Gov. Christine Gregoire has appointed local East Indian community leader Debadutta Dash as Commissioner to the Washington State Commission on Asian- and Pacific-American Affairs (CAPAA).

Dash works in Bellevue as service culture trainer and sales manager for the Westin Hotel downtown. He is also co-chair of the Washington State and India Trade Relations Action Committee (WASITRAC), and is woking with that group to create a state trade delegation to India.

WASITRAC was instrumental in securing a request from the Indian government for a general consulate for that country in Bellevue. The U.S. State Department is considering that request.

Dash’s term with CAPAA will last three years, beginning Jan. 30.

CAPAA’s mission is to ensure the participation of Asian-Pacific Americans in government, business, and education.

Asian-Pacific Americans make up the fastest-growing racial group nationally and in the state of Washington. The subgroup is expected to make up 10 percent of the state population in 20 years.

Washington ranks seventh among all states in terms of its Asian-Pacific American population.