Board of Directors 2023–2024

President 

Jennifer Wills
Longview Parks & Recreation

President-Elect 

Jennifer Burbidge
Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation

 

Vice President

Nick Farline 

City of Kennewick

 

 

Director-At-Large

Keisha Taylor

Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation

Director-At-Large

Brian Judd
Seattle Parks & Recreation

King County Region Director

Maryke Burgess
Kirkland Parks & Recreation

This position serves the following countyKing County

 

Southwest Region Director

Lisa Ellson

Metro Parks Tacoma

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

Eastern Region Director & Secretary

Andy Coleman
Walla Walla Parks & Recreation 

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

Dave Johnson
City of Maple Valley

 

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
  • October 
  • November (In Conjunction with Fall Event)
  • January 
  • February (In Conjunction with Legislative Day)
  • March 
  • April
  • May (In Conjunction with the Conference)

Board Structure

Download PDF

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

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