Jeff Pleet, President
Jeff Pleet has enjoyed an over 30-year career in financial services, currently employed by Edward Jones. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce and previously as President of the Skagit Valley College Foundation, the Board of the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce, and as Past President of the Board of the Northwest Washington Estate Planning Council. As Jeff sees it, the role of the EDC, is to promote the amazing community and geographic setting of Island County while striving to secure new opportunities for rational growth. He believes we can look for creative, collaborative solutions for our challenges while looking forward to enhancing our common economic goals.
Marie Shimada, Vice President
Marie grew up on south Whidbey and brings a wealth of experience in the community advocacy sector. Before her role as the Reserve Manager of Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, she spent years in the nonprofit sector, ultimately creating a niche for herself in the farmland preservation field. She also serves on the inaugural Advisory Board of the Maritime WA National Heritage Area and is a founding member of the Agricultural Resources Committee of Island County. Marie is a graduate of the University of Washington and University of San Diego School of Law, as well as the local Leadership Whidbey program, and she has a professional certificate in Diversity and Inclusion Leadership from Cornell.
Ozell Jackson, Treasurer
Ozell Jackson grew up in Oak Harbor. Upon graduating from Oak Harbor High School, he moved to the Seattle area to study at the University of Washington. Later he began a career in mortgage banking. As a community development manager, he partnered with several different organizations. Through these partnerships, he helped implement programs supporting home ownership for tribal members and new immigrants. He also focused on programs that help people afford to live and work in the same city.
Ozell understands the benefits of growing up on the Island. In 2013, he returned to Oak Harbor so his two children could have the same experience. Now, he’s focused on giving back to the community that has given him so much.
Currently, Ozell works as a mortgage originator for CMG Mortgage, Inc. ("CMG"). He also serves as an Opportunity Council board member and is a Habitat for Humanity volunteer.
Michelle Callihan, Secretary
Michelle Callihan is the Assistant Director of Community Libraries for Sno-Isle Libraries. She has a Master of Library and Information Science from Syracuse University and a BA in Business Management from Western Washington University. Michelle has served entrepreneurs and small business owners through her work on the Business Services Team at Sno-Isle Libraries. She was the President of the Granite Falls Chamber of Commerce and an Ambassador for the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County prior to working on Whidbey Island. Michelle is committed to helping connect the business community with resources to support economic growth and vitality.
George Henny, Member at Large
George Henny is Co-CEO of Whidbey Telecom and is a 35-year veteran in the telecom and technology fields. He is passionate about change and motivating people to discover how to empower, enhance and inspire people and companies to thrive in their communities. George is highly entrepreneurial and enjoys sharing insights on technology innovation with leaders, changing company culture, and being proudly different. In his role, he provides vision and strategy for business and technology. He holds a BA in Drama and an MBA from the University of Washington, and has served on numerous community boards. He is a featured performer in local theatrical and film productions. George is proud to be a Rotarian since 1993 and has served as president of the South Whidbey and Whidbey Westside Rotary Clubs.
Lynda Eccles
Lynda Eccles is the Executive Director of the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce and has lived in Coupeville for 15 years. Born and raised in England, Lynda and her family moved to the United States in 1977 to Richland, Washington for 8 years and in Escondido Ca until moving here to Whidbey Island. Lynda has served two terms on the EDC, she also served on the Coupeville Festival Assoc Board and is now on the Island County Tourism Board and the newly formed Coupeville Creative District. She also serves on the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Associations Economic Vitality and Design Committees. Lynda feels that through a strong partnership and our individual community resources, we can all play a role in strengthening and supporting the business community on Whidbey.
Brandon Ericson
Brandon Ericson is a committed entrepreneur and community leader in Island County, Washington. He owns Camano Commons Marketplace, a bustling French bakery, espresso shop, ice cream parlor, and gift shop. Beyond his business, Brandon serves as President of the Camano Island Chamber of Commerce and as a board member for the Freedom Park Association.
Brian Heinrich
Brian is the Local Government Affairs representative with PSE. Previously, he was the Deputy Administrator for the City of Bellingham and has worked in higher education, managing national service programs and communications, and has a background in nonprofit fundraising. Brian and his wife, Angie, have two children. Brian is originally from Colorado and has a degree in Political Science from Colorado State University.
Mayor Kennedy Horstman
Kennedy Horstman has lived on Whidbey Island since 2008 and in Langley since 2021 where she is serving her first term as mayor. Kennedy’s professional experience, primarily as a tech sector leader and more recently as a management consultant, has spanned non-profits, multi-national corporations and startups. While being a mayor keeps her pretty busy, she is excited to serve on the EDC board because economic development is critical to ensuring our island community thrives.
Mayor Molly Hughes
Molly Hughes has lived in Coupeville for 30 years, raised two sons here and served in many nonprofit positions, mainly the Coupeville Lions and Gifts from the Heart Food bank, both for over 20 years. Molly served on the Coupeville Town Council for 12 years and is currently serving her third term as Mayor. Molly has been a member of the EDC Board since 2018 and enjoys working with elected and business leaders to strengthen the economic vitality and sustainability of Island County. As partners we can bring more funding, training and opportunities to our Island County business community.
