Anderson Award History

2022 - Peggy Watt

Peggy Watt, a 13-year member of the board of the Washington Coalition for Open Government, received the 2022 James Andersen Award for her outstanding service to the organization.

Watt is a journalism professor at Western Washington University, her undergraduate alma mater; before that, she was a journalist and covered Silicon Valley for business and technology publications for 20 years.

In addition to editing the Coalition’s newsletter and helping organize several events, including the recent Open Government Town Hall and the Transparency Through Technology conference, she was instrumental in the 2022 launch of WashCOG’s new website, and continues to manage the site.

“Peggy has engaged students and introduced young people to the Coalition and been instrumental in getting them involved,” said Juli Bunting, WashCOG executive director.

Watt represents Western on the Bench-Bar-Press Committee and is active in the Law & Policy Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. She is a longtime member of the Society of Professional Journalists and serves on its national Journalism Education Committee.

2021 - Ed Clark

Ed Clark, a 10-year member of the board of the Washington Coalition for Open Government, was honored with the 2021 James Andersen Award for his outstanding service to the organization.

“Ed is the person behind the scenes who keeps everything moving,” said Mike Fancher, president of the WashCOG board. “He solves problems before they become problems. He has been a vocal and tireless supporter of WashCOG’s mission.”

Clark is executive professional of Clark, Raymond & Co., the firm he cofounded in 1991, and which is also recognized with this award for the many ways in which it supports the coalition’s mission, Fancher noted. “We couldn’t operate without them.”

Clark has helped organize WashCOG events, serving on panels and programs to educate the public about Washington’s access laws. He has been a leader in fundraising efforts for the Coalition, and has promoted a vision for how the Coalition can grow into an even stronger proponent of open, accountable government.

“I am personally grateful for all he has done to help me assume the role of WashCOG president,” Fancher added. “Every time I ask if something is possible, he answers, ‘We can do that.’”

2020 - Kate Riley

Kate Riley was recognized for her relentless pursuit of government accountability, and for educating the public on the editorial pages of The Seattle Times, where she is editorial page editor.

Riley says the cause of open government has never been more important. “In times of controversy, even the best-intentioned elected official might be tempted to skirt open-government laws. As traditional news organizations struggle, fewer journalists from fewer newspapers are asking questions of elected officials. That’s why it is even more important that all community members are able to access information that rightly belongs to them. WCOG is a great ally of the people in this regard. I am humbled to receive this award and will continue to do my part to shed a light on government.”

2019 - Elly Walker

Elly Walker, who for many years owned Seattle Operating Support LLC, is recognized for her care of the Coalition above and beyond its role as her client by receiving the James Andersen Award, given for advancing the efforts of WashCOG.

WashCOG President Toby Nixon saluted Walker’s many years of contributions to the Coalition. She and her husband and business partner, Jim Walker, frequently would forgo compensation to enable the coalition to do its work.

“We’re grateful for Elly’s many years of dedicated service to the Coalition as our executive director,” Nixon said. “Elly and Jim and all the staff at Seattle Operating Support provided consistent excellent service that went far beyond expectations.”

2018 - Mike Fancher

Recipient of the James Andersen Award for service in furthering the work of the coalition is Mike Fancher, former executive editor of The Seattle Times. A board member of WashCOG since 2006, he retired from The Times in 2008 after 40 years in journalism, and served recently as interim chair of the George S. Turnbull/Agora Journalism Center in Portland, part of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication.

He is currently WashCOG historian, and has also served as secretary, vice president and on numerous committees. The Andersen Award recognizes the former chief justice of the state supreme court and a founder of WCOG. As WashCOG President Toby Nixon put it, “It’s our volunteer of the year award,” recognizing extraordinary effort to advance the work of the Coalition.

“For the past 12 years, he has been a calm presence and a source of wise council based on his experience and his deep commitment to his community and to civic life,” said 2016 Andersen award winner Michele Earl-Hubbard, WNPA media attorney who presented the award to Fancher. “He has kept us on the right track and kept us moving forward, reminding us of the importance of this organization.”

