Rick Bender has spent a lifetime serving Washington and advocating for the well-being of working people.

He served as a Washington State legislator, including ten years in the House and eight years in the Senate. During that time he held several leadership roles in Olympia, including House Assistant Majority Leader, Senate Majority Whip, and Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. After leaving the legislature, he continued his work on behalf of workers as President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, where he championed worker protections, strong workplaces, and safer jobs across the state.

He also brought his leadership and perspective to many public boards and commissions throughout Washington. And even before that distinguished career in public service, he served our country in the Army in the Vietnam War.

For Evergreen Safety Council, his impact has been especially meaningful. He served on our Board of Directors for roughly three decades, helping guide the organization and strengthen its mission to improve safety throughout our communities. Those who know him know he brings both passion and conviction to the belief that every worker deserves to go home safe at the end of the day.