Board of Directors
Application for Board Membership Applications will be accepted from September 1-October 1, 2013
Adina Bielenberg
Adina Bielenberg and her family have been a part of the Palouse for over 100 years. She was born in Pullman, is a Genesee High graduate and earned degrees in psychology and consumer studies from the University of Idaho. She is the Executive Assistant to the President and manages the Public Affairs Department for Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. "I am honored to have the opportunity to represent SEL on the Pullman Chamber of Commerce board and thrilled to be actively engaged with the Pullman community”. She currently serves on the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Association of Washington Business boards. Adina and husband Blake have two children, Mackenzie 11 and Preston 9.
Carol Chipman is a co-owner of Chipman and Taylor Chevrolet. She was born and raised in Mountain Home, Idaho, and graduated from the University of Idaho. She has lived in Pullman since she and her husband purchased the Brown and Holter Chevy-Olds dealership in 1976. Carol has served on several community boards and committees, and is currently beginning her third term as a Director of the Chamber of Commerce Board. She loves the unique beauty of the rolling hills, and the progressive, vibrant environment present in Pullman due to the university. Carol sees the Chamber as vital for the health of Pullman, and is happy to contribute to it.
Doug Cox
Doug Cox graduated from WSU with a degree in Ag Business (’93). Doug is employed as a Vice President & Commercial Lender at Columbia Bank and has provided lending services in Pullman since 1999. Pullman activities include Kiwanis, Palouse Discovery Science Center board President, Pullman Civil Service Commission, Pullman Junior Miss Fundraising chairman & is a WSU student athlete mentor. His hobbies include hunting, scuba, snow & water skiing. Doug’s wife Amy works in the College of Education and together they have 2 kids, Hunter (12) and Reagan (9) attending LMS & Sunnyside Elementary.
Kyle Erdman ASWSU PRESIDENT
J. Thomas Handy Jr, is a Former President of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and owner of Paradise Creek Brewery, and Landmark Property Development. Born in Wisconsin, Tom has resided in Pullman for over 27 years. He appreciates the small town atmosphere with the mix of big city influences that Pullman offers. Tom says that Pullman is not just a great place to raise and educate children; it is also a friendly business community that has a can-do forward thinking city administration. This is his eighth year on the board, and Tom says that the chamber gives him an opportunity to be active in an organization that truly makes a positive impact on the prosperity of Pullman and the surrounding area.
Colleen Harrington is an attorney and partner in the law firm of Irwin, Myklebust, Savage and Brown, P.S., where she specializes in civil litigation. She attended Washington State University for her undergraduate degree and following graduation, managed the Fairco gas station on Grand Avenue for several years. Colleen moved to the Bay Area and attended the University of San Francisco Law School and graduated in 1986. Following graduation, she and her husband moved back to Pullman. Since her return, Colleen has been very active in the Pullman Community; she has had two six year terms with the United Way of Pullman Board of Directors, serving as campaign chair and board president. Colleen has also served as the president of the Whitman County Humane Society and she is a past president of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce.
Charlene Jasper owns Daily Grind Espresso, LLC and Licks Unlimited and is currently serving her fourth term as a Pullman Chamber of Commerce Board of Director member. She is originally from Walla Walla, and has lived in Pullman for 28 years. Charlene appreciates the small town community spirit and the opportunities that Pullman offers her to get involved. Being a member of the business community requires an obligation on her part, she says, to give back to the community. Being on the Board of Directors allows Charlene to contribute to the experiences that both the business community and residents in Pullman enjoy.
