CommissionersCommissioners guide the direction, set policy for the Commission, and advise the Governor and Legislators on the state of the arts in Washington. There are 23 positions, including four legislators and 19 members appointed by the Governor.
Jean Mandeberg, Olympia, Commission Chair Jean is a member of the faculty at the Evergreen State College in Olympia and a nationally renowned artist. Jean served as a Commissioner for the Olympia Arts Commission from 1996 – 2002, including a year as Chairperson, and two years Chair of the Art in Public Places Committee. As an artist, lecturer or juror, she has participated with Artist Trust, the Olympia Arts Commission, Island Arts Council, Central Washington University, WSAC’s Art in Public Places program and numerous others. She has an MFA from Idaho State University and a BA from the University of Michigan. Jean’s work as a metalsmith is a permanent part of both state and private collections, and has appeared in numerous publications including, Metalsmith Magazine and American Craft Magazine. (Appointed March 2004 through July 2006; reappointed through July 2009)
Leann Johnson, Vancouver, First Vice Chair Leann is Director for Equity and Diversity at Clark College in Southwest Washington. Formerly the Manager of the Arts and Cultural program for the City of Vancouver, Leann stays active in the arts through theater, poetry, and drumming. Leann’s special recognitions include the Val Joshua Racial Justice Award, 1998 Woman of Achievement, Rising Star from the Columbian Newspaper and Paul Harris Fellow in the Rotary International. She earned her BS in Communications Management at the University of Portland and has earned several credits in her Masters of Public Administration at UW. (Appointed August 2004 through July 2008)
Steve Sneed, Seattle, Second Vice Chair Steve is the Manager of Programming for Seattle Center Productions and an actor, musician, theatre director and producer. He has been Director of the Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center, and Program Director at the Madrona Community Center in Seattle. Steve has worked on various panels and advisory councils including the Arts Education Committee with the King County Arts Commission, and the Seattle Arts Commission Community Traditional Arts Panel. In 2000 Steve received the Unsung Hero Award from the Corporate Council of the Arts (now ArtsFund). (Appointed March 2004 through July 2008)
Monte Bridges, Renton A champion of effective governance, social justice, and quality education for all students, Dr. Bridges’ career includes over 25 years in classroom, support service, and administrative positions in Washington State. He has served in his current position since August 2000. Dr. Bridges earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Washington. He holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Seattle University and one in Speech Pathology and Audiology from UW. He earned a BA in Communication Disorders at UW. Dr. Bridges is active in civic affairs in the Puget Sound region, Washington State, and nationally. He has leadership roles or serves on boards for several organizations including KCTS Television, King County United Way, Washington Dollars for Scholars, the Washington Association of School Administrators, and Scholarship America. (Appointed March 2004 through July 2007; reappointed to July 2010)
David Brown, Seattle D. David Brown joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as Executive Director in May of 2000. Mr. Brown’s career as a dancer began in the corps of Boston Ballet more than 30 years ago. He quickly moved through the ranks to become principal. In 1981 he retired from active performing and became Director of Production. He then served as General Manager from 1983-1998, and was Executive Director until June 1999, when he left to pursue arts consulting. David has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dance/USA, the national service organization for professional dance and is a current and past chair of the Dance/USA Manager’s Council. He is a Trustee of the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Retirement Plan & Health Fund and is a board member of the Washington State Arts Alliance. (Appointed July 2007 through July 2010)
Chris Bruce, Pullman Chris is the Director of the Museum of Art at Washington State University, and a member of numerous arts committees and consortia. Chris has a decades-long history of involvement with the arts in Washington State in both academic and commercial settings. He was previously Director of Curatorial and Collections at the Experience Music Project, Director of Meyerson & Nowinski Gallery in Seattle, and Senior Curator at the Henry Art Gallery. He has an MA in Art from San Jose State University and a BA in English from San Diego State University. (Appointed March 2004 through July 2008)
Kent Carlson, Seattle Kent is a partner in the Preston Gates Ellis law firm. He practices corporate law in Seattle, focusing on mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, financings and complex strategic relationships. He earned his B.A. and J.D. from the University of Washington, and his LL.M. from Harvard University. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and in Washington Law & Politics Super Lawyers. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of the Washington Research Foundation, and the Boards of Trustees of Cornish College of the Arts and Pilchuck Glass School. He has a son on the art faculty at Seattle University and another working as an art director in the film industry in Los Angeles. Before joining Preston, Kent was an assistant professor of law at George Washington University Law School. (Appointed September 2006 through July 2009)
