DSHS announces new Economic Services Administration Assistant Secretary
Contact: Norah West, 360–489–5587
OLYMPIA — Secretary Jilma Meneses announced today she has appointed Tony Bowie to be Assistant Secretary for the Department of Social and Health Services’ Economic Services Administration, effective May 1. Bowie has served since August 2021 as interim Chief Executive Officer at Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, Washington and was previously Chief Executive Officer at the agency’s Child Study and Treatment Center in Steilacoom, Washington.
“Tony is a strong, established leader who is skilled at building collaborative teams and work cultures,” said Meneses. “His visionary, strategic leadership will be instrumental as we continue to build vital partnerships throughout Washington state, working to reduce poverty and increase access to services in a way that eliminates disparities.”
Bowie says he looks forward to ESA’s essential work to reduce poverty and its related stigmas.
“Together with our community partners, we will continue building bridges and helping people get to a different place in their lives,” Bowie said. “The services ESA provides are ones I received when I was growing up. I’m looking forward to giving back in this new way.”
A 15-year DSHS employee, Bowie began his DSHS career as a security officer at Echo Glen Children’s Center and promoted to several leadership positions within the former Juvenile Justice and Rehabilitation Administration. He later worked at the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island as Director of Transition and Accountability and Deputy Chief Executive Officer.
“I’m excited for this opportunity to learn something new, to meet new people in Economic Services Administration and develop new partnerships,” Bowie said. “As I work alongside this great team, I expect I will also learn a lot about myself and how I lead in a new environment.”
Bowie comes to this position as a next step in a career marked by hard work, learning and growing along the way. A person-centered leader, he is eager to bring the best out in the people with whom he works. With two children and a wife of 23 years, he places a priority on work-life balance. He served for two years on the board of directors for Goodwill of the Greater Puget Sound Area and was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to the state’s Children, Youth and Family Behavioral Health Work Group to represent DSHS’ Behavioral Health Administration.
“Tony’s done an exemplary job in behavioral health, helping facilities get through challenging times,” said BHA Assistant Secretary Kevin Bovenkamp. “His ability to listen and engage with people has been especially important and will serve him well in his new role.”
A lifelong learner, Bowie is pursuing a master’s in business administration currently. He has a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Central Washington University and has coached youth sports in Pierce County.
Nicole Ross served as Acting Assistant Secretary of ESA since former Assistant Secretary David Stillman’s retirement in December. Ross will continue in the acting role until April 30, when she will resume her Deputy Assistant Secretary position. Ross helped usher ESA through many changes in the last several months, including the statewide expansion of full on-demand in-person services at Community Services Offices.
DSHS’ Economic Services Administration administers food, cash and medical benefits as well as child support and Social Security disability determination services in Washington state. With a team of more than 3,700 employees who reach nearly 2 million Washingtonians each year, the administration centers economic services around people, where they live and how they want to engage with critical services. For more information, go to dshs.wa.gov/esa.