Glenn Johnson
Former President Glenn Johnson is the Mayor of Pullman and a Professor in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at WSU. One of his other jobs is serving as the “Voice of the Cougars”. Glenn is in his 33rd year as the public address announcer for all WSU football and men’s basketball games. He is also a past Chamber President. Glenn serves on the executive team, as a former president, and on the board of the Association of Washington Cities. AWC is an organization that represents all 281 cities in Washington. He is also chair of the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport Board of Directors; on the board of Municipal Research and Service Center, Seattle; the Community Action Center for Whitman County; and Washington State Association of Broadcasters. He volunteers on a number of chamber committees—Fourth of July (chair); Artesians; Government Affairs; and volunteers with Lentil festival and Cabaret.
Henry D. Johnston
Henry Johnston is the Customer Relations Manager for Wysup Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Pullman. As an area resident for nearly 10 years, Henry has been affiliated, one way or another, with the Pullman Chamber of Commerce since 2005 and has worked in Pullman since 2008 when he was hired as general manager of RadioShack on Bishop Boulevard, a position he held until joining the Wysup team in 2010. Henry lives in Moscow with his partner of seven years, Alex Irwin who also works in Pullman at SEL. Henry enjoys all the activities that the Palouse region has to offer and is humbled to be selected to serve on the Pullman Chamber board.
Paul Kimmell
Paul Kimmell currently serves as the Regional Business Manager for Avista Corporation. He was the former executive director of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce from 2001-2006 as well as serving three terms as a Latah County Commissioner. Kimmell has a BS in Geography/Urban Planning from Illinois State University and did graduate work in land management at the University of Idaho. He presently serves as chair of the Inland Northwest Partners, president of the Latah Economic Development Council, board member to the Inland Northwest Economic Alliance, Pullman United Way and past chair of the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee. Paul is married to Constance and has three grown children.
Chuck Morrow
Chuck Morrow is the current President of the Chamber Board. He and his wife Stacy have lived in the Palouse since June of 1994. He is currently the store manager of Crimson & Gray where he has worked since the opening of the store in August of 2004. Prior to that, Chuck worked at the Bookie on campus for ten years as the textbook department manager and later Book Division manager. Chuck feels that the Pullman Chamber of Commerce is the heart of the community and is excited to a part of the board of directors.
Theresa Myers
Former President Theresa Myers is the co-owner of Myers Auto Rebuild and Towing. She is from Kent, and has lived in Pullman for 33 years. Theresa loves the small town lifestyle in Pullman, and she adds that it is a great place to raise kids, due to the great schools. There is a variety of cultural and sporting events in the region, and she enjoys being so close to outdoor recreation opportunities and likes to watch the seasons change. As a member of Board of Directors, she finds it meaningful to help build a vital economic base for the citizens of Pullman, and to promote Pullman and the region as a great place to live and do business. Theresa says that it is important to educate people that Pullman has many great businesses and that they don’t need to go out of town to find what they need, as it is offered right here in town.
Marty Northcroft Marty Northcroft is the current Director of Marketing for WSU Athletics.
Tony Poston Tony Poston is the owner of College Hill Custom Threads, a custom apparel design company. Originally from Sandpoint, Idaho, Tony graduated from Washington State University in 2007 after earning a degree in Political Science/Pre-Law. During his time as an undergrad, Tony was active in ASWSU, The Inter-fraternity Council and The Student Entertainment board and fell in love with WSU and the City of Pullman and hoped to return in the future. The opportunity finally presented itself in 2011, when he and two others founded College Hill Custom Threads near campus. Tony believes that the Chamber of Commerce can help show that Pullman is not only a great college town but the perfect place to raise a family and start a business. By helping coordinate fun and exciting events he wants to help bridge the gap between local businesses and WSU students, showing that both can work together to benefit from each other.
