New Postmaster Selected for Spokane

SPOKANE WA — Karen Fairlee was named the new postmaster for the United States Postal Service’s Spokane Post Office and will be sworn in on June 27, 2008 according to a USPS spokesperson. As postmaster, Fairlee will be responsible for all mail delivery, customer service and retail operations in Spokane. 

Fairlee began her postal career in 1982 as a Distribution clerk in Casper, Wyoming.  She was promoted to her first management position in 1998 and held a number of similar positions attaining higher goals as time went on. She moved to the Northwest in 2002 when she transferred to Richland, Washington. Moving to Spokane in 2005 Fairlee served as Manager of the former Opportunity Branch post office, since renamed Spokane Valley Branch. She was then promoted to Manager Customer Service Operations under the direction of recently retired Spokane Postmaster Ed Schierberl.

“I have worked with the Spokane District for five years now and feel the work ethic and enthusiasm of the employees will make the transition to postmaster both exciting and rewarding,” said Fairlee. “While all of the Postal Service faces serious challenges in the coming years, I know Spokane will continue to be a solid performer.”

Fairlee is the 34th postmaster of Spokane and believed to be the first woman to hold the position in Spokane’s 136-year history. Although selected for the job on May 7th she will undergo her official oath of office on Friday, June 27, 2008 in the main post office building located at 904 W Riverside Avenue.