Title/Organization: Community Services Administrator, City of Renton.
Email: thigashiyama@ci.renton.wa.us
Bio: Serves as the City of Renton’s Community Services Administrator. She joined the board in 2007. Terry brings with her a passion for community service and parks and recreation with over 28 years of experience. She received the industry’s highest recognition, the “Honor Fellow Award”, in 2001 for her dedication and support in the parks and recreation field. Terry currently serves as Chair for the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA).

Back to Top

Title/Organization: Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of Home Street Bank, Newcastle Office
Email: Linda.Stemler@homestreet.com
Bio: Linda Stemler is Branch Manager and Assistant Vice President for the Newcastle and Southcenter Branches of HomeStreet Bank. She has been with HomeStreet Bank for just over 4 years, but has been managing bank or credit union branches for 18 years both here in Washington and in Kaiserslautern, Germany where the clients were the US Military. Linda is currently the President of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce and has served on the Chamber Board for 4 years in other capacities. Linda is married, has three grown children and is the proud grandmother of 6 grandchildren. When not banking or attending to family matters, Linda is an avid quilter and has made quilts for charity raffles or auctions for three years running. Her quilts have helped MultiFaith Works of Seattle, a non-profit providing low income housing for AIDS and Multiple Sclerosis patients, raise over $65,000. Linda is a native Canadian, but grew up as a Military "Brat" and has lived throughout Canada, the USA and Europe. She has called Western Washington home since 1996. She and her husband enjoy motorcycling (yes – Linda has her own bike!) and are active in their local church.

Back to Top

Title/Organization: VP of Administration and Finance, Renton Technical College
Email: mmerrell@RTC.edu
Bio: Melinda has worked at RTC for the past 8 years and was recently promoted from Director of Financial Services to Vice President of Administration and Finance. She became a board member in September 2009. She was born and raised in the Renton area and after graduating high school, she enlisted in the Army. Melinda holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of North Florida.

Back to Top

Title/Organization:
Email:
Bio: Carol Simpson joined the RTC Foundation board in September, 2008. She is a licensed architect and has practiced in commercial development for over 25 years. Currently retired from practice, she has turned her focus to her family and community. She and her husband, both graduates of the University of Washington, have one son who attends McKnight Middle School and participates in the Bike Club and Boy Scouts. Carol is an active volunteer, helping the YWCA with their annual benefit luncheons, volunteering with her church, and for her local schools. In 2007, she was elected to the Newcastle City Council. She is also a member of Newcastle Chamber of Commerce, seeking opportunities to advance Newcastle's downtown business community. Carol has attended classes at Renton Technical College and has seen firsthand how RTC provides excellent educational services serving students and the community. Her goal is to help make educational dreams a reality for all who seek them.

Back to Top

Title/Organization:
Email:
Bio: Carol has been a board member since 1998 and a retiree of Renton Technical College. Carol holds a Bachelors in Math from Allegheny College, a B.S. in Business from City University, and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Back to Top

Title/Organization: Insurance Agent & Registered Representative, Littell Insurance
Email: littellinsurance@aol.com
Bio: Robert is a third generation business owner and agent in the life insurance and securities industry. He joined the board in 2007. His focus is on retirement planning, life insurance and college savings plans. He has practiced for almost thirty years, attended the University of Washington, is married and has two children, a daughter age 5 and a son, 9 months. He believes in a relationship based practice, helping people from all walks of life and is passionate about creating opportunities to help people succeed.

Back to Top

Title/Organization: Education and Teen Services Coordinator; King County Library System.
Email: jbattisti@ci.renton.wa.us
Bio: Jerene is the Education and Teen Services Coordinator for the King County Library System. Jerene has been a board member since September 2003. She graduated from the University of Washington in 1967 and received her Master’s Degree in Library and Information Sciences in 1969. Jerene is active with the Renton Rotary Board, is a Children’s Hospital Trustee and is on the Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Board. She believes that Renton Technical College is a vital asset to the economic growth of this region and feels fortunate to serve on the Board.

Title/Organization: Faculty, Early Childhood Careers, Renton Technical College.
Email: bculler@RTC.edu
Bio: Barbara is the Early Childhood Careers Instructor at Renton Technical College. She has been working at RTC since 1991, both as a full and part time evening instructor she joined the board in 2005. Originally from Hawaii, Barbara received her training and education at the University of Hawaii, where she earned her M.ED in Early Childhood Education. She has been working in education for over 30 years and loves teaching others about young children.

