Community Advisory Committee - Packwood Subarea Area Plan Member Biographies Updated January 2, 2022 - Lewis County
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Packwood Subarea Area Plan
Community Advisory Committee
Member Biographies
Updated January 2, 2022Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Julie Anderson , Realtor, Part Time Packwood Resident I have been a Realtor since 2009. I became a Managing Broker in 2019. Prior to that I have worked in the Construction Industry, Customer Service, Retail and Restraunts. I sell Homes mainly in the Puget Sound area, as well as Packwood. I have been coming to Packwood since the Mid 80’s . Some friends had a cabin on Alpine and we would visit often. It was always our dream to build in Packwood. In 2005 My husband and I purchased some vacant land in the Goat Rocks neighborhood and built a 10x12 “Shabin” Our plan was to build in the next few years but that got derailed when the Market crashed in 2008. With both of us working in the construction industry at the time.. We just could not afford to build. Our daughter joined kids clinic at White pass in 2008, and then the Race team in 2012 and we spent our weekends at our “Shabin” for 10 years.. and made so many amazing memories and friends. Our cabin was built in 2016 and since then we spend about 50% of our time in Packwood. We plan on retiring here in the next 10 years. I have been lucky enough to sell Real Estate here. I am familiar with the area spending so much time in Packwood. It is our 2nd Home. We enjoy everything this town has to offer. We have watched it change and grow over the years and I am glad to be a part of helping find the right balance for everyone. Affordability in Housing is a huge priority for me along with keeping the small mountain town feel, keeping local businesses in business and maintaining the lands around us. John Anderson ( Alternate for Julie Anderson ) Currently Employed with the DOD in the Bremerton Ship Yard Packwood is John’s Happy Place. He would retire here now if he could. He loves the quiet that Packwood brings us. The small town feel and the outdoor opportunities. We Love this town as it is. Updated January 02, 2022 1
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Amy Besunder Amy Besunder is an experienced philanthropy and communications professional. She started her career at the Washington Community Reinvestment Association over twenty years ago and was immediately bit by the affordable housing and community development bug. She has served in leadership roles at Phinney Neighborhood Association, Compass Housing Alliance, North Helpline Food Bank and Emergency Service Center and the Family & Adult Service Center and is currently the Director of Development & Communications for Bellwether Housing. Amy holds an executive master of not-for- profit leadership from Seattle University and serves on the board of directors for the Packwood Trail Project and is an active member of the Gifford Pinchot Trash Force. Amy co-founded and ran an award- winning microbrewery in Seattle for eight years with her husband Peter. Amy and Peter purchased their home in High Valley in 2008 after many years of visiting Packwood for hiking, fishing and skiing adventures. They became fulltime residents in 2019 and are in the process of opening Longmire Springs Brewing, a production brewery and taproom located in the Packwood Industrial Park. Updated January 02, 2022 2
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Ben Boylan, owner of F&G Building Group, and Packwood Resident I’m a PNW native, with over 20 years of experience in the construction industry and have personally been involved with over 2000 home builds, and 20+ new community developments. I started my career working for DR Horton in North King County and South Snohomish County. During my time there I worked on Multi Family projects as well as special projects for community closeout of parks and infrastructure. After DR Horton, I spent some time contracting in the middle east for the Government, and when I cam back took a position with a builder based in Pierce County and oversaw new community development and home development from Thurston County up to Snohomish County. After spending 15 years working for large corporations my wife and I decided to take a break and took a construction consulting position in Hawaii for a developer that was working on affordable housing for the local community. After the end of my contract, we moved back up to the PNW and picked Packwood as the place to raise our two sons. We have been here now for over 2 years, and have become involved with the PIC, and LCORT, as well as several small groups in the community. Updated January 02, 2022 3
