Helen Sommers Representative Helen Sommers has served on the Board since January, 2000 and was reappointed to a new two-year term in June, 2007. She is a member of WSIB's Public Markets Committee. Representative Sommers is the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, a member of the state’s Pension Funding Council, and serves on the Board for the Institute for Public Policy. She has chaired several different House committees throughout her legislative tenure including Capital Budget, Higher Education, Revenue, and State Government. She is also former chair of the Joint Committee on Pension Policy and the Joint Legislative Audit and Revenue Committee. Representative Sommers earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Economics from the University of Washington. Professionally, she was an Instructor in Economics for the Edmonds Community College, a former Analyst for the King County Council, and worked for the King County Office of Finance. In recognition of her community and public service, Representative Sommers received the 2002 Warren G. Magnuson Award from the Municipal League of King County; the 2002 Elected Official of the Year from the Port of Seattle Propeller Club; 2001 Legislator of the Year Award from the Home Care Association of Washington; and the 1995 Distinguished Alumna Award from the University of Washington Department of Economics.