Our Board

Our committed volunteers from our community are proud to help leave a legacy for Port Angeles visitors and residents to enjoy for decades to come.

“To me, Field Hall means the opportunity of a lifetime for the community I love.”

Bio

Outside of his career, Brooke Taylor is passionate about community. He served 16 years on the YMCA Board of Directors and was a founding member and former President of the Peninsula College Foundation. In 1998, Brooke was honored with the Clallam County Community Service Award.

A native of Clallam County and graduate of Port Angeles High School, Brooke Taylor earned a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University, and Juris Doctor Degree from University of Virginia School of Law.

Mr. Taylor practiced law for 38 years in Clallam County, including one term as Prosecuting Attorney. He finished his career in law as Superior Court Judge, a position he was elected to three times. Brooke was elected to serve as President of the 30,000-member Washington State Bar Association in 2005-2006.

“Field Hall will provide an iconic building, reflecting the Olympic Peninsula’s natural beauty, that will serve as a central gathering venue for residents and visitors to participate in and enjoy a wide range of performing and visual arts and community events.”

Bio

Originally from New Mexico, Judith Marek Morris has had the privilege of moving around the country and the world following her husband’s career. As a result, Judith’s work history is widely varied. Most recently, Judith served on the staff for Congressman Norm Dicks and Congressman Derek Kilmer. She retired from this position in January 2017. Judith currently serves as President of the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center Board of Directors and serves on the PA Forward committee.

Judith is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer having served in Malawi. She was a cultural resource specialist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Bristol Bay for six years, served as Executive Director of the Grant County Travel Council in Utah, and worked as Community Liaison Officer for the US Embassy in Lusaka, Zambia.

Judith earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Sonoma State University and a Master of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Denver

“What Field Hall means to me is that residents and visitors on the North Olympic Peninsula will have access to a world class facility for the performing and fine arts that will provide an ongoing economic stimulus for our community.”

Bio

Jeanne is a Certified Public Accountant who operated her own tax accounting practice in Sequim for 17 years. She is semi-retired now, mainly working with nonprofit organizations, and she remains as a principal with Cunha & Martin CPAs. Jeanne volunteers much of her free time in the community.

In addition to serving as Treasurer of PAWC, she is Treasurer of the Peninsula College Foundation. She was a co-founder of the Sequim Education Foundation in 2001. She served on the Board of the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center for many years and was honored to be designated Trustee Emeritus.

Prior to having her own tax practice in Sequim, Jeanne served as Controller and Chief Financial officer with Tech Sector companies in the San Francisco Bay Area with $30 million to $100 Million in annual revenues. She has extensive experience in finance and administration, including risk management, information systems, intellectual property protection, and a $50M initial public offering of an information systems service bureau.

Jeanne earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from California State University East Bay and a she holds a Master of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University.

Jeanne enjoys international travel with her husband Corby Somerville, or just spending time at home with their two cats.

“Field Hall is about an entire community coming together to embrace and realize something that is bigger than any one of us. The Waterfront Center will allow current and future generations of our community to proudly celebrate this shining gem of the Pacific Northwest.”

Bio

Born and raised in Port Angeles, Christopher Thomsen graduated Port Angeles High School in 1976 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Saint Martin’s University.

Immediately after graduation, Christopher co-founded and managed a chemical laboratory and manufacturer in Olympia. In 1986, Christopher married Lisa Hille and shortly afterwards, moved to and lived in New Orleans for three years, Kansas City for 26 years and he is now back “home” in Port Angeles.

Christopher has founded or co-founded five different companies and has been awarded two U.S. Patents for his invention of the community and outpatient pharmacy robotic system. Christopher continues to manage The ThomsenGroup Inc., where he is the Founder and President, and Capsa Healthcare where he is a Partner and Vice President.

Christopher Thomsen returned to Port Angeles with the goal of jumping in with both feet, getting his hands dirty, and being able to contribute his creativity, energy, and experience to help others and to make good things happen. He believes that Port Angeles will reach its full potential and become the shining gem that it deserves. Christopher has numerous local affiliations including the Chamber of Commerce, Port Angeles Visitor’s Center, the Port Angeles Education Foundation, North Olympic History Center, North Olympic Land Trust, Jazz in the Olympics, the Port Angeles Waterfront Center, and the National Alumni Board for Saint Martin’s University.

“It’s my pleasure to be part of a project which will enhance the beautiful Port Angeles waterfront, give artists a place to display their talents and audiences another opportunity to enjoy them. I share the hope that this project will be a boon to the community economically as well.”

Bio

Dorothy Field’s passion for performing arts has been apparent through her involvement in music – in one form or another – since her elementary school days. Dorothy has accompanied choral groups and soloists, both instrumental and vocal. She has sung with a number of choral groups, often as a soloist and was an accompanist for a vocal studio and ballet studio. Highlights of Dorothy’s musical career include traveling to various parts of the United States and Europe. One choral group performed a long-lost Rachmaninoff mass that had been performed only once in Russia and subsequently banned.

After graduating from the University of Oregon, Dorothy taught English in a high school in the Portland area and was a counselor there, as well as Director of Student Activities. She moved to the Santa Clara Valley of California (now called “Silicon Valley”) and joined the faculty of a junior college as an English teacher and counselor. She became a member of Junior League in the Bay Area, an organization primarily focused on community service.