Bobbie Ryder
Bobbie Ryder is the Senior Campus Planner for Washington State University. As a Landscape Architect and Planner, she works with major and minor capital projects, campus master plans, and environmental review. She is Co-chair of the recently established WSU Arboretum & Wildlife Conservation Center, the WSU Land Use Committee, and provides staff support to several University Committees (Historic Preservation, Campus Arts, Campus Landscape, Campus Master Planning). Bobbie is also a board member of the Pullman Civic Trust and the College Hill Association. She was raised in a Navy military family and moved from one coast to the other growing up. She and her husband, Karl Johanson, have lived on the Palouse for 34 years and raised four children in the exceptional Pullman Public School system. Bobbie believes that the heart of economic development starts with creating an atmosphere where people want to be. People want a vibrant downtown, attractive and affordable housing, good schools, access to medical care, a safe community, cultural events, grocery stores and shopping, and good employment opportunities; all qualities readily found it Pullman.
Past Chamber President Gary Schell is a Broker with Beasley Realty, co-owner of Evergreen Storage and GDS Properties and takes pride in promoting Pullman as a great place to live and do business. Gary appreciates the friendly people in Pullman and the uniqueness of living in a small community combined with the advantages of a large University. Gary finds his position on the Board of Directors to be meaningful since he enjoys being involved in the community and helping out whenever possible. He is also involved in Rotary, Pullman Hospital Foundation, Church activities, Fraternity advising and of course watching Cougar sports events. Gary and his wife Sue, an elementary teacher, find Pullman a great place to live, work, and do business while raising their family.
Paul Sturm is the superintendent of the Pullman School District and has been a member of the chamber since moving to Pullman in 2002. He is a current member and past chair of the Artesians and continues to be involved with the Government Affairs committee. Paul and his wife, Nadine, love Pullman and Eastern Washington with its diverse climate and environments, along with the array of outdoor activities, and arts, entertainment, and athletic events. Both of them believe that the Palouse is a premium place to live and work.Being a member of the Chamber and the Chamber Board is a way to learn about the perspective of the business community. Paul views the School District’s role in providing learning opportunities for students and families to be a vital element of the quality of life and for the economic development of the area. Membership in the Chamber and on the Board is a satisfying way to give back to the community for its generous commitment to its schools and other city and county service to families.
Joan Swensen Joan Swensen is a native of The Palouse where she was raised on a farm between Moscow and Genesee. Her 20's were spent in the
Bay Area (California) then back to Moscow and except for four years in Pennsylvania as a private chef, she has been doing restaurants since '81, starting with the Main Street Deli. Joan has been at Swilly's as Exec. Chef since '95 and purchased the restaurant in 2003. She recently served on the board of the UofI Prichard Art Gallery. When not playing restaurant, Joan can be found riding her blind dressage horse, painting and collecting art, collecting wine for her private cellar, tending her perennial and vegetable garden, throwing dinner parties for friends, and hanging out with her dog Kisha, Tigger, Winnie and Fritz, her feline roommates. Joan really enjoys serving on the board of the Pullman Chamber with some of her favorite customers and friends!
Mike Waite is a past president of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, and is a Financial Representative for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. He is from Weiser, Idaho and has lived in the Palouse Region for over 20 years. Mike enjoys the small town hospitality of Pullman, with the amenities typically found only in larger cities. He finds that being a member of the Board of Directors is meaningful because it gives him the opportunity to be proactive in the community, and to promote Pullman as a great place to live and do business.
Former Chamber President Susan Weed (1996-97) is co-owner and Office Manager for NewsTalk1150 KQQQ-AM and HitRadio104.3 KHTR radio stations. She is a long term member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, and also serves as a Member of the Pullman School District Board of Directors, as well as on the Pullman Civil Service Commission, The Pullman Regional Hospital Auxililary, The Whitman County Commision on Salaries for Elected Officials. She was born and raised in Seattle. Susan and her husband Bill have owned and operated Pullman's radio stations for the past 37 years. Susan says that Pullman has been a wonderful place to raise their 3 kids, and she loves going to businesses and knowing that she can trust the person behind the counter. She believes that if you care deeply about something, like she does about our community, then it is important be get involved. Being a Board member gives Susan the satisfaction of knowing that she is helping to make Pullman a better place to live, work and do business!
