OLYMPIA -- Veteran Eastern Washington journalist John Wiley is the new Washington Department of Social and Health Services media relations manager for Eastern Washington, DSHS Secretary Robin Arnold-Williams announced today.

Wiley has been a professional journalist for more than 30 years, 26 of those years with the Associated Press as a newsman, desk supervisor and correspondent. He has worked out of the Spokane AP bureau for the last 20 years, including 12 years as bureau manager there. In 1985, Wiley opened the AP's Yakima bureau.

Stationed in Spokane, Wiley will work closely with each of the DSHS administrations' communications directors in Olympia as well as local staff and management in Eastern Washington. He will serve as regional spokesperson to the media and help support the administrations' long-term strategic communications and public-outreach plans.

"We're excited to have someone with John's reputation, media expertise and credibility to represent our agency to his long-time colleagues in the Eastern Washington news media," Arnold-Williams said.

Wiley reports directly to DSHS Communications Director Thomas Shapley.

"It's an honor to have such a seasoned, savvy journalist to help tell the story of how committed the people at DSHS are to making life better for our clients, one person at a time, one life at a time," Shapley said. "And his knowledge of the region, the people and the issues will be invaluable in getting that story told.

Wiley is the point person in the region for media information involving:

• Aging and Disability Services Administration
• Children's Administration
• Economic Services Administration
• Health and Recovery Services Administration
• Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration
• Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing

  Wiley's new office is at 1313 North Atlantic, Suite 4250, Spokane, WA 99201.

  He can be reached at 509-363-4797 (office) 509-688-4807 (Blackberry)

His e-mail address is wileyjk@dshs.wa.gov.