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Mindy Brooks, Senior Long Range Planner and Packwood Resident I have been a land use planner for the past 22 years. I worked for the City of Portland, Environmental Services and then for Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. I’ve completed five long range comprehensive plans including full zoning code updates for the Portland International Airport and surrounding industrial land, as well as the Central City, which is Portland’s downtown. I have also worked in the Portland Harbor Superfund area to update regulations related to clean up actions. My area of experience is natural resource management and my last project with Portland was to update environmental protection zoning for the city as a whole, which impacted over 17,000 residents. The entire time I worked for the City of Portland my husband, daughter and I actually lived in Battle Ground, Washington on a small farm. We raised sheep, chickens, turkeys and pigs. In 2012, my family came to Packwood for the 4th of July weekend and fell in love with the town and recreational opportunities. We are hikers, skiers and hunters. We were lucky enough to find property on Riverdance Lane and build a vacation home. In June 2020, with the ability to work from home and my daughter having graduated high school, we moved permanently to Packwood. In August 2021, I was hired by Lewis County to lead long range planning. My projects include the Packwood Subarea Plan, working with cities to manage urban growth areas and updating the county’s Comprehensive Plan. I am also on the team addressing affordable housing across Lewis County. Updated January 02, 2022 4
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Amber S. Brown, President of Friends of the Packwood Library I am the fourth generation of Brown's to live in the Packwood area, even though I am the last one still in the Valley. I was raised in the Randle/Packwood area and graduated from both White Pass (2004) and Centralia College East (2006). I also graduated from CWU (2010) with a BA double majoring in History and Philosophy with a specialization in Religious Studies; and from Florida Institute of Technology (2014) with an MBA specializing in Internet Marketing. I feel like this is where the roots of my family and my husbands family are and I would like to keep living here and continuing the tradition of being from Packwood. I am currently working to get my Real Estate License back. I take the exam on December 21st. Since May I have been at home taking care of my elderly grandfather. In the past I have worked as a Manager, Head Laundry and Housekeeper at Nisqually Lodge, Crest Trail Lodge, and Cowlitz River Lodge. Also I worked for a grand total of 7 years doing a variety of positions at Blanton's IGA. Real Estate and Property Management was something I did between 2015 and 2019. I am the President of the Friends of the Packwood Library (formerly the secretary) and I am a member of the Packwood Improvement Club (PIC). I have also been attending the Packwood Business Owner's Committee (PBOC) and sitting in on the Lewis County Planning Commission meetings and sometimes I can sit in on the Timberland Regional Library Board Meetings. Updated January 02, 2022 5
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Karl Coleman and Amy Coleman (alternate) Karl is a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest and Amy is a Chicagoland transplant. We’ve been married for 14 years and started coming to Packwood in 2006 to autocross at the Hampton Mill site. We rented cabins for our weekend stays and fell in love with the area. It didn’t take long for us to decide to purchase land of our own off Snyder Road. Soon thereafter we began building a cabin and shop. With professions that allow us to work remotely, Amy and I (along with our two cats) split our time between our homes in Renton and Packwood. We love a good challenge and are very handy so we bought the old Ma and Pa Graff’s/Rucker’s commercial building in downtown Packwood and rehabilitated it into an open retail space. Avid outdoor enthusiasts, we enjoy hiking, dirt biking and snowmobiling all around the surrounding area. We recently joined the Packwood Improvement Club and attend the monthly Packwood Business Owner’s Committee meetings. I look forward to working with others to formulate a roadmap for Packwood’s future. Updated January 02, 2022 6
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Nick Deonigi My name is Nick and I grew up in a rural part of King County out near Black Diamond, WA. We purchased land in Packwood back in the spring of 2019 and built a small cabin that we also use as a short-term rental. I grew up fishing, hunting, camping and hiking all over the PNW. The great outdoors has always been a huge part of my life so I love the proximity to all the incredible recreation within a stone’s throw of Packwood. I was previously a restaurant manager and gigging musician before the pandemic forced a career change and I now work full time as a real estate agent. We visit our cabin at least once a month, participate in our HOA meetings and events, and communicate with our wonderful neighbors on a regular basis. Updated January 02, 2022 7
