Meet our Board of Directors
Sustainable Connections Board
Board of Directors:
Jim Ashby, General Manager, Community Food Co-op
Jim Ashby has been involved in worker and community-owned natural food businesses in the northwest since 1975. Since 1985 when he became general manager of Bellingham’s Community Food Co-op he’s been active in the promotion and development of sustainable agriculture in Whatcom County and the greater northwest. Under his leadership the Food Co-op has initiated innovative programs to support new and established farmers to expand their reach into the marketplace and grown to be a cornerstone of our vibrant local economy. Jim has also been active since its inception in the development of the National Cooperative Grocers Association, an association of 120 food co-ops whose aim is to leverage the combined financial strength of cooperatives while helping them preserve their unique identities in their individual communities.
Andrea Clay, Owner Pioneer Ford & the Clay Foundation
Shawn Kemp
After many years driving online innovation, Shawn stepped away from the corporate world and Seattle in 2006. With the idea of focus on trying to live a slightly more sustainable life and helping sparking social change in the world. Change that will ensure a better future for ourselves, our communities, and the planet. He currently spends much of his time with ONE/Northwest a non-profit started by Paul Brainerd 12 years ago to bring technology to the environmental movement. Where he is helping non-profits around the country to get better at utilizing the engagement potential of the internet. Shawn is also an active angel investor with a focus on making local and triple bottom line businesses a viable investment option and powerful economic lever. That interest guides his involvement as a member of the screening committee for the Bellingham Angel Group. Having chosen Bellingham for many reasons Shawn, his wife Misty, their foster daughter, and fluffy white dog can be seen walking, hiking, and riding bikes through our wonderful town and the surrounding area.
Rose Lathrop, Project Coordinator Aiki Homes
Rose Lathrop joined the Sustainable Connection Board of Directors in 2010 as a local leader in the green building movement. Rose has a versed background in sustainability practices from both the public and private sector and is transforming local building practices. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Planning and Environmental Policy from Huxley College for the Environment, Western Washington University. She is also a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Accredited Professional and a CSBA (Certified Sustainable Building Advisor). Rose has a deep-seeded passion for sustainable living, and she practices this in her daily life. She is a curious blend of urban farmer, green building pioneer, and cheerful community-maker.
Janet Lightner, Manager, Boundary Bay Brewery
Charlie Maliszewski
Charlie brings to the Sustainable Connections board a science-based perspective and a firm belief that work without fun is just…….work. An immunologist by training, he enjoyed a fulfilling career at biopharmaceutical pioneer Immunex, involved in the discovery and development of protein therapeutics to treat cancer, infection, and autoimmune disorders. He now spends most of his “professional” time working with local environmental and sustainability oriented non-profits. Charlie also loves to hike, bike, ski, play music, grow food, read, hang out with family and friends, and laugh for no good reason.
Allen Matsumoto, Partner, UI Architects, Inc.
Allen is a senior partner and human factors engineer in UI Architects, a consultancy helping companies that design products and services to create things that delight by virtue of simplicity. In professional and private life, Allen works to support and design systems that serve people, rather than needing to be served by them. Sustainable Connections' focus on change through enlightened business practices was a perfect fit and a natural draw for him when he arrived in Bellingham from Bainbridge Island in 2004. Allen led a grassroots effort that led to the master planning of Bellingham's second designated urban village development area along Samish way. Allen has served as Sehome neighborhood association president and member of the Bellingham Planning Commission, as well as assistant coach for Boys and Girls Club football. When Allen isn't making things easier to use, planning remodels, or landscaping at his home with his wife Chris, he's dreaming of the day when he has nothing to do in his spare time but fly fish.
Elie Samuel, Owner, Samuel's Furniture
Elie, the founder and owner of Samuel’s Furniture, is deeply committed to the mission of Sustainable Connections. Elie received his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia in 1990 and moved to Whatcom County shortly thereafter to open Samuel’s Furniture in Ferndale. Elie comes from a long line of furniture store owners (or at least one generation of furniture store owners) and proudly carries on his family tradition, while seeking to incorporate the triple bottom line of social, environmental, and economic sustainability into his business. Most recently, Elie has implemented the Toward Zero Waste campaign at Samuel’s Furniture, learning much in the process about our waste stream. Elie also serves on the board of the Ferndale Boys and Girls Club and has done so since 2001. When not busy selling furniture or zero wasting, he can most likely be found at Mallard Ice Cream or on his bicycle.
Alexandrea Spaulding, Owner, Alexandrea Consults
Alexandrea is an independent communications and marketing consultant. She has worked in a variety of capacities here in Whatcom County-- from fair trade toys to pandemic flu community planning. Prior to moving to Bellingham 8 years ago for love, she worked in corporate communications for multi national technology companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since parking cars at the first Imagine This Home and Landscape Tour in the summer of 2003, Alexandrea has been smitten with Sustainable Connections and its great work.
Cheryl Thornton, Co-owner, Cloud Mountain Farm
Ex-Officio: Michael Lilliquist, Bellingham, City Council Liaison
Special thanks to the years of service we enjoyed from the following former board members:
Fred Berman, Owner, Pastazza; Small Farm & Direct Marketing Coordinator, WSDA
Ken Bothman, Owner, La Fiamma & Fiamma Burger
John D'Onofrio, Owner, D'Onofrio & Editor, NW Business Monthly
Rick Dubrow, Owner, A-1 Builders
Todd Elsworth, Director, Bellingham Traverse
Dean Fearing, Associate Director, Kulshan Community Land Trust
Mauri Ingram, CEO Whatcom Community Foundation
Duane Jager, Executive Director ReUse Works
Leanne Kramer
Cindi Landreth, Co-Owner, A-1 Builders
Scott Mauermann, Owner Laurel Landscaping
Janet Ott, Owner, Ott & Associates
Chuck Robinson, Owner Village Books & Paper Dreams
Steve Roguski, Owner, Fairhaven Runners
Terese Roles-Meier
Christopher Webb, Owner, Chris Webb & Associates Inc
Ken Wilcox
Kathie Wilson, Owner, Child life Montessori Schools
