United Way names new board leadership

United Way of Snohomish County announced the new members of its executive committee for 2015 and welcomed 11 new members to its 35-member board of directors. They held their first meeting on Feb. 6.

The members of the executive committee are: Toraya Miller, vice president and internal auditor at Coastal Community Bank (board chair); Dr. Gary Cohn, superintendent of Everett Public Schools (vice chair); Sharon Wellman, director of the tutoring center and instructor of mathematics, anatomy and physiology at Everett Community College (secretary) and Jeff Mitchell, senior vice president and commercial banking center manager of Banner Bank (treasurer). Andrew Ballard, president of Marketing Solutions, just finished his term as board chair and will stay on the executive committee for one more year.

United Way’s board of directors is responsible for overall governance, programmatic oversight of the organization and makes all final decisions regarding finances, community investments and strategic matters.

The 11 new board members, who typically serve a three-year term, include:

L'treyl Chatters, Teen Leadership Council
L’treyl is a recent graduate of Cascade High School, and has been a member of Youth United since 2012. Currently, she is a member of United Way’s Teen Leadership Council and is instrumental in helping to plan the annual MLK Day of Service. L’treyl is interested in studying communications, fashion and cosmetology. She loves volunteering, and serves as a counselor at Girl Scout camps throughout Puget Sound. She lives in Everett with her family.

Bob Collett, Umbra Cuscinetti, Inc.
Bob has been the chief executive officer for Umbra Cuscinetti, Inc. in Everett since 2009. UCI is part of the UmbraGroup, an Italian based company that leads the field in the design and production of aerospace and industrial ball screws, actuation systems, bearings and other precision-movement products. Bob is actively involved with Housing Hope and encourages his staff to participate in volunteer projects. He has been a supporter of United Way for over 30 years and led many volunteer initiatives while at GE. Bob lives in Everett. His two married daughters, two grandsons and a granddaughter live in the Midwest.

Becky Mackenstadt, Vine Dahlen PLLC
Becky has significant audit experience with retail and wholesale trade companies, voluntary health and welfare organizations, health care organizations, foundations and cooperatives. She is a partner with Vine Dahlen and has been with them since 1997. Becky specializes in industries such as: construction contractors, retail and wholesale trade, not-for-profit, and manufacturing. Becky previously served as board treasurer of United Way of Snohomish County for six years and continues to serve as audit committee chair and a member of the finance committee. She currently serves on the board of the Snohomish County Chapter of the American Red Cross, as well as Shoreline Covenant Church.

Dave McCrea, Infosys
Dave has over 32 years of experience in the banking industry, including extensive experience in building and enhancing regulatory compliance and operational processes, primarily in the community banking sector. Much of his career was with Frontier Bank in Everett as senior vice president, branch operations manager and compliance officer. He also served as senior vice president, manager of operations and compliance officer for Horizon Bank in Bellingham. Dave holds a degree in business administration from University of Southern California.

Erin Monroe, Workforce Snohomish
Erin is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 25 years of business, accounting and auditing experience in the private and public sectors. Erin is currently the chief executive officer for Workforce Snohomish. Before becoming CEO, she was previously the chief financial officer, where she directed strategic and innovative solutions to business development and fund development. She currently serves on the board for Snohomish County Junior Achievement and Seattle Radio Theatre.

Josh O’Connor, The Herald
Josh is the vice president of East Sound newspaper operations for Sound Publishing, Inc. and publisher of The Herald. Josh is responsible for seven publications for Sound Publishing, as well as Sound’s press operation in Everett; he joined Sound’s parent company, Black Press Ltd., in 1998. Josh has a marketing and communications degree from Kwantlen University and an undergraduate degree in executive management from Thompson Rivers University. He enjoys the challenging dynamics of building successful community publications. Josh coaches a commitment to delivering relevant, local news that directly affects the lives of those who raise families and work in the communities that Sound Publishing serves. He will serve as co-chair of United Way’s 2015 campaign. Josh married his high school sweetheart, Erin, and together they have two girls.

Maria Peña, Everett Community College
Maria joined Everett Community College as the chief diversity and equity officer in July 2014. She had previously served as the dean for student services and assistant to the president at Peninsula College. Over the course of 23 years in higher education, she has served in progressively responsible leadership positions including lead administrator for disability services, retention advising specialist, associate dean for student success and dean for student development. She has also served as acting vice president for student services. Maria has extensive international experience and has studied in San Sebastian and Madrid, Spain.

Jeff Roe, Premera Blue Cross
Jeff is the president and chief executive officer of Premera Blue Cross. Jeff joined Premera in 1996, served in roles leading the company’s employer and individual market segments, and became president in January 2014.His leadership in insurance also includes positions as co-president of Safeco Insurance and chief marketing officer for Torrent Technologies. Jeff started his career in the Washington, D.C., office of U.S. Senator Slade Gorton and later consulted as a member of The Gallatin Group, a public affairs firm. Jeff serves on the boards of the National Institute for Health Care Management, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Washington Healthcare Forum, and the Visiting Committee of the University of Washington Economics Department.

Steve Spyridis, SPEEA
Steve is a contract administrator and training staff focal for the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace / International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (SPEEA / IFPTE) Local 2001. He previously worked for Boeing Commercial Airplanes as an electrical engineer on various systems on 737, 747, 757, 767 and 777 Airplane Programs. Steve has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Seattle University.

Collene Towers, Teen Leadership Council
Collene is a sophomore attending Kings High school and is a member of United Way’s Teen Leadership Council. Collene plays competitive soccer and enjoys running and skiing. Collene also works as a peer tutor and volunteers her time with Camp Providence. She is passionate about children, homelessness and keeping our community healthy. She lives in Mukilteo.

Kim Williams, MS, RN; Providence Regional Medical Center Everett
Kim is the chief operating officer for Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. As COO, she oversees operations of a 501-bed medical center with two locations and 3,500 employees. Providence Regional is a Level II Trauma Center and serves five counties with comprehensive, not-for-profit, mission-based health care. Kim has served in several leadership roles since 2003, including chief nursing officer before being named chief operating officer in 2013. Kim serves on various boards including the Washington Center for Nursing, Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives, and the Camano Community and Senior Center. She served as the 2013 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Chair.

The full list of United Way of Snohomish County’s board of directors can be found online at http://www.uwsc.org/boardofdirectors.php.