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| Board of Directors |
| The Downtown Walla Walla Foundation is under the direction of many talented business owners, property owners, executives and hard working citizens. |
| Larry Nelson | Software Planning, 522-1620 |
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Larry is a lifelong resident of Eastern Washington and a graduate of Whitman College. For 24 years he has owned Software Planning, a software consulting firm with offices in Downtown Walla Walla. Larry served as Treasurer, Vice-President and President of the Foundation Board in the mid-1990's. He has served as the Chair of the Farmers Market Committee since the Market opened in 1997. His other community activities include service as past President of United Way of Walla Walla County and the WWCC Computer Technology Advisory Committee. |
| Jon Campbell | Jon A. Campbell, Architect, 526-3700 |
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Jon is a tried-and-true Walla Wallan. Born and raised here, he returned after fourteen years in the Portland area to open his own architecture office. Jon is a valuable component of the Foundation's Design Committee and currently serving his second term on the Board of Directors. He and his wife Mary now spend their days training the newest member of the family, Jasper, a Yellow Lab. |
| Monte Willis | Willis & Toews, 529-0908 |
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After graduating from Washington State University, where he double majored in accounting & business law, Monte attended Cornell Law School. After receiving his Doctor of Law, he moved to Walla Walla in 1995 and began practicing real estate, business, estate planning, probate and civil litigation (including personal injury) with Minnick Hayner. Monte joined Dan Hess's office in 2001 and opened his own law office in January 2006. Monte is also an avid cyclist/triathlete and periodically acts in plays at the Little Theater. |
| Darcey Benzel | Green & Jackson Medical, 529-1700 |
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Born and raised in Wallowa, OR, Darcey came to the "big city" in 1981, where she met and married her husband, Gary. Together they have two teenaged children, Andrew (17) and Kirsten (16). Both are very active in sports and keep their parents busy. Darcey began working at Green and Jackson in 1994. In 2002 she bought the historic company and transitioned the prescription-based business to a full rehabilitation and hospital supplies retailer. Darcey is serving her second term with the Foundation's Board of Directors. |
| Denny Wagaman | Coldwell Banker First Realtors, 525-0820 |
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Denny was on the Foundation's founding board for which he served as President. He co-owns Coldwell Banker First Realtors and has been named Walla Walla's Realtor of the Year twice during his career. In addition to the Foundation, he is actively involved in Habitat for Humanity, Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary. |
| Sharon Graese | Best Western Suites Walla Walla Inn, 525-4700 |
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A fixture of the local hospitality scene since 1992, Sharon has been involved with such gateway properties as The Comfort Inn (now La Quinta), The Marcus Whitman Inn, and currently manages the Best Western Suites. The mother of three daughters, Sharon and her husband Jim enjoy the small-town friendliness of our community. |
| Squire Broel | Broel Studio, 522-1060 |
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A resident of Walla Walla for 27 years, Squire with his wife Amber and two charming daughters Rome and Noa, are active members of the community. Broel Studios has been open for six years and his sculptures and paintings have become popular fixtures on both Main Street and the Whitman College campus. |
| Lyle Hansen | Banker Boyer Bank, 525-2000 |
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Lyle was raised in the
Yakima Valley (Naches), and is a graduate of Washington State University. He started his career in banking in 1978 and is currently Executive Vice President/Banking Division Manager for Baker Boyer Bank. Lyle has been involved in downtown issues due to his leadership role at the bank and is an avid supporter of the Foundation. He is a past campaign chair and board member of United Way of Walla Walla, and is a past President of the Exchange Club of Walla Walla. |
| Gail Waetje | Beehive Hairhouse, 525-2201 |
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After an extended career as General Manager of the Eastgate Mall/Marketplace, Gail fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a stylist and owning a salon. She never questioned that her salon would be located anywhere other than Downtown Walla Walla. Entering its sixth year of business, The Beehive is abuzz with activity! Gail has served many organizations in our community, including the Chamber, Team Walla Walla and Exchange Club. She is looking forward to "giving a little back" to Downtown Walla Walla. |
| Jim Barrows | City Council Liason |
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From the beginning, the DWWF has enjoyed a good working relationship with the City. Jim brings both his perspective on the Council and a wealth of professional experience in public planning. We welcome him as the Council Liaison. |
| Doug Bayne | Banner Bank |
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Doug Bayne was born in Walla Walla, and spent his childhood in Yakima. Although he went to college on the east coast, his heart was still in Eastern Washington, and Bayne returned to Walla Walla and Banner Bank, where he has worked for 20 years. “Economic growth and quality of life in Walla Walla has enticed my world-traveling kids to settle down here,” says Bayne. “Our downtown is a big part of that growth and quality of life.”
Banner Bank was the first local company to take advantage of the Main Street Bill, allowing businesses to make a contribution to a community-based revitalization organization and receive 75% of that amount as a credit toward their state B&O taxes. In 2006 Banner contributed $133,333.33 to the Downtown Foundation, allowing them to receive a $100,000 credit on their 2007 B&O tax bill. Banner Bank has pledged $65,000 toward the Foundation for 2007. |
| Karie Brodhun-Rochester | Macy's |
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Brodhun-Rochester has been employed by Macy’s since graduating from WSU with a degree in Fashion Merchandising, and has been Manager of the Walla Walla store since January 2006. Serving on the Foundation Board will be Brodhun-Rochester’s first foray into Walla Walla community service. “I really needed to focus on getting to know the store before getting involved in Walla Walla,” Rochester says.
As a major retail anchor downtown, Macy’s has been critical to the success of Downtown Walla Walla. In the mid-eighties, the management of what was then The Bon Marché decided against moving the store to the Blue Mountain Mall with Sears and J.C. Penney’s. That decision was followed by the purchase and restoration of the Liberty Theater building, allowing for a significant store expansion that many consider a turning point in the revitalization of downtown. |
| David Camp | Key Technology |
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David Camp was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Key Technology in the fall of 2006, and was appointed to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors shortly following. He leads Key with over 25 years of technology and manufacturing related experience ranging from small entrepreneurial companies to large corporations.
Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, David grew up in the small tobacco town of Marion, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology with Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina. David serves on the Research Advisory Board of the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina.
Key Technology counts the award-winning downtown as an excellent recruitment tool as they work to bring quality employees to Walla Walla . |
| Beth Swanson | The Moms' Network Founder |
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Beth is a WSU graduate with a degree in Sports Management. She has extensive experience in events and promotions in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Her infectious enthusiasm for our community and downtown is based upon a core belief that we can and should make WW a great place for families.
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| Raffaele Exiana | CounterPoint Design & R&R Design |
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Raffaele has a Masters in Architecture degree from the UW. He is more than a little far from home, coming to us from the Italian island of Sardegna. Rafaelle is the lead designer of Bellevue based R&R Design and Walla Walla based CounterPoint Design. His present signature project is the historic restoration at 51 E Main (formerly the Zodiac or WW Clothing). He also has residential, commercial and winery projects. |
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