PEAK Leadership Program Introduces Newly-Elected Board of Directors

NORTH OLYMPIC PENINSULA — “When the PEAK Leadership Program graduated its first class of 12 leaders last month, the occasion also marked the graduation of the PEAK Leadership Program,” according to Danille Turissini, executive director of the PEAK Leadership Program. She reports the program has transitioned from being a joint project, under the auspices of its co-founders, EDC Team Jefferson and Peninsula College, to becoming an independently recognized 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, operating under the direction of a regional board of directors.

The PEAK Leadership Board of Directors:

1. Board President - Joseph F. Murray, Pysht-Clallam Bay, Managing Forester, Merrill & Ring Pysht Tree Farm
2. 1st Vice President - John Calhoun, Forks, Director, UW Olympic Natural Resources Center, Clallam County Port Commissioner
3. 2nd Vice President - Katherine Baril, Port Townsend, Director, WSU Jefferson County Extension and EDC Team Jefferson
4. Treasurer - Becky McGinty, Port Angeles, owner, BSG Enterprises
5. Secretary - Jan Gannett, Sequim, retired Microsoft Program Manager, owner, WitZend Solutions, volunteer board member, Dungeness Valley Health & Wellness Clinic
6. Ian McFall, Brinnon, Corporate Business Consultant
7. Meri Parker, Neah Bay, President, Ozett Associates, LLC
8. Shelby Smith, Port Hadlock, Administrative Assistant, EDC Team Jefferson
9. Craig Wier, Port Townsend, EDC Team Jefferson
10. Bill Wise, Port Townsend, Chair, EDC Team Jefferson.

Turissini continued, “I am honored to have the support of such an amazing and capable group of people. I am grateful for their very generous offering of time, energy, expertise and resources in order to ensure the future success of this vital program to our region.”

Leading the PEAK Program into this new phase of operation is Joseph F. Murray, newly elected as president of the PEAK Board. Joe is the Managing Forester for Merrill & Ring Pysht Tree Farm in Clallam Bay, where he has been employed for nearly 30 years. He is also a graduate of the Washington State AgForestry Leadership Program.

Murray states, “The primary challenges of the PEAK program going forward are to establish a network of people who will help recruit participants for the program, and to strengthen the sustainability of the organization by cultivating a stable fiscal base. I accept this challenge with great optimism because the community has already shown that it understands the need for this program and that it’s also willing to contribute towards its success. Likewise, our entire board is committed to moving the PEAK Program forward and will strive to earn even greater support from the communities on the North Olympic Peninsula.”

Executive board member Katherine Baril is a strong advocate for offering leadership development opportunities on the North Olympic Peninsula. According to Turissini, “The PEAK Program would not exist today had it not been for Katherine’s intervention and initiative. In its present form, PEAK is the result of many years of exploration and planning by numerous groups and individuals who shared a vision for leadership on the North Olympic Peninsula. I discovered the common denominator in all these efforts was Katherine Baril.”

Ms. Baril states, “It is a wonderful thing to see a dream transformed into reality. The 2008-2009 PEAK Leadership Program was just the beginning. If the PEAK Program continues at its present rate of community participation and support, then I expect this effort will continue well into the future. The 2009-2010 PEAK Leadership Program is just the next step toward enhancing the leadership capacity of Clallam and Jefferson Counties and realizing our regions greatest and richest leadership potential.”

Like Murray, Calhoun, and Parker are also graduates of AgForestry, which the statewide p rogram has also offered its endorsement of the PEAK Leadership effort. Both McGinty and Gannet are members of the first graduating class of PEAK Leaders.

Ms. Gannett said her 10-month experience as a PEAK Leader is what motivated her to continue her participation as a member of the PEAK Board.  “I want everyone to experience what I have through the PEAK Program. It broadened and added dimension to my perspectives of the North Olympic Peninsula; some assumptions were tossed out, while new insights and knowledge enhanced what I already thought we knew. Sharing the challenges and gifts of each community has been both inspirational and aspirational.

“The network of colleagues and friends that I gained through the PEAK Leadership Program inspires the possibilities of dialogue and collaboration to resolve the mutual concerns of each of the unique communities of our region. Having listened and learned from each other, it’s exhilarating to think of our working together, each bringing a unique perspective, to meet the challenges of region. This is something want to see this program continue and for many generations to come,” Gannet said.

Ms. McGinty claims the PEAK Leadership Program transformed her life, helped her to appreciate the importance of being involved in her local community, and gave her the confidence to launch her own business. She is excited about serving on the PEAK Board, but she is especially looking forward to inspiring future PEAK Leaders as they too become more aware of what they can accomplish as leaders in their own communities.

In addition to oversight by the PEAK Board, the original Advisory Committee has agreed to maintain its role through 2010. The advisory committee, comprised of of key decision makers in the two county region, has been with PEAK since its inception in March 2008. Turissini notes, “This group has not only provided valuable insights and advice, but they were also instrumental in helping to sustain the first year program, including offering technical support, program sponsorships, and direct involvement as speakers and hosts. I’m thrilled to have their continued support!”

The PEAK Leadership Advisory Committee

1. +Katherine Baril, Port Townsend, director, WSU Jefferson County Extension and EDC Team Jefferson
2. *Susan Bauer, Sequim, director, Peninsula Development District
3. John Brewer, Port Angeles, publisher, Peninsula Daily News
4. Larry Crockett, Port Townsend, Executive Director, Port of Port Townsend
5. Vic Dirksen, Port Townsend, CEO, Jefferson Healthcare
6. Eric Lewis, Port Angeles, CEO, Olympic Medical Ctr.
7. Kyle Montgomery, Port Ludlow, Expeditors-Seattle
8. Thomas Opstad, Port Townsend, Superintendent, Port of Port Townsend
9. +Meri Parker, Neah Bay, President, Ozett Associates, LLC
10. Bruce Paul, Forks, co-owner, Forks Outfitter, Forks Chamber President
11. Linda Rotmark, Port Angeles, Executive Director, Clallam Co. EDC
12. Michelle Sandoval, Port Townsend, mayor, City of Port Tow nsend
13. *Samantha Trone, Port Angeles, review planning engineer, City of Port Townsend
14. +Bill Wise, Port Townsend, chair, EDC Team Jefferson

(Newer committee members noted by an asterisk . A “+” indicates the person was a part of the original advisory committee but now serves on the board of directors)

The “PEAK” in Leadership stands for Purposeful, Effective, Authentic and the Keystone of quality leaders. The objective of the program is to invest in leadership that comprehends the complexities and interconnectivity of our North Olympic Peninsula communities. The program accomplishes this through a series of 10, once-a-month community- or topic- focused learning sessions held on site, at different locations throughout the two-county region. The program is geared toward those who want to increase their personal and professional development, as well as gain a deeper appreciation of others and the skills and dynamics of collaborative leadership. The enhanced leadership skills acquired through participation in the PEAK program benefits employers, businesses, governments, organizations, local communities, the region, and beyond.

Up to 25 participants will be selected for the PEAK Leadership Class of 2010. Those interested in participating this year must submit their application by the end of the workday, Mon., August 3, in order to guarantee consideration for 2009-2010. Final selections for 2009-2010 will be announced in late August. Application forms are available for download at http://peakleadershipnw.net/apply-peak-2010, or upon request to info@peakleadershipnw.net or (360) 301-4134.