New member appointed to State Parks and Recreation Commission

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission welcomes Lourdes E. Alvarado-Ramos (Alfie), its newest member, to the Commission.  

The Commission is made up of seven citizen members appointed by the governor. Commissioners are responsible for guiding the policies that steer the agency. Other duties include approving the agency’s strategic plan, setting Parks budget priorities and approving changes to Parks-related Washington Administrative Code.   

Alvarado-Ramos is an alumnus of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Program, the University of Washington’s Executive Management Program and holds a bachelor's degree in health care administration.  

Alvarado-Ramos served 22 years on active duty for the United States military and retired in 1993 as the Command Sergeant Major of Madigan Army Medical Center and Troop Command at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. She then decided to settle in Washington because of its natural beauty and the immense opportunities for outdoor recreation.  

She began her second career with the Washington Department of Veteran Affairs. She served for an additional 33 years and became director of the cabinet agency in 2013. During her time there, she contributed to several programs that focused on the restoration of Washington’s waters and lands through the Veterans Conservation Corps and farm programs. She also served as chair of the Washington Military Transition Council, where she led statewide efforts to ease the transition of veterans and their families into communities across Washington. 

"I am delighted to join the Parks Commission,” Alvarado-Ramos said. “I believe that our parks offer opportunities that are key to the health, happiness and prosperity of our communities. I look forward to promoting the Parks message and motivate infrequent users to not only enjoy our outdoor spaces but also volunteer to make them better and more accessible.”   

Alvarado-Ramos continues to be a dedicated advocate for her fellow veterans and is the former president of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs and the National Association of State Veterans Homes. For her service to the country, state and her community, she has been awarded the Governor’s Distinguished Management Leadership Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award for women in the military from the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), the Veterans Affairs Secretary’s Leadership Award; and recognition for her military service, including the Legion of Merit, the Order of Military Medical Merit and the  Expert Field Medical Badge. 

"I, and the rest of the Commission, are thrilled that such an amazing leader with her wealth of experience is willing to continue to serve Washingtonians as a member of the State Parks and Recreation Commission,” Commission Chair Sophia Danenberg said. 

Alvarado-Ramos and her wife San Juanita live in Olympia, where they enjoy boating, backpacking, hiking and traveling to enjoy state and national parks in their RV. 

Alvarado-Ramos’ term runs through Dec. 31, 2030. She takes the seat vacated by Commissioner Ken Bounds.  

Bounds sat on the Commission for two terms, providing almost 12 years of service.