Todd Morrow
Todd E. Morrow is a graduate of Stanford University, University of Washington School of Law, and the Dan Evans School of Public Administration at the University of Washington. He is a 23-year transit industry veteran. Throughout his career, he has worked to promote public transportation at the local, state, and federal level. Morrow, formerly Island Transit’s Executive Director, brings a wealth of experience to his role serving as a leader in the public, private and non-profit sectors. In his role as Island Transit’s Executive Director, Morrow helped the agency weather the pandemic, expanded the agencies dedication to safety, successfully secure increased funding for capital improvement projects including the installation of solar panels on the Camano and Coupeville Transit Facilities, and guided the agency through the interagency process of moving towards a ZERO emission fleet. He currently serves as the President of the Washington State Transportation Association’s (WSTA) Board of Directors and continues to be an integral part of The Bus Coalition, serving as the Treasurer. Morrow believes transit is an integral part of the community, providing residents access to opportunities, and a means to reduce their carbon footprint and improve their environment.
Dave Paul
Dr. Dave Paul has served in higher education for over 25 years. Dave has worked at Skagit Valley College since 2008 and is currently the Director of Community Relations and teaches American Government. Dave has served on the Board of Directors for the Oak Harbor Educational Foundation since 2009. Dave was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives in November 2018, and his work focuses on education, workforce training, transportation, and community development. Dave and his wife, Rachel Anderson-Paul, have four children and live in Oak Harbor.
Skagit Valley College Representative, 10th Legislative District
Scott Price
Scott Price brings a background in team management, product development, marketing, and corporate strategy. He has worked with tech related organizations that span large multi-national corporations, small startups, government/military, consulting, and self-employed. He later began transitioning his focus toward real estate investing, which is his current business focus. He also created and leads the local nonprofit Price Sculpture Forest in Coupeville. Scott has a Human Factors Engineering degree from Tufts University. He lives in Coupeville with his wife and daughter. He also previously participated on the Boards of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, Coupeville Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations.
Janet St. Clair, Ex-Officio
Janet St. Clair was elected as Island County Commissioner District 3 on November 6, 2018, beginning her term in 2019. She was re-elected in 2022 and is serving her second term.
As a social worker, Janet spent 30 years working to build resiliency and healing for children and families. She worked on programs including child welfare, behavioral health, early childhood development, employment, as well as refugee and immigrant assistance. She moved into executive level positions in nonprofits across the Puget Sound, managing multi-million dollar budgets and programs. Janet has B.A. and a M.S.W. from University of California, Berkeley. She retired from social work in 2016, becoming the first Executive Director for Sound Water Stewards using her experience in nonprofit management to help build capacity for this emerging environmental nonprofit. Janet and her husband reside on Camano Island, where they are active in the community and enjoy the recreational abundance of our islands and the beauty of the outdoors.
Brian Tyhuis, Ex-Officio
Brian Tyhuis is the Community Planning and Liaison Officer for Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island. He represents the installation regarding community engagement and encroachment management. He is a Whidbey Island native who grew up in Oak Harbor and is a graduate of Trinity Western University. Brian began working at NAS Whidbey Island in 2009 as a facility planner in the Public Works Department. Previously, Brian worked as a GIS Analyst for URS, in Albuquerque, New Mexico before returning to Whidbey Island.
Megan Wise
Megan has been with Heritage Bank since 1997. Prior to banking, she worked in management at Nordstrom in San Diego before transferring to the Downtown Seattle store. During her career with Heritage, she’s held positions as a credit analyst, private banking officer and commercial banking officer. She manages the south Whidbey Island commercial banking team and takes care of commercial customers in the Oak Harbor and Coupeville areas. She originates commercial loans and coordinates treasury management services for local businesses, both large and small. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce and the Board of the Economic Development Council for Island County. She is also an avid supporter of the WhidbeyHealth Foundation, Oak Harbor Boys and Girls Club, Rotary Club, Coupeville Schools Booster Club and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County. Megan loves her community on Whidbey Island where she lives, works and plays with family and friends. She is an art enthusiast, enjoys photography and making jewelry.
Mayor Ronnie Wright
Ronnie became the managing partner of Pacific Grace Tax and Accounting in 2013 and the sole Owner in January of 2023. His accomplishments and success as a businessman have been exemplified by the firm’s growth and popularity. Additionally, the community of Oak Harbor has demonstrated their trust in Ronnie’s leadership abilities and integrity by repeatedly voting him Best of Whidbey’s Best Accountant and Best Businessperson.
Ronnie moved to Oak Harbor in 1996, after his 6-year enlistment with the United States Navy, where he was stationed in Guam and Whidbey Island. Upon being honorably discharged from the Navy, he began his academic career at Skagit Valley College, and then transferred to Western Washington University, where he earned his BA in Accounting. Ultimately, Ronnie earned an MBA, while working at the IRS.
He began his career working for Upchurch Scientific for a year, when he was recruited to work for the IRS. He was among the few who successfully passed a rigorous interview and was awarded his first position there as a Revenue Agent in 2003. He was promoted to other positions to include, Group Manager and Program Manager. Additionally, Ronnie was trained in the Senior Management Program, became a Certified Instructor, and wrote a Tax training curriculum.
Having a strong belief in service, Ronnie volunteers his time in a number of ways. He has served on the Board of Directors for Washington State Association of Accountants & Tax Professional (WAATP) for 5 years. He has also served on the Board Directors for the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce, as Treasurer & President. Ronnie has been a member of Rotary, and was a Mentor for JUMP, a juvenile mentoring program through Island County. Additionally, Ronnie occasionally does pro bono work for nonprofit organizations.
A family man, Ronnie has been married for 25 years. Ronnie’s greatest interests outside of work are spending time with family, reading, golfing, and listening to music.