Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Washington Supreme Court Names State Court Administrator

The Washington Supreme Court has unanimously appointed Acting State Court Administrator N.A. “Butch” Stussy to the permanent position of State Court Administrator, effective immediately.  

As State Court Administrator, Stussy will head the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) an agency created by the Legislature in 1957 to provide professional and technical support to the state’s 255 courts.  The agency operates under the direction and supervision of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. 

“The Supreme Court has great confidence in Butch’s leadership qualities and we are delighted that he has accepted this appointment,” said Chief Justice Gerry Alexander of the announcement.  “Butch comes to the job with an impressive 30-year career in public service, and we look forward to working with him to further the cause of justice in Washington State.”

In addition to his tenure as a division director for the AOC for eight years, he held senior management and staff positions in the Department of Information Services, Office of Financial Management, State Library, State Lottery, Department of Social and Health Services and the Washington State Patrol.  Stussy obtained his Masters Degree in Social Sciences from Pacific Lutheran University in 1976 and a Bachelor of Arts from the University in 1974. 

The AOC is responsible for the execution of administrative policies and rules in Washington’s judicial system.  With the assistance of staff, the administrator compiles court statistics; develops and promotes management procedures to accommodate needs of state courts; studies and evaluates information relating to the operations of the judicial system; and provides pertinent information on court operations to the members of the judicial community, branches of government and the public. 

The administrator’s staff also manages the state’s Judicial Information System (JIS) and prepares and submits budget and accounting estimates relating to state appropriations for the judicial system.  For further information regarding the operations of the Washington Supreme Court or the AOC, please visit www.courts.wa.gov.

Wendy K. Ferrell Judicial Communications Manager 360.705.5331 e-mail Wendy.Ferrell@courts.wa.gov

Lorrie Thompson Communications Officer 360.705.5347 Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov