Board of Directors

Bob Lloyd-President

Stephanie Clark-Vice President
Stephanie lives in Okanogan with her husband Bob, also a board member. Stephanie is very active in the agricultural community. She is in charge of the Okanogan Farmers Market, is a board member for Columbiana Publications,and is active with several arts organizations including the Confluence Gallery and Okanogan County Artists Association. Stephanie is a teacher and child care specialist.

Louis Picard-Treasurer
Louis is a member of the Colville Tribe and has been active in the management of Tribal timber resources. He is interested in working collaboratively to further the economic possibilities in the region. Louis is a board member of the Colville Tribal Enterprises Corporation.

Keith Roe-Treasurer

Moon Mullens-Member at Large

Staff

E. Michael Ferris - Executive Director
Michael has worked as a Planning Consultant for 30 years. He has worked in both public and private agencies and is experienced at working with multiple agencies with differing priorities, building consensus, and developing cooperative strategies. He has lived in the Methow Valley for four years and is active with several nonprofit organizations including Cascadia, Mentoring, and the United Methodist Church. He holds a Masters Degree from the University of Washington.
mikef@mymethow.com

Chris Eliassen-Grants Management
Chris is providing general accounting and grant administration services to OCDC. She is a life-long resident of the Okanogan and Methow Valleys. Chris moved to Twisp in 1972 after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Bacteriology and Public Health from Washington State University. She worked in the medical technology field for several years while raising a family and
enjoying life in the Methow Valley. With changing times and opportunities, Chris altered course and developed skills in office and financial management, and now operates a business providing services in these and other areas. She has worked for nearly two and a half years as consultant to Okanogan County Water Resources in grant management. During that time, Chris also worked with the Partnership for a Sustainable Methow in general accounting and payroll. She enjoys many outdoor activities - tennis, mountain biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, golf, as well as photography, water color, home improvement, history, and travel. tennis1@methow.com

Rebecca Harwood, - Communications
Rebecca has worked as a social worker for many years. Currently, she assists several nonprofit organizations in grants writing. She also volunteers at the senior center and is involved in video taping life stories and family histories. She is a musician and is active in the artistic community in the Methow Valley teaching music at a small private school and performing in various venues in the area. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work. beckyh@mymethow.com

Lorah Waters - Program
Lorah is working with Mike Ferris as a Project Assistant on the Roundwood Demonstration Project. Lorah is the steward of 40 acres of Ponderosa Pine/sagebrush and solar powered homestead in the French Creek drainage of the Methow Valley. She has a bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Policy and Management Studies from the University of Michigan, with emphasis on Conservation Biology and Environmental Education. Lorah is the founder and coordinator for two recent initiatives in Okanogan County: the Renewable Energy Access Project and the Methow Forest Owner‚s Cooperative. Both projects aim to do practical work towards sustainable solutions to Okanogan county‚s energy and forest health issues, and have achieved initial success. In her ample spare time, Lorah trains service dogs for the disabled and creates hand crafted gemstone beads. lorah@nwi.net