Back to Top

Title/Organization: Project Manager, Qwest (Retired)
Email: ajorgensen6@comcast.net
Bio: Andee is a retired manager from U.S. West. She has a long history of service with Renton Technical College. She was appointed by the Governor to the Board of Trustees in 1992 and served three terms chairing the board numerous years as well. In that capacity she also served as the liaison to the Foundation and now serves on the Foundation board. Additionally her community work is extensive. She serves on the Renton Area Youth and Family Services Board of Directors, the Greater Renton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and currently co-chairs the Cuautla, Mexico Sister City Committee and serves as Secretary for Rotary International club of Renton. She is married to Rich Wagner and has a son.

Back to Top

Title/Organization: Owner, King & Bunny's Discount Appliance & TV
Email: king@kingandbunnys.com
Bio: Joined the board in September 2004. King has lived in Renton for over 37 years. As a strong community advocate, he has served on the Renton City Council and is currently serving on the Renton Chamber Board, Community in Schools Board, Puget Sound Access Board (channel 77), and as vice president of the Renton Community Foundation. King has also participated in many community fund-raising events, including the RTC Technical Resource Campaign. King and his wife own King and Bunny’s Appliances in the Renton Highlands and as a Renton businessman is committed to the betterment of his community. He believes that Renton Technical College provides a superb educational opportunity to its residents and to the Puget Sound region.

Back to Top

Title/Organization: Associate Attorney; Hanis Irvine Prothero, PLLC.
Email: bhanis@hgzlaw.com
Bio: Brian is an associate attorney with Hanis Irvine Prothero, PLLC. He joined the board in 2007. He has been practicing law for over 2 years focusing in construction, contracts, landlord/tenant (commercial and residential), wills/estates, adoptions, and bankruptcy. He attended the University of Washington and went to law school at Gonzaga University. Brian has recently joined various organizations to become more involved in his community including Kiwanis Club of Kent and Leadership Institute of South King County. Brian enjoys spending time with his family and is a sports enthusiast that enjoys traveling. Brian believes in trying to help whenever necessary and wants to help provide an opportunity for others to obtain a formal education as he received.

Back to Top

Title/Organization: Board of Trustees, Renton Technical College
Email: richzwicker@msn.com
Bio: Rich, a graduate of the RTC Legal Assistant Program, is employed by the State of Washington Office of the Attorney General as a Paralegal. A life-long resident of Renton, he is active in the community serving as President and board member of the North Renton Neighborhood Association and as a member of the City of Renton's Airport Advisory Committee. He also serves on the Renton Technical College Board of Trustees and is their representative on the foundation board.

Back to Top

Title/Organization: Executive Director, Renton Technical College Foundation
Email: dranniger@RTC.edu
Bio: Joined the Foundation as Director in 2005. She has a strong background in education, teaching college courses in public speaking, interpersonal, intercultural and small group communication at Renton Technical College and University of Phoenix. In addition she is President of the Kent City Council, chairs the Parks and Human Services Committee and serves on the Operations Committee. Her former business, Ranniger's Kent Nursery received the "In Pursuit of Excellence Award" in the category of Diversity from the Kent Chamber of Commerce for encouraging and supporting diversity in the workplace. She also received the Spirit of the Community, Outstanding Service Award from the Kent Area PTA Council for her service to the community. Her passion for education and community service drives her commitment to advance the foundation helping others to realize their dreams.

Back to Top

Title/Organization: Torero’s Mexican Restaurant
Email: vm12298@yahoo.com
Bio: Veronica grew up in Renton and now resides in Kent with her husband and three children, Marissa 13, Caitlyn 10 & Marco 5. She is a daughter of immigrants and is first in her family to graduate from college. She knows the importance of education and how difficult it sometimes is for individuals to get a college education. Veronica has remained in her family's business and has worked there for over 20 years. She served on the St. Anthony School Commission for 5 years and has remained active in the Renton community. She is excited to serve at the college and is hoping for the best!

Back to Top

Title/Organization:
Email:
Bio: Jim Baker joined the RTC Foundation board in October, 2008. Jim grew up in Texas and received his degree in mechanical engineering at Texas A. & M. He then spent 38 years at Boeing as a propulsion engineer mostly involved in jet engine related activities which ranged from wind tunnel tests to full scale engine tests and finally flight tests. These activities supported the design and development of propulsion systems plus FAA certification and then in-service customer support. During his tenure at Boeing, Jim was also a part of the crash investigation teams as a propulsion expert. Investigating crashes of Boeing planes took him to many interesting countries such as the Ivory Coast and Ethiopia in Africa and Bolivia in South America. His avocation activities include many years as a white water kayaker, over 20 years as an active member of Seattle Mountain Rescue and more recently a member of the Rotary Club of Renton where he has served as president. He and his wife Charmaine have three sons and a bunch of grandchildren.

Back to Top