2018 Board of Directors
President – Gabe Toma, Woodlawn & Forest Funeral Homes, Lacey WA
Working and networking in Tumwater for the past 5 years brought me to serve on the Chamber Board of Directors in 2017 and this year 2018, I took up the challenge to help the Tumwater Chamber grow. Starting with new board members and a strong planning committee we will be able to accomplish our growth plan in the next couple of years. The mind power leading the Chamber has a tremendous experience in putting together a realistic strategic plan and a solid roadmap to get us there. New website and new marketing plan, a new image, and new goals will attract new members and supporters. We are strengthening our relationship with the Tumwater City and the local business community and we are ready to have a voice for our members.
Vice President – Dr. Valerie Sundby-Thorp, Dean of Social Science and Business, South Puget Sound Community College, Tumwater
As an instructional administrator at South Puget Sound Community College, I am committed to building and sustaining educational programs that support the creation of a skilled workforce in Thurston County. I am excited to serve as a board member with the Tumwater Chamber so that I can build relationships with local businesses, understand the emerging workforce needs in the area, and create partnerships that support the work of SPSCC and the broader Tumwater Community.
Secretary – Ed Hildreth, Retired City Councilman, and Business Owner, Tumwater WA
My association with the Tumwater Chamber started over 25 years ago when I was a business owner. Today as then I feel that the chamber plays an important part in and for business. AS a Tumwater councilman I continued my contact with the chamber. Today I am retired from business and council but still am a strong supporter of the chamber because it not only helps business but also the community. I’m proud to be a Board member and to contribute to a better Tumwater business community.
Board Members
Bob Jones, Retired Military and Business Owner, Olympia WA
Being retired from the US Army, I proudly serve on the Chamber Board as the Military and Veteran Liaison. I am dedicated to our mission, as we continue to grow and to build on our success as a Military and Veteran friendly community. Many of us joined the Chamber to give service back to our community and to support our Veterans who call Tumwater and the surrounding areas home. Toward that end, a few good Veterans, Veteran Advocates and I founded Thurston County Veterans Services (TCVS), a state and federally registered 501 (c) (3) Charitable Nonprofit Veteran Service Organization dedicated to supporting Veterans in Thurston County and the South Puget Sound region. I serve as President of the TCVS Board. TCVS has a mission to educate Veterans about their benefits, coordinate those Veteran Service Providers and reduce any barriers to those benefits and services.
Casey Jones, Realtor at Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty, Inc, Tumwater WA
Th
e Tumwater Chamber is a wonderful way for me to connect with other businesses and potential customers. I’m learning so much more about the important efforts to support and develop our community, such as: City of Tumwater government; Thurston Economic Development Council and its Center for Business and Innovation; Thurston County government; Port of Olympia; our local schools; real estate development; many businesses, big and small; and many community organizations and events. With the Chamber’s help, our local businesses voice our concerns to local governments about the issues that affect our businesses and we help shape policies enabling us to promote and grow our businesses. The Chamber, I believe, is helping to make Tumwater a great place to live and work.
Michael Furlong, Funeral Director at Funeral Alternatives of WA. Tumwater, WA
As a Funeral Director for Funeral Alternatives Mike has developed a passion for serving the families and
community of the Tumwater area; this has evolved to joining and serving on the board of the Tumwater
Chamber of Commerce. Mike is proud to say he works in Tumwater. Developing healthy businesses is key to expanding the economic and social success of any city, and by utilizing networking and a cooperation between business owners via the Chamber Mike hopes to see Tumwater not just survive but also thrive as a community.
Brian Hardcastle, Supervisor of K-12 Math, Science & CTE at Tumwater School District, Tumwater WA.
David Bills, Mortgage Servicing Underwriter at Washington State Employees Credit Union, Olympia WA.
I’ve lived in the Tumwater area for over 23 years. In that time, I’ve served on several non-profit boards and continue to serve on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee for the City of Tumwater. I believe a strong business community is one of the keys to a sustanable and vibrant community. I also believe a chamber of commerce can be a valuable resource that business can turn to for support on many different levels. This is one of the several reasons I’m excited to return to the board of the Tumwater Area Chamber of Commerce. I’m eager to help build the Tumwater Chamber as a go to for area businesses.
Treasurer – Aaron Donaldson, Owner at Cornerstone Benefits Consulting Group,
Over 20 years of experience. We work with small and medium sized companies to improve employee benefits for the same cost, or get the same benefits at a lower cost. Get a complimentary company benefits check up today! My goal with the Tumwater Chamber is to give the members of the Tumwater Chamber sound business advise if they offer, or are considering offering, a benefit plan to their employees, even if they choose not to use Cornerstone as their benefit broker.
