Board of Directors 2024–2025

President 

Nick Farline 

City of Kennewick

509-585-4544

 

President-Elect 

Chris Powell

King County Parks

206-477-4483


Vice President

Lisa Ellson

Parks Tacoma

253-404-3903

Director-At-Large

Keisha Taylor

Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation

(253) 285-7012

 

 

Director-At-Large

Jeff Ozimek

City of Poulsbo Parks & Recreation

King County Region Director

Lisa Nielsen

Seattle Parks & Recreation

This position serves the following countyKing County

 

 

 

 

Southwest Region Director

Stacey Allington

Vancouver Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services

This position serves the following counties: Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, Wahkiakum

Northwest Region Director

Brian Smith
City of Oak Harbor

This position serves the following counties: Islands, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom

360-279-4526

Eastern Region Director

Julie Piper

City of Richland

This position serves the following countiesAdams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, Yakima

Past-President

Jennifer Burbidge
Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation

360-438-2633

 

Executive Director - Ex Officio

Tiffany Hanzo Martin
Washington Recreation & Park Association

 

Board Meeting Calendar

WRPA Members are welcome to attend board meetings. There will be no public/member comments as board agendas are set ahead of time. If you would like to add an item to the agenda, email a request to the President one week prior to the board meeting. Please understand that at any time, the WRPA Board of Directors can go into Executive Session and exclude non-board Members from this part of the meeting. Please email the WRPA Office if you are interested in attending a meeting. 

General Board Meeting Schedule:

  • June 
  • September
  • November (In Conjunction with Fall Event)
  • January 
  • March 
  • April
  • May (In Conjunction with the Conference)

WRPA Structure

Learn More About Each Board Position

  • President
  • President-Elect
  • Vice President
  • Past President
  • Regional Directors (4 total)
    • King County
    • Southwest: Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, Wahkiakum
    • Northwest: Islands, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom
    • Eastern: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, Yakima
  • At-Large Directors (2 total) 
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer 
View WRPA Bylaws 

Expectations of All Board of Directors Members

  • Go through the initial Board Orientation to understand the Governance and Legal Duty of being on the Board
  • Attend a minimum of 6 of the 9 Board Meetings Scheduled
    • January, February, March, April, May (In-Person at Conference), June, September, October, and November (In-Person at Fall Training)
  • Contribute ideas and participate in decision-making for the greater good of the association
  • Participate in the board's strategic initiatives
  • Serve as a Board Liaison and participate in assigned Committees / Networks 
  • Represent the full spectrum of the interests of the membership

President *

  • Chair of the Governing Board; presides at all meetings
  • Presides over the Annual Business Meeting, which provides an account of the state of the Association to the Membership
  • Works in partnership with the Executive Director on all association affairs 
  • Provides written statements or videos for marketing efforts for WRPA events and services
  • Provides remarks at WRPA events
  • Serves and coordinates with Executive Committee and Executive Director to establish Board Meeting Agendas

*Each nomination term the President position will be open. If elected you will serve a four-year term (Vice President, President-Elect, President, and Past President)

President-Elect *

  • Assumes the duties of the President in the President’s absence
  • Serves as the President if the elected President is unable to complete the full term of office
  • Assumes other duties as assigned by the President
  • Serves on the Executive Committee

*Each nomination term the Presidnet-Elect position will be open. If elected you will serve a four-year term (Vice President, President-Elect, President, and Past President).

Vice President *

  • Assists the President as needed 
*Each nomination term the Vice President position will be open. If elected you will serve a four-year term (Vice President, President-Elect, President, and Past President).

Past President *

  • Assists the President as needed
  • Chairs the Nominations Committee
  • Chairs the Awards Committee 
*Each nomination term the Past President position will be open. If elected you will serve a four-year term (Vice President, President-Elect, President, and Past President).

Regional Directors

King County Region Director, Southwest Region Director, Northwest Region Director, Eastern Region Director

  • Represent the interests and support membership efforts within your region
  • Support education and networking opportunities within your region
  • Host and coordinate at least one gathering event within your region to network and share about WRPA
  • Liaison for departments within the region (and beyond to other areas of the state) sharing upcoming meetings, grants, collaborative opportunities, solutions
  • Liaison with local colleges in tandem with the PREP Committee to promote the profession and encourage participation in WRPA events and services
  • Serve on the Membership Committee
  • Serves a three-year term

At-Large Directors

  • Serves a three-year term

Secretary

  • An appointed position generally assigned to At-Large or Regional Director 
  • Prepares and distributes the minutes of all Board Meetings
  • Serves a three-year term

Treasurer 

    • An appointed position generally assigned to At-Large or Regional Director 
    • Go through a treasurer orientation when elected 
    • Final approval of payments for the Association
    • Understanding of the monthly association financials 
    • Serve on the Finance Committee
    • Serves a three-year termzzz

Additional Resources: