OLYMPIA – Following yesterday's passing of Jim McIntire, Washington’s 22nd Treasurer, State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti released the following statement:
Jim McIntire was emphatically a force for stability, progress, and good governance during one of the most economically turbulent times in our state and country’s history.
In January of 2009, mere hours after he and his Assistant Treasurer were sworn in to serve the people of Washington, he was briefed on the worsening condition of the banking system. On only his third day in office the failure of a small bank would instigate a state level banking crisis, requiring implementation of a never before used law created in the late sixties to protect taxpayer dollars held by banks.
Thanks to his leadership and partnership with his former colleagues in the Legislature, Treasurer McIntire was able to secure, without any loss, all public dollars as over two dozen banks failed in the first six months of the Great Recession.
Even as he kept his focus squarely on the crisis at hand, Treasurer McIntire never lost sight of the long term and worked to secure state and local finances beyond the horizon. Serving as Chair of the State Investment Board he worked diligently to safeguard investments on behalf of retirees. As President of the National Association of State Treasurers he led initiatives to expand financial literacy and adopted a nationwide code of ethics for State Treasurers.
All of this while remaining Washington’s fiercest advocate for tax reform, accountability, and fairness.
Jim was a public servant in every measure of the word and an example for all those aspiring to lead when the times we live in demand integrity, determination, and humility. He will be sorely missed.