2017 - Bill Crittenden

Seattle Attorney and longtime WashCOG board member William Crittenden was presented the James Andersen Award for his service in furthering the work of the coalition.

Crittenden represents parties in litigation and appeals involving freedom of speech and access to public records. He has represented WashCOG and the League of Women Voters as amicus curiae in cases involving public records and voting rights.

He has been a tireless worker and enthusiastic supporter of WashCOG and we are pleased to present him with this well-deserved honor.

2016 - Michele Earl-Hubbard

Seattle attorney Michele Earl-Hubbard is one of WashCOG’s founding board members and has been involved with the Coalition since its inception. She consistently gives of her time, energy and money to help the organization continue its work in serving the public in matters of transparency.

Earl-Hubard studied journalism as an undergraduate but then entered law school to help defend journalists, the First Amendment and government access — and has done so in many important cases. She is also on retainer as the media attorney for the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association.

2015 - George Erb

George Erb, an adjunct instructor of journalism at Western Washington University and a contributing writer to such publications as the National Law Journal and The Seattle Times will be honored with the organization’s James Andersen Award for extraordinary efforts to advance the efforts of the Washington Coalition for Open Government.

Erb, a longtime member of WashCOG’s Board of Directors, is also a member of the state Bench-Bar-Press Committee. He was editor of the Puget Sound Business Journal for nearly eight years, when the Business Journal won numerous national awards and was a 2010 finalist for a Pulitzer Prize. For 30 years he worked as an editor and a reporter at daily and weekly newspapers in Washington state.

“As one of the founders of Washington Coalition for Open Government, George has given thousands of hours of service to the cause of government transparency and accountability,” said WashCOG President Toby Nixon. “His work as liaison to the Society of Professional Journalists, and most recently his taking the lead to manage WashCOG’s social media presence, have raised our profile among the news community and driven awareness of our mission to a new level. We’re grateful for his continuing service.”

2014 - Katherine George

Katherine George was recognized for her extensive work for WashCOG and for its goals, notably as the chair of WashCOG’s Legal Committee and as a longtime board member.

She is a public interest attorney with particular interest in public records access as well as school services. As a partner at Johnston George LLP in Seattle, she has represented individuals and media seeking public records from government agencies, and parents seeking public school services for children with disabilities.

Initially a reporter and editor at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, she entered law as a second career that started as a clerk to then-Chief Justice Gerry Alexander of the Washington State Supreme Court.

2013 - Dave Seago

Dave Seago led the launch of the Scott John Essay Contest by creating and implementing the judging process. Dave coordinated all aspects of the effort, including contest rules, promotion within the education community, submissions, selection of judges, judging process, selection of the winners, notification to the winners and publication of the essays.

Dave also has written numerous news releases and several op-eds to support the WashCOG forums. At the Aberdeen workshop, Dave led the discussion of the Open Public Meetings Act and acted as emcee. At the June workshop in Anacortes, Dave shared the leadership with Mike Kahrs.

All-in-all, Dave demonstrated how a single board member can make an extraordinary difference in advancing the Coalition.

2012 - Ed Clark

Ed Clark is the executive professional of Clark, Raymond & Company, a firm he co-founded in 1991. He joined the WashCOG board in 2011 and recognized immediately that the coalition lacked sufficient funding to fulfill its mission of promoting government openness.His leadership is invigorating WashCOG’s efforts to achieve financial stability and to increase its impact on behalf of the public. Clark has made significant personal financial contributions by sponsoring the 2012 Sunshine Week Open Government Conference and a public forum in Redmond. He also has given of his time by serving on panels for forums in Colville and Redmond and at the 2011 Open Government Conference on Mercer Island, and moderating a program at the 2012 conference.

In his role as co-chair of the Revenue Committee, Clark oversees the search for grant funding. He also engineered WashCOG’s participation in the Seattle Foundation’s 2012 GiveBig Campaign.

Clark previously received a Key Award from the Coalition in recognition of his success in unlocking government secrets related to the improper regulation of the accounting profession in the State of Washington.

WashCOG President Toby Nixon commented, “Ed Clark exemplifies what it means to be an activist committed to a cause. He is ‘all in’. It’s been said that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, and Ed demonstrates the truth of that in his work for transparent and accountable government.”

