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Because of his years of civic and other public work, Gordon was familiar with Washington's governors. Shortly after becoming RASW's Executive in April of 1966, Gordon arranged a meeting with the Restaurant Association's Board of Directors and Governor Dan Evans. The visits continued on a regular basis through to the 1990's when Gordon retired from the Association.
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
Arbitrarily chosen as Year and Meeting One, we have Governor Dan Evans, RASW Exec V.P. Jack Gordon, Dave Cohn (Consolidated Restaurants, Seattle), John Duras (Jubilee Hanburger Drive-In, Tacoma), unknown, unknown (but I think he was a manager of a large motel in Bellevue), ending with Joe Lavin, RASW's legal counsel.
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
On to a different year with Governor Evans and RASW directors and attendees pictured include (starting at the top) an unknown lady, unknown, RASW counsel Joe Lavin, Al Silverman (Barnaby's Factoria and creator 20+ years later of the Bite of Seattle), You can only see the top of his head, but that's RASW XVP and GM Jack Gordon with his back to us, then unknown, unknown, unknown, and Jack Rabourn (who managed a number of hotels and I don't know where he was when this was taken.)
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
A different angle shows more of the group of RASW directors and staff who met annually with Washington State Governors to show the industry's positions. Starting with Governor Evans on the right, we go on to RASW's Jack Gordon, then unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, and unknown (in plaid coat). Pulled back from the table is Jack Rabourn, then continuing on with unknown, unknown lady, unknown, Joe Lavin, Al Silverman, unknown (away from the table and against the wall), Jim Russell (Pizza Haven, Seattle), unknown (against the wall), Bob Seeber (RASW lobbyist), and Jim Willis (Aggie's Inn, Port Angeles).
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
Clockwise, we have Gov. Dixy Lee Ray, RASW's Executive VP Jack Gordon, Barbara Griffiths (RASW), Bob Seeber (RASW lobbyist), unknown, unknown, unknown, Jim Willis (Aggie's, Port Angeles), Bruce Attebery (Black Angus, Seattle), Frank Finneran (Westin Corp., Seattle), Jerry Burtenshaw (Alpine-Burtco, Seattle).
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
Looking at the same table from the other side. Shown are Ray, Gordon, Griffiths, Seeber. At about the top of this photograph is Ray Lindstrom (Restaurants Unlimited, Seattle), unidentified, Rod Smith (Alpen Village, Sultan), unidentified, Attebery, Finneran, and Burtenshaw.
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
The RASW Directors intently listen to Gov. Ray make a point. [Ed. Note: It was pretty tough to look serious as you listened to someone talk with her dog on her lap (see a couple of shots down.)]
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
RASW Exec. Gordon has just said something that has everyone chuckling.
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
A different year with Gov. Dixy Lee Ray. The Governor and her dog, then RASW's Jack Gordon, Bob Seeber (RASW lobbyist), Nina Smith (RASW's Board Secretary), and Jim Russell (Pizza Haven, Seattle). On the other side of the table are Terry Lynch (Park Lane and Shamrock Motels of Spokane and representing the State Hotel-Motel Association), and Bruce Attebery of Black Angus, Seattle.
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
Thanks to the unidentified WSP photographer who did his best to get everyone in at least one of the pictures, we have Jack Gordon and Seeber on the lower left. At the end of the table opposite Gov. Ray is Frank Finneran, Westin Hotels, Seattle, (sitting in a chair behind Finneran) is Chuck Quinn (Charlie's Restaurants, Seattle), then Larry Maier (Grand Coulee), Jerry Burtenshaw, unknown, Frank Voogd (Washington Athletic Club, Seattle), Lynch, and Attebery.
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
nother view exposes more people. Behind Nina Smith of RASW is what looks like Elaine Richardson (RASW). Next to Ms. Smith is Jim Russell, then Gill Centioli (KFC, Seattle), and Carl Borg (Host International, SeaTac Airport).
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
The last picture from this meeting and we have an unidentified RASW employee sitting in the chair behind the Governor.
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
Early 1980's saw the RASW Board meeting with Governor John Spellman. Spellman is seated at the bottom with the back of his head facing the camera. Clockwise from him are Gordon, Bob Seeber (RASW lobbyist), John R Gordon (RASW), unknown (RASW), Gil Centioli (Kentucky Fried Chicken), Bob Snider (Thunderbird/Red Lion Inns), Jim Willis (Aggie's Inn), Frank Finneran (Westin Hotels), Andy Devine (WSU), Frank Voogd, (Washington Athletic Club), Arnie Thoreson (Brodie/Dohrmann -- You can just see the top of Arnie's head), Kenneth Alhadeff (Longacres), Jack Rabourn (Tyee Motor Inn), Jim Russell (Pizza Haven), and Gary Wilson (Vance Hotels). Sitting at the far wall are Mrs. Centioli, Elaine Richardson (RASW), and Barbara Murphy (RASW).
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
Another meeting with Washington Governor John Spellman.
As the meeting starts, RASW Executive Jack Gordon reviews the agenda.
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
Clockwise from Gov Spellman are Jack Gordon, Bob Seeber, Victor Rosellini, Jim Willis, Max Dale, Al Aronica, Gill Centioli, Arnie Thoreson, Jack Rabourn, Carl Borg, unidentified, Tore Dybfest, unidentified, Warren Anderson, and RASW President Jim Russell, Pizza Haven. Back behind Victor are Bruce Attebery, unidentified woman, and what looks like Barbara Murphy.
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
Here's another view of the table above. The photograph is by the official WSP photographer, but it's not otherwise identified or dated. The picture at the top has black ashtrays. The next three (starting with Jack and the agenda) have fancier white ashtrays. I'm not sure which came first. New people in this photo are Ninalei Smith (behind Jim Russell) and an unidentified man.
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
An ever-gracious Governor Spellman takes time following his meeting with the Association's board to greet the staff. Left to right are Barbara Murphy, Carol Wright (shaking the governor's hand), and Gina Provancha.
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
From the middle '80s, a photo of Booth Gardner quizzing RASW's Bob Seeber.
Photo by Washington State Patrol photographers
Photo Courtesy of Washington State Governor's Office
Joining with RASW's Jack Gordon (back to camera) were Bob Seeber, Dick Moseanko (Country Cousin), Jerry Manuel (Pepe's Pizza), Claude Clark Vagabond Restaurant), _________ __________ (__________ Spokane), Ray Lindstrom (Restaurants Unlimited), Bruce Attebery (Black Angus), Unknown, Rod Smith (Alpen Village), Unknown, Jack Rabourn (Tyee Motor Inn), and Governor Gardner
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