Cindy Hill Finnie, Port Townsend Cindy is co-owner and member of the board of directors for Rainshadow Properties, Inc. Finnie has over thirty years with Allstate Insurance in the Life, Property and Casualty Insurance Industry, where she specializes in management and motivation of field sales and staff. In her time with Allstate, she has served as NW Region Market District Leader, Territory Education Manager, Agency Manager, Sales and Development Manager as well as Sales and Underwriting Manager. She has served on Centrum Foundation’s Board of Directors since 1998, including five years as president. She also served as President of Marin County Association of Life Underwriters from 1989-1990, and on California Association of Life Underwriter Education Committee from 1993-1996. (Appointed August 2005 through July 2007; reappointed through July 2010)
Maureen Greeley, Olympia Greeley is the Owner/Director of Greeley and Associates, a public relations and communication firm in Olympia. She served as Executive Director for Wolf Haven International from 1993-1998 and as Chair of Arts and Cultures Challenge Day 2005 for Leadership Thurston County. From 1980-1981, Maureen was Kansas City Art Institute’s Assistant Director of Public Relations. She has received numerous awards for administration and communications. (Appointed August 2005 through July 2008)
Sen. Jim Honeyford, Sunnyside Senator Honeyford represents the 15th District, which includes Klickitat and Skamania counties, and part of Yakima and Clark counties. He has served in the Senate since 1998, and in the House of Representatives from 1995-1998. He is the ranking Republican on the Senate Water, Energy and Telecommunications Committee and the Senate Consumer Protection and Housing Committee. He also serves on the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Jim is a graduate of Central Washington University with a Masters degree in Education and was an educator for 28 years. He is a former member of the Sunnyside City Council, and was a police officer for five years. Jim and his wife, Jerri, have four grown children. They farm north of Sunnyside. (Appointed June 2007)
Kate Jones, Winthrop Kate is the Executive Director of Methow Arts Alliance, where she has worked since 1999. A visual artist who taught for several years, she gets back into the studio occasionally as a guest artist at a summer fine art camp for youth she founded in 1993, which is currently housed in her old barn. She is on the boards of the Okanogan County Economic Alliance and Washington State Arts Alliance. She earned a BA from The Evergreen State College. (Appointed September 2006 through July 2007; reappointed through July 2010)
Rep. Lynn Kessler, Hoquiam Representative Kessler is serving her eighth term in the Washington State House, and her ninth year as Majority Leader. In addition to her leadership duties, she sits on the House Appropriations, Rules and Executive Rules Committees, and is the only state legislator elected to the board of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA). She has served on numerous committees and boards in her community, including ten years as a trustee at Grays Harbor Community College, where she was chair, and she was the first female president of the Aberdeen Rotary. Lynn has received many awards including the Washington State Arts Alliance’s Louise Miller Advocacy Award in 2003 and the Northwest Women’s Law Center’s Cynthia Gillespie Award in 2002. (Appointed May 1999)
Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Seattle Senator Kohl-Welles (D) has served in the state legislature since 1992. She has championed early learning and access to affordable, high-quality higher education; gender equity and non-discrimination in schools; safety and well-being of children and vulnerable adults; working families; and legal use of medical marijuana. She has established an international reputation for her groundbreaking work on regulating international matchmaking organizations (mail-order bride brokers) and human trafficking. Jeanne is a former public school teacher, holds a Ph.D. from UCLA in the sociology of education and is a lecturer for UW, teaching courses on gender and education. She has been a Flemming Fellow and Eleanor Roosevelt Fellow with the Center for Policy Alternatives and a Foreign Policy Fellow and GlobalPower Fellow with the Center for Women Policy Studies. She served on the National Council of State Legislatures’ Executive Committee and as president of its Women’s Commerce, Research & Development Committee after chairing the Senate Higher Education Committee for years. (Appointed February 2007)
Marty Loesch, LaConnor Loesch is governmental affairs director and tribal attorney for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and is on Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission and University of Notre Dame-Institute for Church Life. Loesch is a Seattle Theater Group CenterStage council member and is on the Washington Wilderness Coalition board of directors.
