New Asst. Supt. of Finance & Operations Announced
Educational Service District 123 is pleased to announce the selection of Michael J. Paquette as the new Assistant Superintendent, Finance and Operations. Paquette, currently of Tumwater, comes to the ESD from the Washington State Board of Accountancy in Olympia where he serves as executive director and as a member of the Governor’s Small Agency Cabinet. Paquette will step into his new role on July 15, 2024.
“Michael’s extensive background in finance and government made him an ideal candidate for this important position,” said ESD 123 Superintendent Steve McCullough. “His leadership skills and deep understanding of both financial operations and governmental policies will undoubtedly strengthen our team. We know he’s going to do a great job.”
Paquette brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. He has a long history working in finance, prior to his work with the Board of Accountancy he served as the budget director for the Washington State Health Care Authority, and prior to that he was the assistant director of accounting and financial services for the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Throughout his career he has worked to effectively manage agency resources, has created vital budget projections and has worked to provide overall guidance to the agencies he’s worked for and their boards. He has a strong background in strategic planning, as well as identifying operational goals and performance measures.
Paquette holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, is a licensed certified public accountant and served 22 years in the U.S. Army.