri-Cities with his wife, Andrea, their son, and several animals.  Andrea also works in the hospitality industry and serves as the executive director of Mikey’s Chance Canine Rescue.

Gus Williams is the Climate & Workforce Development Advisor at the City of Seattle, Office of Sustainability and Environment. In his role he supports the build out of a critical Green New Deal priority focused on developing policy and investment strategies that take an equity centered approach to minimize impacts of climate policies on workers while creating pathways towards a more racially and gender inclusive workforce that is equipped to transition Seattle to a thriving, resilient, low emissions City.

Previously, he served as the Workforce Development Manager at CleanTech Alliance, overseeing a diverse portfolio of state-wide, industry and educational initiatives to support climate solutions. 

Committed to social justice and climate advocacy, he dedicates his time and energy to creating a better world for all. Through his work, personal pursuits, and active involvement in the community, he strives to make a lasting positive impact.

Outside of his professional commitments, he treasures spending quality time with his family. He finds joy in cheering on his two children as they compete in sporting events, witnessing their growth and achievements firsthand. Additionally, he maintains an active lifestyle and nurtures his passion for fitness through his love for Peloton.