Mary Ann McCurdy, Spokane Mary Ann McCurdy lives in Spokane. Her company, McCurdy Consulting, forcuses on project management, with emphasis on organizational planning and revitalization. A former school teacher and counselor, she draws on more than twenty-five years experience in marketing and sales, organizational leadership and governmental relations. (Appointed August 2005 through July 2008)
Bill McKay, Richland Since 1999, Bill has been the Dean of Arts and Humanities at Columbia Basin College in Pasco. He was a member of the National Nominating Committee for the Music Teachers National Association in 2002, National Convention Program Selection Committee – MTNA from 1996-1998, National Committee on Teaching of Jazz Piano – World Piano Pedagogy Conference in 1998. Bill was also a Board Member for the Mid Columbia Symphony and served a two-season term as Vice President of Orchestra Relations and Operations. He received a BA in Piano Performance from the University of Washington and an MM in Piano Performance at the University of Texas at Austin. (Appointed August 2004 through July 2007; reappointed through July 2010)
Lanie McMullin, Everett Lanie has been the Executive Director of the Everett Performing Arts Center since 1998, and concurrently the Executive Director, Economic Development, for the City of Everett since 2003. She holds a BFA in Theatrical Arts and an MFA in Directing, both from BYU. She served two terms on the King County Arts Commission, including two years as chair. As Director, she led the Auburn Performing Arts Center through six years of unprecedented growth. She says her life’s work has been to use the arts as a means of community revitalization and economic stimulus. (Appointed August 2006 through July 2009)
Noël Moxley, Yakima Noël is the Executive Director of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra. Accepting this position in April 2000 marked a career change from medicine to music, and fulfilled a lifelong desire to be involved with the arts, especially kids and music. She has served on the Washington State Arts Alliance Board and is past president of the Washington State Arts Alliance Foundation Board. She has volunteered for United Way of Yakima County for many years and served as Chair of the Community Investment Committee. An active member of Downtown Rotary of Yakima, she is chair of the Music Committee and on the Program Committee. Currently Noël also serves on the Thrive by Five, Yakima board for Early Learning. She attended the University of Maryland School of Nursing and spent many years as an administrator in the healthcare industry. (Appointed July 2007 through July 2010)
Joan Penney, Bow Joan is the Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Edmonds Community College. She was formerly the Executive Director of the Bellingham Festival of Music, and she is the founding executive director for the McIntyre Hall Performing Arts and Conference Center in Mount Vernon. She worked as both a faculty member and academic dean at Skagit Valley College for 18 years. She has degrees in music from Seattle University and Western Washington University. Joan is a singer and also a member of the Washington State Arts Alliance. (Appointed April 2001; reappointed through July 2008)
Rosita Romero, Seattle Since 1995 Rosita has been the director of Isis on First Art Gallery. She currently serves on the Community Engagement Committees of Seattle Art Museum and the Seattle Symphony. She co-founded Viva la Musica Club, and is an active member of West Edge Neighborhood community economic development task force of downtown Merchant Association. She is on the committee of WESI (West Edge Sculpture Invitational) Annual Show, and a co-founder and treasurer of MUJERES OF THE NORTHWEST. She earned her BA in Colombia, South America and an M.Ed from University of Washington. She has been a Community College teacher trainer. (Appointed September 2006 through July 2009)
Rep. Mary Skinner, Yakima A life-long Washington resident representing the 14th District, Mary attended Yakima Valley College and graduated from Central Washington University. A former junior-high teacher and longtime volunteer, Mary offers perspectives in health care and education. Mary is a past board member of Yakima Valley Community College, WA State Board of Education, Heritage College, and was co-chair of the council of State Governments’ Health Capacity Task Force. Mary is an advocate for jobs, economic development, and affordable health care. She previously served on WSAC from 1995-2003. Serving her seventh term in the legislature, Mary and her husband, Dr. Harlow Skinner, live in Yakima. (Appointed March 2007)
Brom Wikstrom, Seattle Brom Wikstrom has worked his whole life in the visual arts. After a two-year college course in commercial design he worked in the display field and was actively pursuing his career in a New Orleans electrical sign company when he sustained a high level injury to his spinal cord while swimming. After rehabilitation he began painting with his mouth and developed an art program at Seattle Children's Hospital. He is past president of VSA arts and the Puget Sound Group of Northwest Painters and has served on the board of the Easter Seals organization. He has been staff receptionist at UW’s Burke Museum for over 20 years. He is a member of the International Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, and Director of the Arthead Gallery in Seattle. His paintings are included in many prestigious collections worldwide. (Appointed July 2007 through July 2010)
Shauna Woods, Seattle Shauna Woods is Vice-President for Programs, World Affairs Council, Seattle, and manages family-owned real estate and investment firms. She has had a life-long passion for the theater, sparked by attending her first Broadway play in seventh grade. She has been on the board of the Seattle Repertory Theatre since 1999, serving as President from 2003-2005, and on the Arts Fund Allocation Committee. She also serves on the Advisory Board for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Washington. From 2003-2006 she was Vice-Chair of the Board of the Center for Women and Democracy (formerly at UW), where she has also participated in international delegations to train women to run for political office and to link women leaders from throughout the world. She holds a BA in French Literature and an MBA in International Business from the George Washington University, and worked for Citibank in New York and Brazil. She holds an MS in Ed from Northwestern University and taught high school history in Illinois. (Appointed September 2006 through July 2009) |
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