Later in life, Dorothy worked in real estate and banking and sat on the Board of Directors of two banks and one junior college.

Currently, Dorothy enjoys volunteering her time on the Board of Directors for the Port Angeles Education Foundation and the Port Angeles Waterfront Center.

“I’m so excited about Field Hall. I believe it will be a gathering place for all the families of Port Angeles to enjoy our beautiful city while they participate in or watch arts and music events. I also believe it will be the beginning of the transformation of our beautiful downtown. People that visit will be in awe of what we have to offer.”

Bio

Dan began his career in the car business in 1966 as a parts delivery boy for a VW dealer in California. In 1977 Dan and Sally, his wife of 53 years, had the opportunity to move to Port Angeles, Washington to buy a car dealership of their own. At the age of 28, he became the second youngest Volkswagen dealer in the United States. Dan attended Corban University from 1970-1974 and was recognized as Alumni of the Year in 2007. Dan later served on the Corban University Board of Trustees.

Wilder Auto Group employs about 120 people including his daughter, Tami Rose, son Dan Wilder, Jr., and son-in-law Dale Rose. Also, as part of their benefit package, Wilder employees can send their children to Peninsula College with up to two years paid tuition.

Dan and his family have been attending Independent Bible Church in Port Angeles where he has served on the IBC Church Elder Board for 38 years. In 1995, Governor Lowry appointed Dan to the Peninsula College Board of Trustees. He was later reappointed to the Board by Governor Locke. He was President of Washington State Auto Dealer Association, and later recognized by Time magazine in 2010 as its Washington State Dealer of the Year. Dan has been actively involved in the community for over 30 years, volunteering his time at Olympic Memorial Hospital Foundation fundraisers, Senior Babe Ruth Baseball organization, and Young Life of Clallam County among others.

“I am inspired by the forward progress of PAWC. The Field Hall project directly results in a positive economic infusion through the conversion of underutilized vacant parking lots into a vibrant community activity center. The conference center component will create a new venue capturing new economic growth year-round, but, most importantly in the winter season. The campus approach transforms a key location of our Downtown into a property full of arts, culture, sciences and environmental stewardship all of which further enable our local businesses to thrive.”

Bio

In his free time, Nathan West enjoys time with his wife, children and their many animals, and working on home projects. Nathan is currently the City Manager for the City of Port Angeles. Prior to taking this position Nathan was responsible for the Community and Economic Development Department of the City. Before coming to the Port Angeles area, Nathan managed the Policy Development Section of the Cayman Islands Government Planning Department.

In Washington State Nathan has worked creatively to address regulatory requirements and land use barriers. In the Caymans, Nathan was part of the Governor’s Vision 2008 Round Table developing a strategy for the sustainable development in multiple community assessments including American Institute of Architects Sustainable Design Assessment Teams (SDAT) and Your Town Design Workshops for jurisdictions throughout the U.S.

Nathan earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Willamette University and a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Tennessee. Nathan is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

“I am hopeful that past and present Clallam County residents will invest in Field Hall, which will be a monumental anchor for our region.”

Bio

Gail’s story starts with her parents June and F. MacRae Thomson who moved to Port Angeles in 1960. Mac was the mill manager for Peninsula Plywood and an influential leader. Beyond providing jobs, the mill provided a sense of pride for many Peninsula residents, including Gail’s family and her husband’s relatives. With the falling of the mill stack, Gail is hopeful that new waterfront development will trigger the continuation of the mill’s legacy, provide a sense of pride, and improve the economic conditions of the community.

As Co-Chair of PAWC’s Capital Campaign, Gail is organizing fundraising efforts and educating people on the importance and value of the center to the community.

Gail sits on the Hospital Foundation Board of Directors where her primary role is fundraising. To many, she is known as a top duck seller, selling tickets for the Peninsula Duck Derby. She was instrumental in creating the Teddy Bear Tea and has chaired multiple committees for the Festival of Trees. Gail co-founded a Port Angeles Children’s Hospital Guild, which raised money to assist with the payment of care at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Gail is a graduate of Western Washington University and works as an Assistant Appraiser for Clallam County with 23 years of experience. She is married with three children and three grandchildren. She enjoys swimming in Lake Crescent, traveling the world, caring for others, and continuing her own education through music, lectures, and conferences.

“Field Hall is a singular opportunity to serve the residents of Port Angles and the surrounding area for today and generations to come. I am grateful to Donna Morris for her generosity and vision for this facility for the arts in the community that we love.”

Bio

Deborah Frazier retired from Peninsula College after a career in public service working for federal, state, county, and municipal governments in a variety of roles. At Peninsula College, Deb served as Vice President for Finance and Administration for 11 years with responsibility for construction and building operations, finance and accounting, Human Resources, information technology, emergency preparedness, and institutional research. During this period, Deb oversaw a $125 million transformation of the College campuses in Port Angeles, Forks, and Port Townsend with the replacement of 82% of the college’s existing 310,000 square footage, and the addition of more than 25,000 new square feet.

Deborah enjoys reading and learning, swimming, biking, hiking and simply living on the beautiful North Olympic Peninsula.

Our Board

Brooke Taylor

Judith Morris

Jeanne Martin

Christopher Thomsen

Dorothy Field

Dan Wilder, Sr.

Nathan West

Gail Ralston

Deborah Frazier

project Leadership

Design

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