2011- Patience Rogge

Patience Rogge holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Government and a Master of Library Science from the University of California, Berkeley. She has worked in academic, school and public libraries in Delaware, California, and Saudi Arabia. She has served on the Jefferson County Rural Library District Board of Trustees, the boards of the Washington Library Association, the Pacific Northwest Library Association, and Friends of the Washington State Library. She has chaired the Washington Friends, Foundations and Trustees Association and the Grassroots! interest group of the Washington Library Association. In 2001, she received the Trustee Award from the Washington Library Association, in 2005, she received the Association’s Honorary Lifetime Award and was named to the American Library Association’s National Advocacy Honor Roll. In addition to her library-related activities, she has been active in environmental, political and educational efforts in California and Washington. She currently directs the Fort Worden Oral History Program at Fort Worden State Park Conference Center in Port Townsend and is vice president of the Friends of Fort Worden.

2010 - Duane Swinton

Duane M. Swinton is a partner at Witherspoon, Kelley, Davenport & Toole, P.S. law firm in Spokane, where he has practiced for 29 years. Duane specializes in Media law and has argued a dozen media cases before both the Washington and Idaho Supreme Courts on such issues as access to public records and court documents, defamation and prior restraint. He is an adjunct instructor at Gonzaga Law School in media law. A 1977 graduate of the University of Iowa law school, Duane also has a B.A. degree from Iowa in journalism and has several years experience as a newspaper reporter.

2009 - Brian Sonntag

Since his first election as State Auditor in 1992, Brian Sonntag has been a passionate, leading advocate for citizens of the State of Washington. Now in his fifth term as Auditor, Brian remains committed to ensuring state and local governments are accountable, accessible, and responsive to citizens.Brian has a distinguished career in public service. He was elected Pierce County Clerk when he was 26 years old and served eight years in that office. Brian was also elected twice to the office of Pierce County Auditor (an office his father also held for 22 years), before being elected State Auditor.Brian serves as a board member of the Washington Coalition for Open Government. His advocacy for open government earned him the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association’s Freedom’s Light Award in 1999. And his efforts to improve local government operations earned him the Warren G. Magnuson Award from the Seattle Municipal League in 1999.Brian is also a member of the State Productivity Board and co-chairs Public Service Recognition Week, an annual event showcasing the achievements of state employees.

Professionally, Brian holds designation as a Certified Government Financial Manager from the National Association of Government Accountants. He also serves as a trustee on the Association of Government Accountants’ Academy of Government Accountability.

2008 - Kris Passey

Kris Passey is a founding member of the WashCOG organization and a strong voice for government openness and accountability for decades in Washington state. A Marysville resident, Kris retired last year from publishing the Marysville Globe and Arlington Times. During his career as a journalist and publisher, Kris was an outstanding advocate for open government and the coalition. He advanced the work of WashCOG by providing the printing of the coalition’s brochures and producing a series of eye-catching posters, as well as providing public service announcements and producing a video explaining the mission of WashCOG. Kris Passey’s efforts in outreach have also extended beyond the borders of the United States. In October 2005, Kris traveled to Santiago, Chile to participate in Pro Acceso under a U.S. Department of State U.S. Speaker and Specialist grant. There he met with journalists from Chile, Peru, Mexico and Britain and discussed access to public information and the work of WashCOG.

2007 - Frank W. Garred

Frank W. Garred is a retired newspaper publisher, owning and operating community newspapers on the Olympic Peninsula since 1967. He has served as president of the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce, Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, the National Newspaper Association (NNA), National Newspaper Association Foundation, and the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors. He served seven years as NNA’s representative to the national Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. A 1958 graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in Journalism, he served in the army (infantry) with duty in Korea prior to joining the news staff of the Aberdeen Daily World in 1960. He was a newspaper reporter and editor from 1960 until 1967 when he purchased the newspaper at Port Townsend, The Leader. He served as executive director of the Washington Coalition for Open Government from its creation in 2002 until June 2004, and as Vice President in 2006. He has taught Journalism courses at Western Washington University and Peninsula College (Port Angeles).