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Andrea Durham, Natural Resources Specialist (Recreation) and Packwood Resident I have a combined 20 years of federal service. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador in the Natural Resources Program, where I served in a small Andean indigenous community for 3 years working with the women and youth groups. I have worked for the US Forest Service for 17 years. I started as a Forester on the Ottawa National Forest and, 5 years later, moved into my current position as a Recreation Planner and Wilderness & Trails Manager on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. I am a certified wildland firefighter, natural Resource Advisor, and Forest Protection Officer. I have worked with non-profits, both State and Federal agencies, and have 15 years of grant-writing experience. I have also been on numerous inter-disciplinary teams to complete environmental analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act for a variety of natural resource management projects. I was hired to work on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District in Randle in 2009. I met my husband there, who has lived, played, and worked in Packwood since 1984. He is currently the Nordic Director at White Pass Ski Area. I was fortunate to land a job in the Valley and find a home in Packwood. My husband and I are outdoor enthusiasts. We care deeply about the public lands surrounding our little town and understand our awesome responsibility to steward the land while serving the public in our respective roles as local recreation program managers. We look forward to giving back to the community. (alternate) Richard Brooks, Nordic Director at White Pass Ski Area and Packwood Resident I have been a trail crew member for the US Forest Service and an employee of White Pass Ski Area for 37 years. I moved to Packwood in 1984 and was hired onto the Forest Service trail maintenance crew for the summer season and as a cook at White Pass Ski Area for the winter. I spent the next 36 seasons building and maintaining trails on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. I partnered with a variety of non- profits and volunteers on trail projects. I was also a certified wildland firefighter, motorcycle instructor, and Hazard Tree Inspector. I am an advanced Sawyer and Chainsaw/Crosscut Saw Instructor. I worked my way through various positions at White Pass including the rental shop, liftee, and onto the Nordic Center where I groomed trails, taught lessons, and sold passes out of the back of a truck. Since then, the Nordic Center has grown, and I became the Nordic Director in 2008. I left the Forest Service in 2021 to begin implementation of our 10 kilometer expansion of Nordic ski trails at White Pass. My wife and I love to play outside, spend quiet time landscaping our yard, and we look forward to giving back to our little town. Updated January 02, 2022 8
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Theresa Dusek, Natural Resource Consultant and Full-Time Packwood Resident I am a full-time resident for 9 years in Packwood and have had property here for about 35 years. In 2007, my husband and I purchase 2 lots from my parents and in 2017 build a multigenerational home for my husband and I, my parents, and my adult granddaughter (who was raised here as a teen and attended White Pass High School). We lived in a long-term rental in Packwood for 5 years while designing and building our home. I spent my vacations as a child in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. I have a geology background and in my young adult years drove every road in the forest and national park looking at the diverse geology (rocks, minerals and fossils) and natural resources (wetlands, wildlife, forests, plant communities, rivers, streams and lakes). My family has hunted, fished, skied, hiked and mountain climbed in this area since I was a toddler. My family values the small-town aesthetic, lifestyle and recreation opportunities in Packwood. I have an extensive background in planning, permitting, wetlands, streams, floodplains, wildlife, and federal, state and local regulations pertaining to these areas of expertise. I am a past city of Tacoma planning commissioner and worked in the city of Tacoma planning department prior to being a commissioner. I currently have my own business completing peer review of critical area and shoreline permits for the city of Kent since 2012 and assisting property owners in the I-5 corridor and eastern Washington with projects in my areas of expertise. I have volunteered my services to several local property owners in the last year with wetland and shoreline issues. I have an excellent technical background and community knowledge. I am aware of the FEMA map revision study and process, the funding for the Packwood sewage treatment plant, and the potential for growth management planning in the Packwood region. Updated January 02, 2022 9
