Green Building Slam 2026

In Lynette’s first career as a Navy pilot she flew and managed logistics in various corners of the world. Her second career has focused on using those management skills to grow community in Whatcom county- from organizations for kids, to schools, to Cloud Mountain Farm Center, to WLTRG, her focus is on connecting neighbors rooted in a strong sense of place.

Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group is assisting clients throughout Whatcom County in repairing their homes and livelihoods after the devastating floods of 2021 and 2025. Through amazing partnerships with private businesses, community partners, and government grants we are lifting homes out of the flood zones and improving the flood resilience of affected communities.

Jessica leads key sustainability initiatives for the Port of Seattle’s Maritime Division. She manages the Sustainable Evaluation Framework, a cornerstone tool guiding climate‑forward decision‑making across major capital projects. She also heads the Building Resource Efficiency Team where she helps shape strategies that reduce building energy use, advance green building practices, and support long‑term resilience at one of the busiest working waterfronts in the Pacific Northwest.

With 18 years of experience in the environmental field and a master’s degree in Sustainable Transportation from University of Washington, Jessica brings deep technical knowledge, a collaborative spirit, and a systems‑thinking approach to every project she touches. Her work bridges policy, engineering, and community priorities to ensure that the region’s maritime infrastructure evolves in a way that is both environmentally responsible and economically viable.

At the Green Building Slam, Jessica looks forward to sharing how ports can be catalysts for bold sustainability progress. The Port of Seattle has created a Port-wide process to help reduce environmental and community impacts from capital projects and major operational decisions.

Denise Lones’ is a local builder and developer, and she is a National New Home Community Strategist and Expert. She is also a 4-time National Home Design winner and Interior Design winner. She builds developments and advocates for the building industry and believes you can build a better home and a more beautiful one if you embrace sustainable practices.

As a certified instructor for many prominent trade groups and educational institutions, her written contributions are valued by organizations such as Master Builders Association, the New Home Sales and Marketing Council, the National Association of Home Builders, Washington REALTORS, the Washington State Department of Licensing, the Washington State Housing and Finance Committee, and numerous real estate companies including Windermere Real Estate, Coldwell Banker Real Estate, and RE/MAX Real Estate.

Denise’s latest development, Muirfield at Semiahmoo, has been turning heads in Whatcom County and beyond. In 2025 and 2026, she received the AAC Star Builder Award from BIAW and in 2026 won a highly-coveted Nationals award from NAHB for her design of the Augusta floorplan at Muirfield Semiahmoo. Her floorplan the Sussex recently won the BEST SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED HOME in the USA by the PCBC Gold Nugget Awards which recognizes the best in new construction architecture, design and community planning. Denise is also the author of numerous white papers and an e-book on focus groups, and was nominated by Inman News as one of the 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders.

Rep. Lisa Parshley, has represented the 22nd Legislative District since 2025. She serves on the Health Care & Wellness Committee, Local Government Committee, and the Capital Budget Committee where she is the Vice Chair. She previously served as a member of the Olympia City Council.

As a member of the Olympia City Council, Lisa has been a strong advocate for safety, affordability, and the health of our environment. Her commitment to these issues is evident in her roles on the Finance Committee, Thurston County Climate Mitigation Steering Committee, Olympia Sea level Rise Phase III Committee, Joint Animal Services Commission, LOTT Board of Directors, Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (Alternate), and as PBIA Board Liaison.

Rep. Alex Ramel was appointed to the legislature in January of 2020. In 2022, 2024, and again in 2026 he was elected by his colleagues to the leadership role of Majority Whip. Over the last six sessions, Rep. Ramel led on legislation to:

• Create the Washington state scenic bike routes program.
• Increase energy efficiency and reduce pollution caused by public buildings.
• Coordinate planning for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
• Modernize driver’s licensing procedures.
• Advance deployment of green electrolytic hydrogen.
• Enable public electric utilities to help their customers switch to clean electric appliances.
• Create a planned, predictable and just transition away from the use of fossil fuels in buildings.
• Increase the affordability of homes built using the state’s multi-family tax exemption.
• End tax subsidies for fossil fuels.

Rep. Ramel, a single parent to his son, Alden, was called to public service to help address the climate and housing crises facing current and future generations. He has served as President of the Kulshan Community Land Trust which helps build and preserve affordable housing and he led development of the Community Energy Challenge which brings businesses, utilities, non-profits, and government together to help conserve energy, reduce costs, and create good paying jobs. Raised near Denver, Colorado, Rep. Ramel has called Bellingham home for over 20 years. He is a graduate of Western Washington University’s College of the Environment with a B.A. in Environmental Policy and Planning.

Bill is a Renewable Energy Technician with the Swinomish Tribe, bringing one year of hands-on experience supporting solar and energy projects. He is pursuing NABCEP O&M and CAPM certifications to expand his expertise in renewable energy operations, commissioning, asset management, and project management. William’s long-term goal is to become an Energy Manager and contribute wherever needed to advance the Tribe’s energy sovereignty, resilience, and independence through sustainable energy solutions.

Robert “Hondo” Pell is an accomplished infrastructure leader currently serving as the Construction Division Manager for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. He oversees all Construction as well as utility development, and community-driven design and build projects from initial concept through completion. With a career spanning several critical sectors, including tribal governance and industrial construction, He brings specialized expertise in construction management, procurement, contract negotiation, and public safety.

Hondo plays a key role in advancing the Tribe’s energy sovereignty. Over the past four years, he has spearheaded the rapid rollout of the Swinomish Solar and Energy Storage Microgrid Fleet of Facilities and Homes, successfully executing systems across critical infrastructure. He also represents the Tribe within the Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project (ETIPP) work group where Hondo has collaborated on strategic energy planning, techno-economic analyses, and long-term utility framework strategies to build regional grid resilience and clean energy.

Christina Adams, a dedicated wife and mother of five, is an Enrolled Tribal member of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. She draws strength and inspiration from her culture, family, and community, and believes that authentic leadership is rooted in service. She actively advocates for programs that empower Indigenous voices and pave the way for long-term prosperity.

Through her work over the last two years with the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP) on the work group developing the tribal energy strategic plan and advancing careers in solar energy, she has helped raise energy awareness in her community. She works to drive impactful change in energy sustainability and affordability in Indian County.

Energy sovereignty is built one project at a time. Through partnerships, education, workforce development, and strategic investments in solar and battery storage, Tribes can create a more resilient, reliable, and locally controlled energy future. Bill and his team will discuss the progression from where many Tribal communities have historically been to where Swinomish is today, and ultimately where they are headed.