Joe Dear was named executive director of the $48 billion Washington State Investment Board, Olympia, effective Nov. 12. He will succeed James F. Parker, who retired March 15. Mr. Dear was a lobbyist for Frank Russell; he had been chief of state to Washington Gov. Gary Locke and also head of OSHA under President Clinton. Mr. Dear was a member of the state investment board from 1987 to 1993, serving as its chairman from 1989 to 1991.
Officials at Frank Russell did not return calls seeking comment on who will replace Mr. Dear. Ford Webb and Associates conducted the search.