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Andrea Erickson, Packwood homeowner I have my Masters in Speech Language Pathology (SLP) that has allowed me, as an SLP, to work in a variety of settings and with diverse populations. During the last 14 years my career has led me to work in Early Support for Infants and Toddlers as a provider in King County. During this time, I have been a part of and managed different teams (e.g., NICU babies and families, feeding team, and Families In Transition [families that are currently experiencing, are at risk of, or have experienced homelessness]) and developed programs within our organization. My role has changed over the last 5 years to now develop training modules, maintain these modules, and train/onboard all new hires across three of our campuses. I am also one of the employees that ensures the program manual for our company is up to date with the most recent processes and organization changes. Aside from my “day job” I am also a mom of two young children (ages 5 and 7), manage our Airbnb, manage a long-term rental (one inside and one outside of the Packwood area) and run our small family side business of machining and fabricating. I grew up in Hoquiam, another small town that has been greatly impacted by a changing economy and have witnessed the many struggles this can have on a community. Aside from traveling through Packwood often as a child to head to family that lives in Yakima, I began to truly experience Packwood and the beauty of it when I began snow skiing just after high school in 1999. My family became frequent skiers of the mountain in 2007 and my parents were able to purchase a home in Packwood in 2010. Since this time, we have been consistent weekend and summer community members. In 2018 my husband and I purchased a cabin next to my parents that we use personally and as an Airbnb. Since then, we have also bought some land in the area. We are a family that loves being in the outdoors all year long. Updated January 02, 2022 10
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Teresa Fenn, Retired Fulltime Packwood Resident (Snyder Area) I was employed in the Nuclear Industry for nearly 20 years beginning in Denver, Colorado at the Rocky Flats Site and ending at the Hanford Site in Richland, Washington. I worked as a Project Engineer in the area of hazardous and nuclear material transportation. I am a very detail oriented person with specific skills in planning, budgeting and organization. My family and I are involved in skiing, snowboarding, hiking, backpacking, climbing, cycling and fishing. We purchased a Packwood vacation home in 2013 to have a place to stay when we came to ski. My son moved into our vacation home fulltime in 2016 and began working at the ski area. We were given the opportunity to purchase the home next door the same year and my son and grandson moved into that home in 2017 when I moved to Packwood fulltime. My son is employed by one of Packwood’s local businesses and my grandson attends White Pass High School so I am keenly aware of Packwood’s employment issues as well as the problems facing the school district. I grew up in Boulder, Colorado and have watched for decades the negative impact on communities when the demand for housing out paces availability; when unplanned and unprepared for growth and popularity completely changes a community. Updated January 02, 2022 11
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Hanna Jeter, White Pass Ski Area Employee, GISS for IMT13, Lifelong Packwood Resident I have worked at White Pass Ski area since 2013 and recently joined an Incident Management Team (IMT) for Wildland fire where I work with private equipment contractors and create incident maps. Prior to joining the team I worked for Mount Rainier National Park from 2008-2020. I was born in Packwood in 1990 and have lived here on and off since. When not residing in Packwood, I lived in Bellingham and Portland in order to pursue a Bachelors Degree in Geography and a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). My decision to remain in Packwood has not been an accident. I am an outdoor enthusiast and am happiest when snowboarding or mountain biking. Living in Packwood has allowed me to pursue these passions and has fueled my interest in growing recreation opportunities in the area. However, I often wonder if I am going to be forced to live elsewhere if I am ever to own property. As a long term renter, I find the housing to market to be one of the most frustrating parts of living here. I am hopeful that there are solutions out there for folks like me who love the area but seem destined to be renters forever. Updated January 02, 2022 12
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Maree Lerchen – downtown Packwood resident – semi-retired - widow Born and raised in Southern California, I moved to the Northwest in the late 60’s. I earned a BA in Economics at the University of Washington in 1980. I have three stepdaughters and a grandson. We started skiing at White Pass in 1976 and purchased our first cabin in Packwood in 1978. We moved here permanently in 1981 to the old Craig homestead. I owned and operated a country inn and vacation rentals for 25 years. I’ve owned a real estate firm for the last 16 years. I enjoy gardening, reading, bridge, puzzles and collecting wine. I ‘ve been an active Packwood advocate for 30 years working on maintaining our way of life and trying to manage the inevitable growth. My volunteer activity has included Chair of the Resource Advisory Committee for the USFS., Chair of the White Pass Scenic Byway, member of the LTAC, founder of Destination Packwood and Unit leader for the Lewis County League of Women Voters. Updated January 02, 2022 13
