The three Washington citizens Gov.-elect Jay Inslee enlisted to advise him as he sets up his administration signal the right sensibilities for a governor intending to rev the economy.

Significantly, all three co-chairs of Inslee's transition team are education advocates.

Brad Smith, Microsoft's general counsel and executive vice president, not only represents a key industry in our state but also has called publicly and often, as he did in this Seattle Times oped, for vital state investment in education, linking that investment to success for individuals and the economy. Mary Alice Heuschel is the well respected superintendent of the Renton School District and Elson Floyd is president of Washington State University, a renowned research institution and land-grant university with a mission tied to driving academic know-how into the private sector through teaching and research.

Inslee, a Democrat, said he will be hiring both Republicans and Democrats for key government positions and focusing on lean management practices. That's good, and he will be able to build on the work that Gov. Chris Gregoire has started, which is featured in the latest issue of Governing magazine.

The Seattle Times also offered some suggestions in its Sunday editorial. Any more lists out there?

Photo is by John Lok of The Seattle Times. From left, Elson Floyd, Brad Smith, Mary Alice Heuschel and Gov.-elect Jay Inslee.