Everett Community College

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 Tuesday 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.

Gigi Burke of Everett was appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire in January 2010. She is a local businesswoman with 20 years of business leadership experience. She previously was an owner and vice president of Crown Distributing from 1989 to 2007. Burke has also served as a Washington State Regional Transportation Commissioner, and was a member of the Washington Beer and Wine Wholesaler’s Association (President 2003-2005), Snohomish County Executive Advisory Board, City of Everett Charter Review Committee, and Mountain Pacific Bank Board of Trustees. She’s a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Snohomish County Board of Trustees, Greater Everett Community Foundation Board, Providence Regional Medical Center General Children’s Association Guild, and the South Everett/Mukilteo Rotary. She previously served as the Everett Public Schools Foundation President (1999-2001) and was a member of the YMCA Board of Trustees. She is the recipient of the University of Puget Sound’s National Alumni Association’s Lifetime Alumni Achievement award, Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award, and the Washington Association of School Administrators Community Leadership Award.

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.

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.

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.

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.