Partner spotlight: Douglas Sevin, gold panner and policy writer extraordinaire
Much of the success of our lean and mighty team is knowing when - and more importantly with whom – to partner on complex projects like our work with the California Department of Social Services whom we are helping re-write CalFresh regulations.
Of our many talented partners, Douglas Sevin was an obvious choice to tap for this engagement (as was Ty Cox, who we’ll feature in our next partner spotlight).
It is a rare person who has the heart, talent and technical expertise to dive into detailed policy writing. A source of pride for Sevin is his contribution to establish policy to support and increase awareness of the PASS program and ABLE accounts. He’s especially passionate about ensuring people’s potential does not go unrecognized, especially individuals dealing with a mental disorder, for whom these programs are essential to survival.
Sevin and Alicia Koné worked together many times while both were in service to Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services. During his 37 years with the department, Sevin’s contribution spanned the gamut from field work – processing applications for cash, food, and medical benefits, being a financial worker, and a social services caseworker investigating allegations of child abuse and helping people move out of nursing homes – to two decades as a policy analyst for the state’s cash and food assistance programs, as well as having been the division legislative and rules coordinator.
Douglas Sevin teaching Sekou Kone, our VP of International Affairs, how to pan for gold during our August annual retreat.
We count ourselves lucky Sevin’s retirement was short lived – soon after retiring from state service, he obtained an editor certificate from the University of Washington and started Blue Wizard Editing Services. Sevin shared that he is pleased to be working with Alicia again on a project to update administrative rules for food assistance. As are we!
Our work together is enriching in many ways – we enjoy being charmed by his stories of family, travel and hobbies – on his most recent trip, while in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, he met a man who worked for NASA whose job was to help Buzz Aldren get into his space suit! And we all benefited from Sevin’s new gold panning hobby, which he taught us during our annual retreat in August.
Thank you, Douglas, for being such a great partner and friend!
Koné Consulting
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS INSPIRING CHANGE
AND LASTING IMPROVEMENTS
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