By Aneesa Grant, The Seattle Medium
Governor Jay Inslee has named Marcus Glasper as the new director of the Department of Licensing (DOL) in Washington state. Glasper, who is currently the director of Washington’s Lottery, will assume his new role on April 1, 2023, and will replace Teresa Bernsten, who recently retired.
“Marcus has an impressive track record of leadership and success working on behalf of Washingtonians, and I am confident he will lead the Department of Licensing effectively,” said Inslee. “I look forward to continuing to work with Marcus as the DOL continues to promote a culture of respect and trust while meeting the needs of Washingtonians and businesses by providing easy and equitable access to great service.”
Glasper, who has over three decades of experience in the public sector, is a respected and proven leader with 20 years of experience in state government. In his current position, he has created a new strategic roadmap for Washington’s Lottery, established a first-of-its-kind retail space, and implemented a voluntary self-exclusion program and other responsible gambling verification policies.
Before joining Washington’s Lottery, Glasper served in leadership roles with the state’s Department of Revenue and spent a decade working for the United States Department of Energy. He began his career as an engineer with General Motors before coming to work for Washington’s Department of Corrections in 2003.
Glasper is a recipient of the Governor’s Award for Leadership in Management and is a volunteer senior mediator with the Thurston County Dispute Resolution Center. He has also served on various boards, including the Washington State Employees Credit Union and the South Puget Sound Community College Foundation.
A native of Plaquemine, LA, Glasper received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA, and a Master’s in Engineering Management from Washington State University. He has also completed senior executive programs at the Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government, USDA Graduate School, and the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Affairs.
As Glasper prepares to take on his new role, the DOL is expected to benefit from his extensive experience in state government and his proven leadership skills. His appointment is expected to have a positive impact on the agency’s ability to meet the needs of Washingtonians and businesses by providing easy and equitable access to great service.
