Matt Jones, the director of Washington State’s Department of Enterprise Services, has taken leave from his position, but state officials have not explained why or how long he is expected to be away.
The Department of Enterprise Services informed employees about the leadership change through an internal memo sent on July 9. In the message, Chief Operations Officer Jo Aiken said she would serve as interim director while Jones remains out of the office.
The agency has not provided additional details about the reason for Jones’ leave. Officials also have not announced a timeline for his return.
A spokesperson for Washington Governor Bob Ferguson’s office confirmed that the governor’s office is aware of the situation but directed questions to the Department of Enterprise Services for further information.
The agency later confirmed that Jones had taken leave. Officials also stated that there are no allegations or evidence of criminal wrongdoing connected to his absence.
Neither the governor’s office nor the department answered questions about whether Governor Ferguson was involved in any decisions leading up to the announcement. Officials have declined to comment further.
Jones has spent nearly two decades working in Washington state government. He began his public service career in 2006 with the Department of General Administration before joining the Department of Enterprise Services when it was created in 2011.
During his career, Jones led the Capitol Campus and Visitor Services Division for seven years. He later became interim chief operations officer in late 2024 before Governor Ferguson appointed him acting director in January 2025. He officially became director in July 2025.
The Department of Enterprise Services plays a major role in Washington state government. According to the agency, it oversees more than 900 employees, manages an operating budget of approximately $280 million, and is responsible for a capital program valued at about $1.2 billion.
The department also manages the Washington State Capitol campus, construction projects, state purchasing services, risk management, parking operations, printing and mailing services, and workforce support for other state agencies.
If Jones does not return to his position, he would become one of several senior officials who have left or changed roles since Governor Ferguson took office in January 2025.
Last month, Tim Reynon stepped down as executive director of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs after being elected to the Tribal Council of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
Earlier, Jaime Martin resigned as the governor’s external relations director to accept a position with a Seattle law firm. In January, Joe Nguyen also left as director of the Department of Commerce to become president of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. The position has not yet been permanently filled.
The governor’s office also experienced leadership changes during its first months in office. Legislative Director Joyce Bruce and Deputy Legislative Director Shawn Lewis both resigned in March 2025.
Soon afterward, Chief Strategy Officer Mike Webb left his position following workplace misconduct allegations involving claims of a hostile work environment. In another leadership change, Policy Director Sahar Fathi took an extended leave before returning in January to serve as chief impact officer.
Despite the recent personnel changes, state officials have not indicated that Jones’ leave is connected to any broader staffing issues within the administration.
For now, Jo Aiken will continue leading the Department of Enterprise Services while Jones remains on leave. State officials have not announced when further information about his status may be released, and the agency says there is currently no confirmed return date.
