Gary Locke was born in Seattle, the son of Chinese immigrants. He attended Franklin High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from Yale University and a Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law.

Locke began his professional career as a deputy prosecutor for King County in the late 1970s, a role that ignited his commitment to public service. In 1982, he was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives, where he advocated for educational reform, criminal justice improvements, and economic development.

In 1993, Gary was elected King County Executive. His leadership paved the way for his historic 1997 campaign, in which he became the first Chinese American elected governor in the United States. As the 21st Governor of Washington (1997-2005), he steered the state through the dotcom bust and the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks; earning a reputation as a pragmatic, forward-thinking leader committed to education, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

Locke’s national service began when President Barack Obama appointed him as United States Secretary of Commerce in 2009. In that role, he promoted American business competitiveness and innovation until 2011, when he was subsequently appointed United States Ambassador to China—a post he held until 2014. In this capacity, he worked to strengthen diplomatic ties, address trade imbalances, and advocate for human rights, leveraging his deep understanding of both American and Chinese cultures. He was a visiting fellow at Harvard University Kennedy School of Politics. He served as interim president of Bellevue College, from June 15, 2020, until July 1, 2023, and is current a Senior Advisory at Dorsey & Whitney.

Beyond his extensive governmental service, Gary has consistently demonstrated a commitment to community engagement by serving on the boards of nonprofit organizations such as the Seattle Foundation, PATH, the Asia Society, and the Allen Institute.