Former President Pat Wright is another long term member of the Board of Directors, and, another former Chamber President. Since her retirement as General Manager of The Bookie, Pat has remained active in the Pullman community. She enjoys working part-time at Neill's Flowers and Gifts and on the Pullman City Council. In addition to being a Chamber of Commerce Board member, Pat is Past President and Membership Chair of Pullman Regional Hospital Auxiliary and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Pullman Education Foundation. Pat has lived in Pullman since 1975. She is originally from New York, and moved to California before residing in Pullman. She says that Pullman is a wonderful, safe place to raise a family, to enjoy the many amenities offered through the university and to appreciate the closeness and warmth of a small community in terms of living, working, and doing business. By being a Board member, Pat says that she has the opportunity to promote Pullman and all that it offers, and is a way for her to develop strong business relationships that provide a gateway to participate in different projects and activities that truly make a difference in the community.
Mike Yates is a past president, and is the President of Very Cool Spaces, LLC, a Pullman-based Business and Property Development Company. Primarily focused on the redevelopment and adaptive re-use of the downtown core, Mike is the co-founder and business consultant of several companies and mixed-use developments in the Pullman area, including; BellTower Concert House & Event Venue, Market Square Lofts & Retail, Combine Mall Building and Prune Orchard-Details for Living/Gift Store. Originally from Seattle and while still working in the Technology Industry, Mike and his wife Debbie made a “lifestyle-decision” to move their family to Pullman. Now after 14 years, he acknowledges that "moving to the Pullman area was the best decision they ever made, and would recommend it to anyone that wants a better way of life"!
Adina Bielenberg
Cameron Brinkman
Cam Brinkman is the owner of all three Subways in Pullman as well as the one in Colfax. He was born in Brookings, South Dakota and raised in Salem, Oregon. He has spent the last 22 years living on the Palouse including receiving his degree from the University of Idaho. He is actively involved with corporate board for the fraternity of Alpha Kappa Lambda, Subway FAFT board, Franchisee board of advisors, and now the Pullman Chamber of Commerce board. Cam’s wife JoReen is the office manager for Subway and actively involved in the community. They have two kids, Austin (7) and Isabelle (4).Carol Chipman
Carol Chipman is a co-owner of Chipman and Taylor Chevrolet. She was born and raised in Mountain Home, Idaho, and graduated from the University of Idaho. She has lived in Pullman since she and her husband purchased the Brown and Holter Chevy-Olds dealership in 1976. Carol has served on several community boards and committees, and is currently beginning her third term as a Director of the Chamber of Commerce Board. She loves the unique beauty of the rolling hills, and the progressive, vibrant environment present in Pullman due to the university. Carol sees the Chamber as vital for the health of Pullman, and is happy to contribute to it.
Doug Cox
Doug Cox graduated from WSU with a degree in Ag Business (’93). Doug is employed as a Vice President & Commercial Lender at Columbia Bank and has provided lending services in Pullman since 1999. Pullman activities include Kiwanis, Palouse Discovery Science Center board President, Pullman Civil Service Commission, Pullman Junior Miss Fundraising chairman & is a WSU student athlete mentor. His hobbies include hunting, scuba, snow & water skiing. Doug’s wife Amy works in the College of Education and together they have 2 kids, Hunter (12) and Reagan (9) attending LMS & Sunnyside Elementary.
Kyle Erdman ASWSU PRESIDENT
J. Thomas Handy Jr.
J. Thomas Handy Jr, is a Former President of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and owner of Paradise Creek Brewery, and Landmark Property Development. Born in Wisconsin, Tom has resided in Pullman for over 27 years. He appreciates the small town atmosphere with the mix of big city influences that Pullman offers. Tom says that Pullman is not just a great place to raise and educate children; it is also a friendly business community that has a can-do forward thinking city administration. This is his eighth year on the board, and Tom says that the chamber gives him an opportunity to be active in an organization that truly makes a positive impact on the prosperity of Pullman and the surrounding area.
