Boeing's veteran lobbyist is leaving the company to head the Washington Research Council. Al Ralston has been a presence in the Capitol for Boeing for 20 years. At the WRC, Ralston will replace Richard Davis who left last year for the Association of Washington Business. (Davis writes a blog for AWB that is worth reading if you care about business and politics.)

The research council is a business-backed think tank that focuses on state and local government issues. Ralston has been serving as chairman of the board of the group.

Before Boeing, Ralston worked for Blue Cross of Washington and Alaska and in the City of Seattle's lobbying office. He starts his new job in August.

Ralston has always been exceedingly polite to me. And he has almost always refused to comment for the record. In 13 years at The Seattle Time I find one story of mine with a quote from Ralston. It was quite the accomplishment. Ralston was an adherent to the Boeing style of lobbying perfected by the company's former chief lobbyist, Bud Coffey. As I wrote in the 2001 story that included a Ralston quote:

When Gov. Gary Locke announced his transportation plan last week, he looked around for Ralston among the people gathered for the news conference.

"I think I saw Al Ralston here," Locke said as he surveyed the room.

Ralston was there, but not in the front, not where the cameras could see him.

And that's the customary Boeing way. The company's lobbyists traditionally stay in the background. When there are major issues to push, they work to build a coalition so it does not become a "Boeing issue."

Now Ralston will be assuming the role of a spokesman for business issues. I look forward to calling him in August and being able to tell you what he says.