Meet our Executive Team

Drew Shirk, Director

Drew was appointed as the Director of the Department of Revenue in 2023. Prior to his appointment he served as the Executive Director of Legislative Affairs for Governor Jay Inslee, helping guide the Governor’s legislative agenda and managing relations with House and Senate members and leadership. Drew possesses a comprehensive understanding of policy making and strategy as well as strong and extensive stakeholder relationships.

Drew’s tenure with the Governor’s Office included numerous legislative victories on a wide range of policy issues. Most notably, the enactment of significant and historic climate legislation: The Climate Commitment Act, Clean Fuel Standard and the 100% Clean Energy Standard. The Working Families Tax Credit, Capital Gains and The Washington College Grant program - also hard fought and won pieces of legislation enacted during his tenure. Moreover, Drew helped shepherd through critical legislation transforming the state’s behavioral health system, bills reducing gun violence and improving safety, and crucial legislation promoting justice and civil rights by creating the Office of Equity, the Office of Independent Investigations, police accountability, Juneteenth Holiday, and environmental justice. 

Preceding his time with the Governor’s Office, Drew served nearly 30 years at the Department of Revenue (DOR). He started with the Compliance division in 1989 and was promoted to various policy positions within the agency. Most recent as the Senior Assistant Director for Tax Policy where he oversaw the Research and Fiscal Analysis, Interpretations and Technical Advice, Legislation and Policy, Property Tax, Administrative Review and Hearings divisions and had overall responsibility for agency tax policy development. Prior to this role, Drew represented DOR with policymakers as the Assistant Director of the Legislation and Policy Division. 

The Wenatchee native earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington and attended the Master of Public Administration Program at Eastern Washington University. Also notable in Drew’s career, was being selected for the Governor’s Leadership in Management Award in July 2013.   

John Ryser, Deputy Director

John directs the Customer Experience and Communications and Working Families Tax Credit divisions, as well as Revenue’s Lean, Information Governance Office, Enterprise Risk, and Internal Audit programs. John has a long history with Revenue, starting his career in the Taxpayer Account Administration division and moving on to the Audit division. He has served as Audit’s Assistant Director and as the agency’s Senior Assistant Director of Operations, Acting Senior Assistant Director of Tax Policy, and Acting Director. 

Tim Jennrich, Senior Assistant Director of Tax Policy

Tim oversees the Department’s Administrative Review and Hearings, Interpretations and Technical Advice, Legislation & Policy, Property Tax, and Research and Fiscal Analysis divisions, as well as the Department’s Tribal Partnership Program and Legislative and External Affairs programs. He is responsible for the overall development of agency tax policy.

Tim has worked for the Department for 17 years, bringing his legal and policy expertise to a variety of tax policy positions, including tax policy specialist and Assistant Director for both the Legislation & Policy and Interpretations and Technical Advice divisions. He also has played an important role in representing Washington as a delegate to the national Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board and with the Multistate Tax Commission. 

Tim received his law degree from Seattle University, a master’s in taxation from the University of Washington, and is an active member of the Washington State Bar Association.

Alyson Fouts, Senior Assistant Director of Operations

Alyson manages the Audit, Compliance, Taxpayer Services, and Taxpayer Account Administration divisions. Alyson started her career with Revenue in 1990 in the Taxpayer Account Administration division and worked in several policy and operations roles including Program Manager for Interpretations and Technical Advice and Assistant Director of Taxpayer Services.

Heidi Geathers, Senior Assistant Director of Administrative Services

Heidi oversees the Information Services, Business and Financial Services, and Human Resources divisions, as well as Revenue’s Equity & Community Partnerships program. Heidi has worked both in the private and public sectors. Before coming to state government, Heidi spent 20 years in the banking industry gaining a keen understanding of customer-centric ideals and practices.