Advisors

Teri K. Johnson-Davis, Director, Yakama Nation Economic Development - Teri was hired on as the Economic Development Director with the Yakama Nation in March of 2002. Teri acts as a Liaison to the Yakama Nation Tribal Council and advises the Overall Economic Development and Planning [OEDP] Committee on Economic Development Projects and Diversification, Feasibility Studies, New Enterprise Development Projects, and serves on various Boards and Committees.

Blaine R. Thorington, Member, Toppenish City Council - Blaine has served on the Toppenish City Council for nine years, 2 of those years as Mayor-Pro Tem and 2 years as Mayor. Blaine has also served five years as the President of the School District Classified Union consisting of 180 members.

Vickie Ybarra, President, Yakima School District Board of Directors - Vickie Ybarra was appointed to fill a vacated position on the Yakima School District Board of Directors in June 2002 and won election to the board in November 2003.

Jesse S. Palacios, Commissioner, Yakima County Commissioners – Jesse Palacios served on the Grandview City Council from 1985 to 1991 and as the Mayor of Grandview from 1991 – 1998. He was elected to serve as a Yakima County Commissioner in 1999.

Hon. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney, State Representative, Washington State House of Representatives – She has been elected and served in the state legislature for four terms representing the 46th District in north Seattle since 1976.

Miguel Puente, Director, Sunnyside School District Board of Directors - Miguel was appointed to the Sunnyside School District Board of Directors on January 2003 and served until July 2003. He was subsequently elected to the Sunnyside School District Board of Directors on November 2005.

Clara R. Jimenez, Member, Toppenish City Council - Clara was first elected in 1997 and has served two terms on the Toppenish City Council. She also served two years as the Mayor-Elect and two years as the Mayor of Toppenish. She is currently serving a third term on the council.

Jesse Farias, Mayor, City of Wapato - Jesse retired from state government after serving in senior executive positions for over thirty years. He was appointed to the Wapato City Council in 2003. He was elected Mayor in 2004. He serves on numerous boards and commissions ranging from salmon recovery to economic development.