Colleen Harrington
Colleen Harrington is an attorney and partner in the law firm of Irwin, Myklebust, Savage and Brown, P.S., where she specializes in civil litigation. She attended Washington State University for her undergraduate degree and following graduation, managed the Fairco gas station on Grand Avenue for several years. Colleen moved to the Bay Area and attended the University of San Francisco Law School and graduated in 1986. Following graduation, she and her husband moved back to Pullman. Since her return, Colleen has been very active in the Pullman Community; she has had two six year terms with the United Way of Pullman Board of Directors, serving as campaign chair and board president. Colleen has also served as the president of the Whitman County Humane Society and she is a past president of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce.
Charlene Jasper
Charlene Jasper owns Daily Grind Espresso, LLC and Licks Unlimited and is currently serving her fourth term as a Pullman Chamber of Commerce Board of Director member. She is originally from Walla Walla, and has lived in Pullman for 28 years. Charlene appreciates the small town community spirit and the opportunities that Pullman offers her to get involved. Being a member of the business community requires an obligation on her part, she says, to give back to the community. Being on the Board of Directors allows Charlene to contribute to the experiences that both the business community and residents in Pullman enjoy.
Glenn Johnson
Former President Glenn Johnson is the Mayor of Pullman and a Professor in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at WSU. One of his other jobs is serving as the “Voice of the Cougars”. Glenn is in his 33rd year as the public address announcer for all WSU football and men’s basketball games. He is also a past Chamber President. Glenn serves on the executive team, as a former president, and on the board of the Association of Washington Cities. AWC is an organization that represents all 281 cities in Washington. He is also chair of the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport Board of Directors; on the board of Municipal Research and Service Center, Seattle; the Community Action Center for Whitman County; and Washington State Association of Broadcasters. He volunteers on a number of chamber committees—Fourth of July (chair); Artesians; Government Affairs; and volunteers with Lentil festival and Cabaret.
Henry D. Johnston
Henry Johnston is the Customer Relations Manager for Wysup Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Pullman. As an area resident for nearly 10 years, Henry has been affiliated, one way or another, with the Pullman Chamber of Commerce since 2005 and has worked in Pullman since 2008 when he was hired as general manager of RadioShack on Bishop Boulevard, a position he held until joining the Wysup team in 2010. Henry lives in Moscow with his partner of seven years, Alex Irwin who also works in Pullman at SEL. Henry enjoys all the activities that the Palouse region has to offer and is humbled to be selected to serve on the Pullman Chamber board.
Paul Kimmell
Paul Kimmell currently serves as the Regional Business Manager for Avista Corporation. He was the former executive director of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce from 2001-2006 as well as serving three terms as a Latah County Commissioner. Kimmell has a BS in Geography/Urban Planning from Illinois State University and did graduate work in land management at the University of Idaho. He presently serves as chair of the Inland Northwest Partners, president of the Latah Economic Development Council, board member to the Inland Northwest Economic Alliance, Pullman United Way and past chair of the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee. Paul is married to Constance and has three grown children.
Allison Levenseller
Allison Levenseller is the Property Director of the Holiday Inn Express and Suites and is also a past Chamber President. She has lived in Pullman for 19 years, and is originally from Tacoma. Allison appreciates the very family oriented community that allows her and her husband to both have careers and stay close to home. Although her two children are now in college they loved growing up in Pullman and had fabulous experiences at our excellent schools. Allison enjoys being a board member as it gives her wonderful opportunities to share information and her ideas with others. Allison also serves on the United Way Board, Palouse Marketing Committee and the Lodging Tax Advisory Board.Chuck Morrow
Chuck Morrow is the current President of the Chamber Board. He and his wife Stacy have lived in the Palouse since June of 1994. He is currently the store manager of Crimson & Gray where he has worked since the opening of the store in August of 2004. Prior to that, Chuck worked at the Bookie on campus for ten years as the textbook department manager and later Book Division manager. Chuck feels that the Pullman Chamber of Commerce is the heart of the community and is excited to a part of the board of directors.