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Stefan Lofgren I grew up in Montesano, WA and skied at White Pass throughout my youth in the 70’s and 80’s. Our youth group often stayed at the Presbyterian Church on summer and winter camps and outings. I have been working at Mount Rainier National Park since 1992. I started basing my life out of Packwood when I began working as a ranger at Ohanapecosh. I am a airplane pilot, owned an plane for 15 years, and kept it at the Packwood airport. I am the current manager of the Mount Rainier climbing ranger program where I am substantially involved with the park’s search and rescue operations. My wife, daughter, and I have been living year round in Packwood since 2008. In 2017, I was a founding member of the Packwood Trail Project, a local non-profit with the objective of building a trail network in the area immediately surrounding Packwood. I have also been involved in other community efforts to plan for Packwood’s future. I’m so pleased that we have actually been able to make a life in Packwood and am proud that my daughter can say that she grew up here! It’s truly a unique mountain town with so much opportunity nearby. It feels like it is a point where it’s going to transition to its next phase and I’d like to have a say in how that plays out. Updated January 02, 2022 14
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Rob Maricle Born and raised in Whatcom County Washington. Attended Mt. Baker High School and afterwards, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Washington State University. After Graduation, began a career in the Technology sector at Intel Corporation in Oregon. This first career concluded after 32 years that saw multiple roles from individual contributor to Engineering manager. I switched careers and am currently helping people live the best life possible as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. I have served on the City Council in Fairview, Oregon and also served on multiple governing boards of non-profit organizations within the Oregon Swimming community. In addition, volunteered as a US Swim Official for many years. My wife Kim and I have raised three children; all of which are contributing members of society in the State of Oregon. We are the proud grandparents of three healthy grandchildren as well. We both grew up out in the country and have longed to return to the simple life outside of the metropolitan area of Portland. We purchased our first place in Packwood seven years ago and purchased our permanent home in 2019. We are excited to be part of a rural community once again (“return to our roots” as it were) where a handshake and a smile are commonplace. Updated January 02, 2022 15
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Carole McIntyre Bio I came to Packwood to 2016. We bought a vacation cabin in High Valley and have since purchased two more lots. We love the small town feel and natural beauty. We come from University Place. My Husband stays part time in Tacoma to manage our general contractor business. I manage our Home Cleaning business. I am currently on the Board for High Valley Country Club and a member of Packwood Improvement Center. Updated January 02, 2022 16
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Fred Morton, Retired, Manage 3 STR's Taught math for 2yrs in public jr high. Started and closed small private school for 13 yrs. I was principal and taught 6th - 8th grades. Taught in private high school and was Athletic Director for 5 yrs. Purchased and ran two Subway Restaurants for 20yrs. Just sold them to my son before moving to Packwood. Purchased property in Packwood in 2006. Completed our Packwood retirement home in 2008. Used it as a rental until we moved there. Moved to Packwood full time in April of 2019. Love to read and serve family, friends, and the community. (alternate) Marilly Morton Wife, mother of 4 grown children, home schooled 2 of the 4, worked as a secretary for many years, church & school volunteer, hosted exchange students from Germany, Japan, Korea & Columbia, co-purchased Subway Sandwich shops in Portland, OR, worked in stores 2.5 yrs, retired, own/manage 3 STR though 1 of those is "technically" an extended-stay vacation rental (30 nights minimum/6 months maximum) in Packwood, WA. With my husband, Fred, "Purchased property in Packwood in 2006. Completed our Packwood retirement home in 2008. Used it as a rental until we moved there. Moved to Packwood full time in April of 2019." In 2006/2007 became a White Pass Scenic Byway Committee member for a number of years as they established state & national byway designation & developed way-finding signs until my mother's poor health and then my own. Besides being happily married to the love of my life, I have a passion for family, birds, nature, photography, dancing & travel. Visited: Nicaragua, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy and more. Updated January 02, 2022 17
