Leadership Spokane Alumni Board
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Tami Dillon, Chair
Tami Dillon, Class of 2019, works for the non-profit Skils’kin. While originally from the west side of the state, Tami has called the Inland Northwest home for 20 years. As a mother of three boys, she is driven to make the greater Spokane area as vibrant and inclusive as possible. Tami is eager to serve on the Alumni Board and create more dialogue about how we can all plug into our community.
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Ryan Smith, Vice Chair
Ryan Smith, Class of 2018, is the Director of Field Operations for Ravenswood Solutions (a TECH Co. & subsidiary of SRI International) and works on defense related work around the globe. In the Army Reserves, Colonel Smith currently serves as the Commander of the 420th Engineer Brigade with over 3000+ Soldiers in 6 states. Ryan is originally from Ione, Washington, and returned to Spokane area after 8 years on Active Duty to raise his two girls. Ryan also serves as a board member for the Spokane County Veterans Advisory Board and member of the Pacific Norwest PMP group. He is a proud WSU Grad with a B.S. in Forestry (GO COUGS!) and has a Master’s from both Missouri Science & Technology in Geology & Geophysics, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
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Brandon Crane, Secretary
Brandon Crane, Class of 2019, is a Spokane and eastern Washington native growing up on the south hill and in Pullman around his grandparent’s wheat farm. He’s a graduate from SFCC and WSU and serves the Spokane community as a mechanical engineer for FSi Engineers, a member of the Inland Northwest chapter of ASHRAE, a den leader for his local scout pack, and a member of the Leadership Spokane Alumni Association.
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Kelli Demarest
Kelli Stewart Demarest, Class of 2016, has a passion for continued involvement in Leadership Spokane. She loves the relationships built and personal growth she has experienced through LS. She is a veteran Career and Technical Education teacher, currently teaching Graphic Design and acting as the Worksite Learning Coordinator at Ridgeline High School in the Central Valley School District. She has a previous eight-year career as the senior accountant for Gesa Credit Union in Richland, Washington. Kelli has been married to her high school sweetheart for 29 years. She loves her family which includes her husband, two adult daughters, son-in-law, two Boston Terriers, and of course her extended family. You will find her cheering for her two alma maters WSU and Gonzaga!
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Britt DeTienne
Britt DeTienne, Class of 2019, is the Marketing and Communications Manager at the Spokane International Airport. He is originally from Wichita, Kansas and has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the University of Kansas. In addition to the Alumni Board, he also serves on the Leadership Spokane Board. Britt and his wife Tiffany live in Spokane.
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Korin Michielli
Korin Michielli, Class of 2021, is the development director at Joya Child & Family Development. She is a proud graduate of Eastern Washington University (GO EAGS) and a lifelong Spokane resident. Korin enjoys giving back to her community and is excited to continue to build relationships through Leadership Spokane’s Alumni Board. Korin lives in Spokane Valley with her husband, son and two fur puppies.
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Patty Shea
Patty Shea, Class of 2003, is a Spokane native. She retired from Avista Utilities in 2019 after a 39-year career and immediately transitioned into starting her own business. She is owner of, Patty Shea Consulting, LLC, “Fixer of the Tough Stuff.” She is a private pilot, motorcycle enthusiast, still loves driving her first car, a 1969 XR7 Cougar, and is finalizing the publication of her first book!
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Whit Spencer
Whit Spencer, Class of 2018, has lived in Spokane for 40 years. A former Army Cavalry Scout, Whit serves the community as a Fire Equipment Operator and Paramedic for Spokane County Fire District 9. Whit also mobilizes to many of the wildfires in our region as a Logistics Section Chief with an all hazard incident management team. Whit is also a recent graduate of Whitworth University with a BA degree in Public Administration. During his time off from work Whit enjoys heading outdoors and can usually be found untying a knot in a fly line along one of our local rivers. Elysia Spencer, Class of 2016, and Whit have been married for 18 years and have two children, William (12), and Nicole (8).
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Jason Verduzco
Jason Verduzco, Class of 2021, is the Verizon Public Policy and Community Affairs Director for Eastern Washington and Idaho. He started his career with the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in California and later moved to Spokane where he accepted a position with Bonneville Power Administration. Four years ago Verduzco moved into the wireless industry to work with Local and State Agencies to develop small cell deployment processes, wireless ordinances, and partnership agreements to help cities and communities access and develop technology.
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Jen Westra
Jen Westra, Class of 2020 (GOATs!), is the founder and coach at Life on Purpose Coaching. She loves being involved in the community and also serves on the boards of Spokane Public Radio and Girls on the Run. She lives with her husband and two cats and can often be found running or finding a sunny spot to enjoy a good book.