Robert M. Arnold and Family Honored with National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion

December 12, 2006; Olympia, WA … Secretary of State Sam Reed will present Robert M. Arnold today with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Medallion, the highest award the Office of the Secretary of State presents. This year marks the first NASS Medallion ever awarded in the state of Washington.

The NASS Medallion recognizes outstanding service and dedication to furthering the mission of the National Association of Secretaries of State and is chosen by each individual Secretary of State throughout the nation.

“Robert Arnold exemplifies the qualities my office endorses through his work as a business, civic and philanthropic leader, and as an angel investor,” said Reed. “I’m proud to honor a man who selflessly gives back to our community.”

Arnold, a Seattle native, is best known for his service and giving to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and to the local arts.

After losing his mother, father and brother to cancer, he succeeded his father on the board of directors at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. He is the founding member of the Hutch Senior Council. In 2005, Robert Arnold donated an unprecedented gift of $15 million.

Arnold expanded on his family’s tradition of giving with long-standing support of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center as well as many other philanthropic and civic contributions. This includes active roles such as a volunteer and trustee at Seattle-area institutions ranging from Swedish Medical Center and the Swedish Medical Center Foundation to the Seattle Art Museum.

“Robert Arnold has also made extraordinary monetary and personal contributions to our state’s growing technology field,” remarked Reed. “He has additionally made substantial contributions to our nationally recognized medical-research facilities. His tireless support and leadership make him a distinguished citizen.”

“The NASS Medallion is a well-deserved honor for Robert Arnold and the Arnold Family in recognition for their many decades of philanthropic support to the Seattle community,” said Swedish Medical Center President and CEO Richard Peterson. “Starting in1972 with their $1 million donation to help fund a new medical-office building at our first hill campus to their recent support of the Swedish Heart and Vascular Institute, the Arnold Family has been tireless in their generous, loyal support of our nonprofit mission. For that, we will be forever grateful.”

A graduate of Yale University with a business administration and economics degree, he went on to Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington where he graduated with honors. His first job was with Seattle-First National Bank during summer vacations.

Mr. Arnold served four years of active military services as a carrier-based naval aviator. He returned to Seafirst in 1955 and was elected assistant vice president in 1961 and vice president in 1965. In 1981, he retired from the Seafirst, but continued to serve on the board of directors until 1999.

Mr. Robert M. Arnold will be presented with the NASS Medallion at a private reception in Seattle organized by The Protocol Foundation and Keiretsu Forum and attended by other business and civic leaders.