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Eric Oien-Real Estate Developer My name is Eric Oien and I am a lifelong resident of Lewis County. I was born and raised in the Cinebar community where my family worked and thrived in the timber industry. I currently live in the Onalaska area with my wife and 3 children. I attended school in Onalaska, obtained a Bachelor’s degree from UW in Finance, and have been fortunate enough to develop a successful 20 year career in the timber industry involving many roles. Today my business partner and I (also a lifelong LC resident) own 1000+ acres of commercial forest land in Lewis County, several multifamily buildings, and have completed numerous land development projects. We have both a strong business and personal interest in seeing the small communities of LC thrive once again. Updated January 02, 2022 18
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Gina Owen I grew up in Minneapolis Minnesota. I received a Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry in 1979. I received a Master's degree in Public Health from Johns Hopkins in 1981. I worked as a Director for an Insurance Lobby for 5 years in Washington DC, and got my Master's in Business Administration from George Mason University in Northern Virginia in 1988. Following that, I returned to Minnesota and worked for the Mayo Clinic for over 30 years in Finance, and was the Director of Medical Supplies for over 20 years. This business managed over 13 medical supply stores for Mayo patients, and grew the revenue from $2 million annually to over $40 million annually. I retired in 2019, and joined my retired husband in Randle, where we had bought a property in 2016. David also worked at Mayo Clinic for 30 years as a Systems Analyst, and is a retired Epidemiologist. We love living here, and enjoy hiking every day in Packwood. I am in the process of investing in multiple businesses in Packwood. We have 3 grown children: James Owen who owns Raintree Nursery in Morton and is also investing in the Packwood businesses; Graham Owen who is a Medical Physicist in Charleston SC; and Bridget Owen, who is an Architect/Designer living in Milan Italy. Updated January 02, 2022 19
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Kim Pawlawski (member) My family moved from Olympia to Packwood in 2020. I am a full-time resident and live in the High Valley community with my husband and three children. In addition to homeschooling, I work part time as a land planner, so I help people navigate the regulatory system to obtain permits for residential and commercial structures and developments. I currently work for a surveying firm in Tumwater and have provided consulting services to engineering firms as well had my own consulting business for more than 14 years. Prior to working in the private sector, I worked for Thurston County as a current planner, where I reviewed and approved requests for land development. I also worked for Kitsap County as a long-range planner, where I reviewed zoning requests and assisted with revisions of regulations and policies, as well as development of sub-area plans. We are an active family that loves travelling, exploring, camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, snowshoeing, skiing and extreme sledding. We have owned property in Packwood for several years and fell in love with the community and recreational opportunities so much that we decided to move here permanently. I love Packwood because my family feels safe, and we love the small-town vibe where people are friendly, kind and helpful. Chris Merritt (alternate) My family moved from Olympia to Packwood in 2020. I am a full-time resident and live in the High Valley community with my wife and three elementary-aged children. I own Olympic Engineering, a civil engineering firm based out of Packwood. I have been a licensed professional engineer for more than 25 years and have worked on many residential and commercial projects in Lewis, Thurston, Mason, Pierce and Grays Harbor Counties. I specialize in drainage plans and design of infrastructure and associated improvements (road, sewer, water, stormwater, etc.) for single- family residences, residential subdivisions and commercial developments. I have professional relationships with countless contractors, surveyors, biologists, septic designers and installers, jurisdictions and agencies. I have been coming to Packwood since I was 5 years old when I learned to ski at White Pass. I grew up in the Centralia-Chehalis-Mossyrock areas and have recreated in East County for the past 40 years. I enjoy the endless recreational opportunities that are available in the Packwood area, regardless of the time of year. Updated January 02, 2022 20
Community Advisory Committee
Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies
E. Dennis Riebe
Architect
Packwood Resident
Our family discovered Packwood in 1986 and purchased our residence in 1988. We have been
active weekend residents until May of this year when my wife and I executed our long range
goal to retire here.
