Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Names United Way Executive to Lead Pacific Northwest Grant Making

SEATTLE -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced today that Jaime Garcia, vice president of community services for United Way of King County, has been named senior program officer for the foundation's Pacific Northwest grant program.

"It is with great pleasure that we welcome Jaime to the Pacific Northwest program's leadership team," said Bill Gates, Sr., co-chair and CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "Jaime's experience and involvement in community grant-making makes him an excellent candidate for furthering the foundation's efforts toward addressing the needs of children and families throughout the Pacific Northwest region."

Garcia's duties will include directing Pacific Northwest grant administration and assisting grant making decisions and strategy. In addition, Garcia will oversee the Sound Families program, an initiative aimed at developing new transitional housing facilities and support services for homeless families or families in danger of becoming homeless in the Puget Sound area.

During his nearly 12 years at the United Way, Garcia managed need assessment and fund distribution of more than $30 million per year to approximately 160 agencies. Garcia's other professional experience includes administrator at the Columbia Health Center for King County and block grant section chief in the City of Seattle's Department of Planning and Community Development.

Garcia holds degrees from the University of New Mexico and the University of Washington. This year he will receive a certificate from the nonprofit executive management program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Garcia will begin work at the foundation on July 5.