About our director

Teresa Berntsen, Acting Director, was appointed to the Department of Licensing in October of 2011.

With over 24 years of state service, she most recently served as Governor Gregoire’s executive policy advisor on transportation. Prior to working for the Governor, Teresa spent several years as the budget and policy analyst for the House Transportation Committee with Licensing as one of her primary agencies of oversight. She also worked for several years with the Liquor Control Board creating policy, legislative, and regulatory reform work that included the implementation of statewide programs such as Alcohol Impact Areas and liquor licensing reform.

Born and raised in Olympia, Teresa lives with her husband and two children. On her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors while kayaking, hiking, and camping with the kids. Otherwise, she loves travel, a good laugh, and reading non-fiction books.