I have owned and operated my own Architectural Firm since 1989. Our firm’s primary expertise
has been the development of large-scale multi-family properties requiring expertise in land use
planning and the environmental aspects of development. I have also served on Architectural
Review Committees for large scale Master Planned Communities, shaping and defining the
identity of the communities.
I have been interested in being a contributing member of the community for many years. I was
on the High Valley Board of Trustees for a number of years. I have executed projects here in
Packwood as well as White Pass.
Packwood is experiencing an unprecedented growth and identity change. I am excited to
participate in helping to shape the community for the future.
Updated January 02, 2022 21Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Rye Ryan, Raintree Nursery & Future Packwood Business Owner My partner and I took over Raintree Nursery in Mortona over three years ago from a long-time Lewis County resident. We currently live in Randle and spend much of our time recreating in Packwood. We currently are in the process of acquiring a Packwood business and look forward to the opportunity to partner with the community in the development plan. I have a MA in sociology and have served on many community boards in Whatcom County, in Vancouver, BC, and in Honolulu, HI. My professional background has focused on small business development, local entrepreneurship, and community development. My partner and his family enjoy all of the incredible outdoor activities Packwood has to offer and the vibrant spirit of local makers and artists who call this area home. I am an avid trail runner, snowboarder, kayaker, mountaineer, and all around nature enthusiast. Updated January 02, 2022 22
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Bill Serrahn, Packwood Resident I grew up on a farm in rural America and after the Army, Vietnam, College, and living in Wisconsin, had moved to Seattle in 1982 for career opportunity. I loved living in Seattle when I was younger but small-town America was calling me back. I purchased a home in Packwood and moved here 15 years ago. I had considered other areas, but Packwood still had the feel of a real town, with real people, and not primarily a resort town. I had skied and camped in the area, so I knew a bit about Packwood. Also, real estate was less costly than areas like Leavenworth which I had also considered. Another consideration was, although I worked online in Packwood, I had to visit my office in Bellevue, had kept my home in Seattle, and travel was easier from Packwood. I came to town cold and did not know one person in Packwood. I frequented the Blue Spruce for happy hour and met many of the town residents there and even went to the Presbyterian church and met others there. I renewed my interest in motorcycles and snowmobiles and enjoyed recreating with others in the surrounding Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Within a year, I knew the wonderful backcountry surrounding Packwood quite well. I had a season pass to the White Pass Ski Area and would duck out of work and ski mornings whenever there was new powder on the mountain. At that time, during a weekday, there might only be one hundred people on the hill. I also had this wonderful 175 acre State Park property behind my house which I walked with my dogs daily and hardly ever saw another person there. I paid no attention and had no interest in Lewis County Government until the principal officers of the now defunct Destination Packwood Association (DPA), with the acquiescence of their Lewis County Commissioner friends, attempted to obtain a transfer of the Packwood State Parks Property (Skate Creek Park) to Lewis County with the objective of leasing it back. For several good reasons, many of us did not think this initiative was for the best future interest or use of the property and we organized to stop it. The proposition was scheduled to go before the State Parks Commission in May of 2019, and someone had “forgotten” to schedule a Packwood community meeting. After contacting the State Parks Commission, we did get our belated community meeting and the State Parks Commission then wisely struck the item from their meeting agenda. After that, I became interested in Lewis County government. I attended any meetings which affected Packwood. I got to know the Lewis County Commissioners, our County Manager, and others. I served for two years on the Lewis County Citizen’s Budget Committee where I learned a great deal about Lewis County Government. I became interested and attended meetings on other Packwood issues including the East Lewis County Public Development Authority (ELCPDA) which holds title to the Packwood Business Park and vacant Ammo Manufacturing Building. Updated January 02, 2022 23
