Mr. Putnam brings over 35 years of experience in state government and private sector management, including 25 years in senior leadership roles. His career spans Information Technology management, manufacturing operations, and leading a team of over 500 employees. He was project manager for two company mergers and implemented major enterprise-level IT systems.

Academically, Mr. Putnam holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and an MBA. He served as a Baldrige National Quality Award examiner, a senior examiner for the Washington State Quality Award, taught quality improvement and personnel management courses for the state and a Management Information Systems college course.  He has presented at national conferences and published nine papers in national trade journals and conference proceedings.

Deeply engaged in his community, Mr. Putnam chaired the OBee Credit Union board and currently serves on church and hospital committees. His fire service includes roles as a volunteer firefighter, lieutenant, and Fire Commissioner in two districts, along with leadership positions in the Thurston County Fire Commissioners Association.