Theresa Myers
Former President Theresa Myers is the co-owner of Myers Auto Rebuild and Towing. She is from Kent, and has lived in Pullman for 33 years. Theresa loves the small town lifestyle in Pullman, and she adds that it is a great place to raise kids, due to the great schools. There is a variety of cultural and sporting events in the region, and she enjoys being so close to outdoor recreation opportunities and likes to watch the seasons change. As a member of Board of Directors, she finds it meaningful to help build a vital economic base for the citizens of Pullman, and to promote Pullman and the region as a great place to live and do business. Theresa says that it is important to educate people that Pullman has many great businesses and that they don’t need to go out of town to find what they need, as it is offered right here in town.
Marty Northcroft Marty Northcroft is the current Director of Marketing for WSU Athletics.
Tony Poston Tony Poston is the owner of College Hill Custom Threads, a custom apparel design company. Originally from Sandpoint, Idaho, Tony graduated from Washington State University in 2007 after earning a degree in Political Science/Pre-Law. During his time as an undergrad, Tony was active in ASWSU, The Inter-fraternity Council and The Student Entertainment board and fell in love with WSU and the City of Pullman and hoped to return in the future. The opportunity finally presented itself in 2011, when he and two others founded College Hill Custom Threads near campus. Tony believes that the Chamber of Commerce can help show that Pullman is not only a great college town but the perfect place to raise a family and start a business. By helping coordinate fun and exciting events he wants to help bridge the gap between local businesses and WSU students, showing that both can work together to benefit from each other.
Bobbie Ryder
Bobbie Ryder is the Senior Campus Planner for Washington State University. As a Landscape Architect and Planner, she works with major and minor capital projects, campus master plans, and environmental review. She is Co-chair of the recently established WSU Arboretum & Wildlife Conservation Center, the WSU Land Use Committee, and provides staff support to several University Committees (Historic Preservation, Campus Arts, Campus Landscape, Campus Master Planning). Bobbie is also a board member of the Pullman Civic Trust and the College Hill Association. She was raised in a Navy military family and moved from one coast to the other growing up. She and her husband, Karl Johanson, have lived on the Palouse for 34 years and raised four children in the exceptional Pullman Public School system. Bobbie believes that the heart of economic development starts with creating an atmosphere where people want to be. People want a vibrant downtown, attractive and affordable housing, good schools, access to medical care, a safe community, cultural events, grocery stores and shopping, and good employment opportunities; all qualities readily found it Pullman.
Gary Schell
Past Chamber President Gary Schell is a Broker with Beasley Realty, co-owner of Evergreen Storage and GDS Properties and takes pride in promoting Pullman as a great place to live and do business. Gary appreciates the friendly people in Pullman and the uniqueness of living in a small community combined with the advantages of a large University. Gary finds his position on the Board of Directors to be meaningful since he enjoys being involved in the community and helping out whenever possible. He is also involved in Rotary, Pullman Hospital Foundation, Church activities, Fraternity advising and of course watching Cougar sports events. Gary and his wife Sue, an elementary teacher, find Pullman a great place to live, work, and do business while raising their family.
Paul Sturm
Paul Sturm is the superintendent of the Pullman School District and has been a member of the chamber since moving to Pullman in 2002. He is a current member and past chair of the Artesians and continues to be involved with the Government Affairs committee. Paul and his wife, Nadine, love Pullman and Eastern Washington with its diverse climate and environments, along with the array of outdoor activities, and arts, entertainment, and athletic events. Both of them believe that the Palouse is a premium place to live and work.Being a member of the Chamber and the Chamber Board is a way to learn about the perspective of the business community. Paul views the School District’s role in providing learning opportunities for students and families to be a vital element of the quality of life and for the economic development of the area. Membership in the Chamber and on the Board is a satisfying way to give back to the community for its generous commitment to its schools and other city and county service to families.
