Board of Trustees
A Board of Trustees, appointed by the Governor of the State of Washington for five-year terms, governs Everett Community College. The Board meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the Board conference room on the second floor of Olympus Hall. The meetings are open to the public. For information regarding meetings, agenda and board actions call the Office of the President at 425-388-9572.
Thomas L. Gaffney of Everett was appointed by Governor Gary Locke in February 2002. Gaffney is a partner and past managing partner in the Everett office of Moss Adams LLP. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington and is an Everett Junior College alumnus. Gaffney currently serves on the Board of Trustees of EverTrust Bank and Providence General Medical Center. Gaffney has been a past member of the boards of the Snohomish County Boys & Girls Clubs, Everett Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Snohomish County Visiting Nurse Association. He is a former chair of the Snohomish County Economic Development Council and served as co-chair of Ascent 21. In 1996 Gaffney was honored by the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce as "Corporate Citizen of the Year." In 1988, he received the "President's Award" from the Economic Development Council of Snohomish County. Thomas Gaffney is Chair of the Board for 2005-2006.
Gene L. Chase of Arlington was appointed by Governor Gary Locke in April 2000. He is the owner of C&C Contracting in Arlington, WA. Chase holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry from the University of Washington and an Associate of Arts Degree from Everett Junior College. He is a former Snohomish County Fire Commissioner, former member of the Arlington School Board, a member of the North Snohomish County Rotary Club, and a member of the Everett Community College Foundation Board. Chase also serves as the University of Washington Alumni Association College of Forestry President. In 2001 Mr. Chase was appointed the Vice Chair of the Trustees Association for Community and Technical Colleges Legislative Steering Committee, and was Chair of the EvCC Board of Trustees for 2002-2003.
James Shipman was appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire in September 2005. Shipman, of Snohomish, received his associate’s degree from Everett Community College and is a former EvCC Associated Student Body president. After graduating from EvCC, Shipman attended the University of Washington, and then earned his law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane. He is a partner at the law office of Podrasky & Shipman in Everett. Shipman has served as the Chair of the Regulatory Committee of the Snohomish County Citizens Cabinet since 2003 and also sits on the Snohomish County Priorities of Government Committee. Shipman's term of service is October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2010. He replaces Sanford Kinzer, who retired from the Board after serving from 2000-2005.
Nancy Truitt Pierce of Monroe was appointed by Governor Gary Locke in September 1998 and re-appointed in 1999 for a full term. Ms. Truitt Pierce served as Chair of the Board in 2000-2001. She is the Founder and President of Woods Creek Consulting Company in Monroe, WA. She holds a bachelor's degree in Human Development from The Evergreen State College and an Associate of Science degree in Math from Bellevue Community College. With South Seattle Community College Truitt Pierce was the Director of the Supervision and Management Program, Women’s Programs and the Displaced Homemaker Center. She also managed the Small Business Institute for the Seattle Community College District before entering the consulting business. She has also served as President of the SSCC Foundation Board, and as a member of the Northwest Venture Group, Seraph Capital Forum and Washington Biotechnical and Biomedical Association.
Dr. Betty Cobbs of Everett was appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire in March 2009. Dr. Cobbs is the Director of Human Resources for Everett Public Schools, focusing on K-12 teacher development and recruitment. She has worked in Everett Public Schools for more than 30 years, spending the first nine years of her career as a classroom teacher before moving into administration and serving as a school principal for 25 years. She has a bachelor's degree in education and master's degree in administration from Western Washington University and a doctorate from the University of Washington in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Dr. Cobbs is a Civil Service Commissioner for the City of Everett and a member of the board of directors for Volunteers of America Western Washington. In 1993, she was named "Woman of the Year" by the Business & Professional Women, Inc. of Snohomish County. She has also served as a member of boards for the Imagine Children’s Museum, Everett Parks and Recreation, Northwest Regional Educational Lab, Everett Performing Arts Theater, Everett Youth Symphony, Luther Child Center, and PTA.