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies I have continued advocating for saving Skate Creek Park as a natural area for current and future generations of humans and wildlife. I have striven to develop awareness of this tremendous natural asset which we have in the midst of our community. I have advocated with both State Parks and Lewis County for the preservation of our park which has become one of the most visited and valued natural attractions in the immediate Packwood Area. Towards this effort, we have created Friends of Skate Creek Park, a 501c3 non-profit. Our primary mission is to advocate for Skate Creek Park but also to support titleholders of undeveloped open space and green space throughout Lewis County. We are also involved in the Gifford Pinchot Trash Force. Although I am interested in all issues affecting Packwood in the coming years, my primary interest is that future residents and visitors still have a great natural park to walk or bike with their family and enjoy Skate Creek, the Cowlitz River, the forest, and the wildlife. We have many other issues facing our community in this time of rapid change, but we do not want to forget the value of parks and natural areas to community and family well being and quality of life. Updated January 02, 2022 24
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Jill Fuerstneau Sousa, Architect, Tacoma, Wa I have been working as a residential architect since the late 1980’s; for a while in Seattle and for the last 20+ years on my own in Tacoma. In Seattle I worked with a firm that did residential architecture- many historic restoration/adaptation projects- and environmental planning. I have always had an interest in older homes, timberframe buildings and sustainable building practices. In Tacoma, as a residential architect, I work mostly for private clients, both remodels and new homes, throughout the state. I have designed homes and small townhome projects for Habitat for Humanity, Tacoma-Pierce County for many years and have recently been working with a local non-profit on a group home and transitional housing for young adults leaving the foster system. I also recently have designed some detached ADUs for the City of Renton, with a couple of stylist versions of each unit, which the city has pre-approved and are providing free to their residents to build on their properties. I have designed many of ADUs in Tacoma as they have now permitted them in the city. My husband and I have owned property in Packwood for 16 years which we co-own with a group of friends. We all come up to enjoy each other and play in the mountains. I love cross country skiing and hiking and get in a little biking as well. We purchased our place when our children were young and had many years of recreating with them. My sons are now living in mountain towns in Colorado and Montana, trying to figure out how to find places to live in them and work. Updated January 02, 2022 25
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Ryan Southard, Owner and Operator, Little Owl Cabin My wife Val and I have been visiting Packwood since 2015, since we bought our first vacation home in Upper Timberline. We've since purchased additional properties in Packwood, and we moved here full-time in early 2020. Prior to moving to Packwood, I was a public policy consultant and program manager in New York City and Seattle, where I designed and managed programs focused on promoting energy conservation, renewable energy, affordable housing, small business assistance and disaster relief, for state and local governments, housing agencies and utilities. (alternate) Valerie Neng, Owner and Operator, Little Owl Cabin My husband Ryan and I own and operate Little Owl Cabin. We work and live full time in Packwood. I enjoy all the outdoorsy things to do here, the beautiful natural scenery and getting to know all the local talent (yogis, florists, farmers, artists, craftspeople, entrepreneurs, etc) that make up our community. In a previous life, I worked in affordable housing finance and operations for 17 years. For the City of New York, I worked with private developers to finance new construction housing. For a community-based nonprofit developer in New York, I built new workforce and family housing. Most recently in Seattle, I oversaw a portfolio of 300 affordable apartments in a property management and asset management capacity. Updated January 02, 2022 26
Community Advisory Committee Packwood Subarea Plan Biographies Ted Wood I have been coming to Packwood for as long as I have lived in this state (since 1989), to ski at White Pass, to backpack in the Goat Rocks, to visit our state’s two tallest mountains (Rainier and Adams), and any number of other exciting outdoor activities that this area has to offer. About twelve years ago my wife and I bought a small piece of land and had a home built on it, which makes us Packwood residents now. It’s a vacation home for us, but we are here a lot. We enjoy being a part of the Packwood community and make it a point to participate in local activities and visit local businesses. We are concerned about the direction in which the town is moving. So many of the new people have no interest in preserving the natural beauty of this area, and the outside money is causing the town to be something that is accessible to the well-to-do tourist, but not the people who work and play here. When not enjoying the recreational opportunities in the Packwood area, I work as a professor of Chemistry at Pierce College in Lakewood, a position I’ve held for many years. My primary home is in Olympia. Updated January 02, 2022 27
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