Leadership

To ensure seamless solutions for customers, we use a "One DES" organizational approach where all divisions have equal responsibility for working together to help us achieve our goals, as reflected in our organizational chart. Areas of work are organized into two areas:

  • Operations: responsible for delivering the end product to external customers.
  • Shared transformational services: responsible for providing the systems, processes, and support that make operations possible.

A three-member Executive Cabinet leads those efforts and supports the agency's mission, vision, and values.

The DES Executive Cabinet includes Interim Director Matt Jones and Deputy Director and Chief Transformation Officer Pam Duncan. The Deputy Director/Chief Operations Officer position is currently vacant.

Director Matt Jones

Matt Jones in a blue suite jacket and wearing glasses.

As a member of the Governor's Executive Cabinet, Matt drives the mission of DES to strengthen the business of government.

With more than 900 employees across many diverse business lines, DES delivers cost-effective central support services that meet the needs of customers throughout state and local governments, so they can focus on their core missions. Matt oversees DES' $280 million operating budget, and a capital program of $1.2 billion through many different programs, including centralized procurement, facilities management, real estate, printing and mailing, surplus equipment disposition, public works capital projects, risk management, fleet management, workforce support and development, stewardship of the country's largest state capitol campus, and the support of small agencies.

Matt started his state service with the Department of General Administration in 2006 and has been with DES since it was formed in 2011. Over the years, he's helped shape key divisions within the agency and establish programs and services that support Washington state.

After over seven years leading our Capitol Campus and Visitor Services (CSVS) Division, Matt was appointed DES interim chief operations officer in October 2024. Gov. Ferguson appointed Matt interim director in January 2025 and then director in July 2025.

As DES' director, Matt leads the agency with a clear vision to enhance operations and customer service and strengthen the business of government to ensure services are funneled to communities across the state. He's focused on elevating the agency and its role in supporting small businesses, stewardship of Capitol Campus, and being effective business partners to state agencies, enabling the state to provide efficient services to the people of Washington.

Deputy Director and Chief Transformation Officer Pam Duncan

Pamela Duncan with a big smile on her face

Pamela (Pam) Duncan joined DES in March 2023 as our chief transformation officer, with almost 40 years of professional experience ranging across both public and private sectors. She is a change agent. Her career has focused on identifying critical institutional, community, and social issues to create opportunities for collaborating on sustainable systems redesign.

Pam is passionate about helping others understand the foundations of systemic racism and raising awareness on the journey to undo institutionalized and systemic oppression. Her signature work is with systems development, particularly using the collective impact model. She approaches every situation as "what could be" based on examining how things evolved to their present state; challenging the existing status quo, people's beliefs and habits, and identifying alternative models that shift power paradigms.

Pam has served as CEO of the Metropolitan Development Council, Human Services Manager for the City of Tacoma, Director of Community Investment and Assessment with United Way of Pierce County, and adjunct instructor with the Evergreen State College. Internationally, Pam is cofounder of the Ivory Coast Agricultural Network, which includes a non-governmental organization (NGO) in West Africa and a U.S.-based nonprofit organization.

Deputy Director and Chief Operations Officer

This position is currently vacant.