Joan Swensen Joan Swensen is a native of The Palouse where she was raised on a farm between Moscow and Genesee. Her 20's were spent in the
Bay Area (California) then back to Moscow and except for four years in Pennsylvania as a private chef, she has been doing restaurants since '81, starting with the Main Street Deli. Joan has been at Swilly's as Exec. Chef since '95 and purchased the restaurant in 2003. She recently served on the board of the UofI Prichard Art Gallery. When not playing restaurant, Joan can be found riding her blind dressage horse, painting and collecting art, collecting wine for her private cellar, tending her perennial and vegetable garden, throwing dinner parties for friends, and hanging out with her dog Kisha, Tigger, Winnie and Fritz, her feline roommates. Joan really enjoys serving on the board of the Pullman Chamber with some of her favorite customers and friends!
Mike Waite
Mike Waite is a past president of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, and is a Financial Representative for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. He is from Weiser, Idaho and has lived in the Palouse Region for over 20 years. Mike enjoys the small town hospitality of Pullman, with the amenities typically found only in larger cities. He finds that being a member of the Board of Directors is meaningful because it gives him the opportunity to be proactive in the community, and to promote Pullman as a great place to live and do business.
Susan Weed
Former Chamber President Susan Weed (1996-97) is co-owner and Office Manager for NewsTalk1150 KQQQ-AM and HitRadio104.3 KHTR radio stations. She is a long term member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, and also serves as a Member of the Pullman School District Board of Directors, as well as on the Pullman Civil Service Commission, The Pullman Regional Hospital Auxililary, The Whitman County Commision on Salaries for Elected Officials. She was born and raised in Seattle. Susan and her husband Bill have owned and operated Pullman's radio stations for the past 37 years. Susan says that Pullman has been a wonderful place to raise their 3 kids, and she loves going to businesses and knowing that she can trust the person behind the counter. She believes that if you care deeply about something, like she does about our community, then it is important be get involved. Being a Board member gives Susan the satisfaction of knowing that she is helping to make Pullman a better place to live, work and do business!
Pat Wright
Former President Pat Wright is another long term member of the Board of Directors, and, another former Chamber President. Since her retirement as General Manager of The Bookie, Pat has remained active in the Pullman community. She enjoys working part-time at Neill's Flowers and Gifts and on the Pullman City Council. In addition to being a Chamber of Commerce Board member, Pat is Past President and Membership Chair of Pullman Regional Hospital Auxiliary and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Pullman Education Foundation. Pat has lived in Pullman since 1975. She is originally from New York, and moved to California before residing in Pullman. She says that Pullman is a wonderful, safe place to raise a family, to enjoy the many amenities offered through the university and to appreciate the closeness and warmth of a small community in terms of living, working, and doing business. By being a Board member, Pat says that she has the opportunity to promote Pullman and all that it offers, and is a way for her to develop strong business relationships that provide a gateway to participate in different projects and activities that truly make a difference in the community.
Mike Yates
Mike Yates is a past president, and is the President of Very Cool Spaces, LLC, a Pullman-based Business and Property Development Company. Primarily focused on the redevelopment and adaptive re-use of the downtown core, Mike is the co-founder and business consultant of several companies and mixed-use developments in the Pullman area, including; BellTower Concert House & Event Venue, Market Square Lofts & Retail, Combine Mall Building and Prune Orchard-Details for Living/Gift Store. Originally from Seattle and while still working in the Technology Industry, Mike and his wife Debbie made a “lifestyle-decision” to move their family to Pullman. Now after 14 years, he acknowledges that "moving to the Pullman area was the best decision they ever made, and would recommend it to anyone that wants a better way of life"!