Pine Lake resident Dean Willard has announced he will campaign for 5th Legislative District State Representative Position 2, currently held by Fall City Republican Glenn Anderson.

Willard, a former T-Mobile Executive, currently works as a technology management and information security consultant to national companies.

He is a member of the 5th District Democrats, of which his wife, Dorothy, is Treasurer.

“Washington State is still only graduating 70 percent of it’s high school students. As a businessperson, I know we have to do better if our kids are going to truly compete in the global economy, Willard said in a statement released by his campaign last week. “I am ready to take my business experience to Olympia to improve our public schools, balance our budget and bring some business sense to the Capitol. I believe my 20 years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience will help me start quickly solving our state’s ongoing budget crisis, ensuring stronger economic development and building a world-class public school system.”

Anderson was first elected to represent the 5th District in 2000. The 5th District includes Issaquah, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, North Bend, Fall City, Maple Valley, and parts of unincorporated King County.

Willard is on the board of directors for the Seattle Youth Symphony, the steering committee for Treehouse for Kids Golf Tournament, and the Washington Community For Self-Help Gala.