Commissioners

U.S. Commissioners

Ken Wilcox (U.S. Co-Chair)

Ken works as an environmental and recreation planner in Bellingham for his own firm, Skookum Peak Consulting, which specializes in planning and design of regional trail systems, bikeways and greenway/open space networks.  He is also a writer and publisher, having produced several regional hiking guides to Northwest Washington from the San Juans to the North Cascades.  Ken is an avid hiker and mountaineer with a particular passion for the old trees and high meadows of the upper Skagit country.
Re-appointed most recently in November, 2008

Tom Brucker (Commissioner)

Tom's legal career has spanned thirty-seven years, much of which was spent in his own legal practice.  Tom joined the North Cascades Conservation Council in 1964 and has been a committed environmentalist ever since. He was a member of the original R.O.S.S. (Run Out Skagit Spoilers) Committee in 1974 whose actions paved the way for the negotiations leading to the 1984 Treaty. Tom also belongs to the Bicycle Alliance and takes extended biking trips in Europe with his wife Mary.

Re-appointed most recently in November, 2008.

Larry Campbell ( Commissioner)

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
Historic Preservation Officer, Intergovermental Relations,

Appointed in November, 2009.

James Hattori (Alternate Commissioner)

Mr. Hattori’s career has spanned the private, public, and non-profit sectors.  Educated in public affairs, he has focused his professional development in the financial management arena.   He has both worked for and advised the City of Seattle and it’s utilities departments.  Recently, he was Foundation and Corporate Grant Manager at the Seattle Symphony.  Jim has a strong interest in outdoor recreation and often passes through the upper Skagit watershed while traveling to the Winthrop area.

Appointed in November, 2008

Michelle Connor (Commissioner)

Ms. Connor is Senior Vice-president for Policy at the Cascade Land Conservancy, an organization devoted to the preservation of forest lands in the Puget Sound Basin.  She has advanced steadily at CLC since joining the organization in 1994.  Prior to that, Ms. Connor worked for four years at the Japan Consulate in Seattle.  She holds a Bachelor Arts from Evergreen College  and a Master of Science from the UW College of Forestry.  She has participated in several community service organizations in the central Puget Sound area.
Appointed in November, 2008

Jennifer Watkins (Alternate Commissioner)

Ms. Watkins holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the UW College of Forestry.  She has worked for several years for area non-profit organizations involved in natural resource conservation and education.  Ms. Watkins lives in Seattle and is currently employed by Conservation Northwest, tracking issues in the Wenatchee and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests.  She is on the Board of the Municipal League of King County and has volunteered with a variety of local groups.

Appointed in November, 2008

Timothy Manns (Alternate Commissioner)

Tim Manns’ career spans 34 years with the National Park Service.  From 1992-2006, Tim served as Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services for North Cascades National Park Service Complex.  In this capacity, he directed the Park’s educational and informational services and served as the Park’s Public Information Officer, volunteer coordinator, and co-chair of the Wilderness Committee.  In retirement, Tim volunteers for environmentally focused non-profit organizations and tutors English as a second language.  He holds a bachelors degree in history from Harvard University.

Alison Studley (Alternate Commissioner)

Alison has a graduate degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington. For the past eight years she has been Executive Director of the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group (SFEG), an organization dedicated to salmon restoration.  Alison has been a lifelong resident of the Skagit Valley. She enjoys river rafting, sea kayaking and hiking and believes strongly in preserving the beauty of the area for future generations.

Re-appointed most recently in November, 2009

CANADIAN COMMISSIONERS

Peter Kennedy (Canadian Co-Chair)

Peter is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of BC. He has been practising general law in Chilliwack and Hope since 1975. Past positions include Chair of the BC Health Association and Trustee of Fraser Canyon Hospital. Peter enjoys hiking, camping, cross country skiing and cycling in his spare time.

Re-appointed most recently in January, 2008

Lex Bennett(Commissioner)

Lex is a banker and investment adviser whose strong financial skills are a proven asset to the Commission. He has lived with his family in the Hope area for the past eighteen years and enjoys hiking and kayaking in the Skagit and vacationing at his cabin at Mayne Island in his spare time.

Re-appointed most recently in December, 2007

Pete Caverhill (Commissioner)

Pete began fishing for trout at the age of fifteen and has been involved with fish in one capacity or another ever since. He started work as a fish and wildlife technician for the Province of British Columbia and recently retired as a senior regional fisheries biologist after thirty -five years in recreational and conservational fisheries management. He is the current president of the BC Federation of Fly Fishers and can be found casting for cutthroat off the saltwater beaches or rainbow trout in the Skagit as often as life permits.

Re-appointed most recently in March, 2007

Ken Farquharson (Commissioner)

Ken Farquharson's first visit to the Upper Skagit Valley was in 1960 and he has been a tireless advocate ever since. He was a member of the Run Out Skagit Spoilers (R.O.S.S.) Committee from 1968-1983 and has considerable expertise in BC land issues. A former civil engineer, Ken's favorite hobbies are hiking, camping and nature observation.

Re-appointed most recently in March, 2007

Shaun D. Hollingsworth (Alternate Commissioner)

Shaun Hollingsworth is a former Quality Insurance Inspector for Telus. Within his community, he is the Vice President of Finance for the BC Wildlife Foundation and a Director for the BC Conservation Foundation. In addition, he is a Board Member of the Salmon Enhancement Advisory Board, Sport Fishing Advisory Board, North Shore Stream. Mr. Hollingsworth is also the past President of the North Shore Fish and Game Club.

Appointed in September, 2007

Tracey Heron (Alternate Commissioner)

Tracy is a member of Chilliwack Search and Rescue and frequently on-call to respond to emergencies in the wilderness. When she's not working at a local dental practice, Tracey can be found hiking, kayaking, biking or mountaineeering in the Upper Skagit with her husband and two teenage daughters.

Re-appointed most recently in May, 2009

Richard Jessome (Alternate Commissioner)

Richard Jessome lives in Chilliwack, BC and brings a wealth of experience to the Commission. Richard is the Owner and Operator of Dragonfly Ventures, a consulting firm that has completed numerous contracts as project manager for the BC Ministries of Environment, Forest Services, and Highways. He is retired as a Manager with BC Parks and was a Park Ranger in the BC Ministry of Environment. In this role as Manager, he was responsible for managing the delivery of services and activities within a complex group of provincial parks, protected areas, and ecological reserves. Mr. Jessome holds diplomas in ecological integrity, contract negotiation, and effective communication skills.

Appointed in February, 2009