Roger grew up in Westport, WA, has a bachelor's in communications from the Edward R. Murrow School of Communication at Washington State University, and he is a 2003 graduate of Leadership Tomorrow.

A former journalist with The Associated Press, Roger Nyhus leads Governor Gary Locke's communications team and serves as a strategic counselor to the governor, his senior staff and cabinet. Roger previously served as communications director for Seattle Mayor Paul Schell during the last six months of his term.

Roger owned Nyhus Communications LLC, a technology and financial communications consulting business. He was a strategic counselor to many leading national and international clients, including Teledesic, the Internet-in-the-Sky satellite communications company funded by telecommunications pioneer Craig McCaw and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates; McCaw's private investment company Eagle River; the national wireless services provider Nextel; Frank Russell Company; Washington Mutual; and the Free Willy Keiko Foundation.