Meet the GA Team

This team of legislative professionals has the experience and skills essential for achieving wins on behalf of the hospitality industry and promoting solutions to issues and regulations making it easier to do business in Washington state.

Julia Gorton, director of State Government Affairs, has been with the association for more than a decade, and oversees the Association’s state advocacy, political programs and public relations activities. In 2021 Julia led her team to secure $2.7 Billion in relief for businesses impacted by the pandemic in Washington.

Julia has earned a reputation in finding solutions to complicated policy issues, spearheading the effort to create the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program in 2017 – the first of its kind in the country. She was appointed to and serves on the state’s Unemployment Insurance Advisory Committee, the Paid Family Leave Advisory Committee and is vice chair of Enterprise Washington, an organization that seeks positive political outcomes for the business community in Washington.

Julia graduated from Western Washington University with a B.A. in political science and social studies, and currently lives in Olympia, WA with her husband, daughter and dog.

John Lane is the association’s first director of Local Government Affairs.

He has a law degree from Seattle University and has extensive public policy experience, including serving as a Washington state assistant attorney general and as the Office of Financial Management’s legislative and legal counsel.

John has also served as a senior policy adviser to Gov. Jay Inslee on public safety and government operations and as an executive policy adviser to Gov. Christine Gregoire.

Austin Miller joined the association in March of 2021.

He brings a decade of experience working in government and political roles in the Seattle area. Prior to joining the association, Austin worked in several positions for the City of Seattle, including two mayors’ offices and the Department of Education and Early Learning.

He has also worked on a number of political campaigns, ranging from managing the 2014 preschool for all campaign in Seattle to serving on Sen. Maria Cantwell’s 2012 re-election campaign. He holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Washington.

Sean DeWitz joined the association in September 2024. 

He has worked on local, state, and federal elections in nearly every political climate. He comes to the team after four years with Rep. Marilyn Strickland. In addition to the healthcare, education, public safety, and agriculture portfolios, Sean led the congresswoman’s small business and association portfolios. He worked alongside the business industry to roll out COVID-19 support such as the CARES Act and PPP loans. 

He holds a B.A. in economics from the University of North Dakota, his home state. 

As a recent graduate of Pacific Lutheran University, Kerry Dolan has used both her political science and global studies majors and Hispanic studies minor. After graduating, Kerry interned with Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland’s district office, where she learned firsthand how an impactful congressional office operates.

As someone who understands the importance of having a global perspective in politics and is passionate about service work, Kerry also spent a year as an ELCA volunteer in Buenos Aires, Argentina. There she assisted an occupational therapist at a home for elderly folks and people with disabilities, facilitated an after-school leadership program, and created community events on behalf of a Lutheran congregation. After returning from her volunteer work, Kerry dove back into politics and worked on a congressional campaign.

Skylar Schmitt joined the association in June 2022. Since 2016, Skylar has worked on a variety of political campaigns in both field and finance consulting roles.

In 2020 she was the director of outreach for Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland’s successful campaign in Washington’s 10^th Congressional District.

Most recently Skylar worked as a fundraising consultant for political campaigns and non-profits across the country.

She holds a B.A. in political science from Western Washington University.

Derek Baziotis brings a unique blend of industry experience and public service to his role as Local Government Affairs Manager for the Spokane chapter of the Washington Hospitality Association. Raised in a family of restaurateurs, Derek worked at his parents’ restaurant throughout high school, gaining firsthand knowledge of the hospitality industry. Driven by a passion for culinary arts and service, he joined the U.S. Navy as a Culinary Specialist, where he honed his skills over four years.

After his service, Derek returned to Spokane to work alongside his family before fulfilling his dream of opening his own restaurant in 2017. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Derek served as Board Chair for the Spokane chapter, which deepened his interest in government affairs and its impact on the local hospitality industry. Inspired to make a difference, he transitioned to his current role, where he advocates for Spokane’s hospitality community and supports policies that foster growth and resilience.

Autumn Freund joined the association in January of 2023. Autumn grew up in the hospitality industry, working as a cashier in her parents’ bakery in high school and then as a waitress in college.

In 2022, Autumn worked as an intern for State Senator Marko Liias of Washington’s 21st Legislative District.

She holds a B.A. in political science and geography from the University of Washington.