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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mary Velazquez, J.D.
Board Chair
Prior to attending law school, Mary worked for the largest healthcare system in Western New York for 24 years. Here she gained experience in many areas including payroll, human resources, risk management, physician accreditation, diet and nutrition, organizational development, and special event planning. Mary returned to college in 2004 as a single parent of two young children while still working full time. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Medaille College in Buffalo, New York in 2007. After moving to Texas and then Southern California, Mary obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Chapman University School of Law and was admitted to the California Bar in 2011. In January 2012, Mary moved to Spokane, Washington and was admitted to the Washington State Bar later that year. Mary has been active in the communities where she has lived and since moving to Washington has done volunteer work for several organizations including the Center for Justice, City of Spokane’s Mayor’s Office Department of Local Government and Multi-Cultural Affairs, Spokane Symphony, Christ Clinic, and Community Colleges of Spokane.
Mary lives in Colbert with her husband, Frank and their son, Kevin who is a student at Spokane Community College. Their daughter lives in Spokane and is a graduate of Whitworth University.
Jeff Hyslop
Vice Chair
Jeff Hyslop is an architectural designer and senior associate at NAC architecture. Jeff has over 10 years of experience specializing in K-12 and higher education design. He has worked on educational projects throughout the Spokane community, including Salk and Glover Middle schools, Shadle Park, Rogers, and Deer Park High schools. His higher education portfolio includes projects at WSU, Whitworth, Montana State University, Colorado School of Mines, Bellevue College, and Community Colleges of Spokane. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Washington State University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington. Jeff has previously taught graduate design studios at WSU and served on the Spokane Young Architects, Interns, and Associates board. Jeff is an SIA parent with a son in kindergarten.
Dr. Matt Hoag
Treasurer
Dr. Hoag is an Associate Professor of Accounting at Gonzaga University. He currently teaches many different classes with an emphasis on auditing, financial reporting and financial accounting. His research ties into several broad areas of interest including corporate governance, ethics in accounting, audit quality and internal controls. Dr. Hoag graduated from Gonzaga University with a BBA in Accounting and subsequently worked for three years with KPMG, LLP, a large public accounting and professional services firm, in the Seattle office. In 2010, he obtained his PhD from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Prior to his current role at Gonzaga, Dr. Hoag was on the faculty at California State University, Sacramento. He and was previously licensed as a certified public accountant in Washington
Dr. Stacy Hill
Secretary
Dr. Hill currently serves as the Associate Provost at Whitworth University. Dr. Hill previously served as the the Director of the Teacher Certification Program where she taught courses in research, child and adolescent development, methodology, and intercultural education. She also coordinates the university partnership between SIA and Whitworth. Dr. Hill previously taught English and History at Mt. Spokane High School. She holds a B.A. in political science from Western Washington University, an MIT in secondary education from Whitworth University, and a doctorate in teacher leadership from Washington State University.
Dr. Hill has been a member of the Spokane International Academy school design team from its inception.
Ken Vorhees
Board Member
Ken Vorhees joined Spokane Industries in 1997 as Controller and was elevated to Chief Financial Officer in 2003. Ken holds a BA in Accounting from Michigan State University and was previously licensed as a certified public accountant in Washington. Prior to joining Spokane Industries, Ken spent eleven years in public accounting with both national and local CPA firms, including operating his own firm. In addition, Ken had over ten years as controller with a Spokane based manufacturer that had multi state operations. The combined manufacturing and public accounting experience provides a well-rounded financial background and an intimate knowledge of business operations. Ken has also served in officer positions on a variety of not for profit organizations, including trustee and treasurer for a private school.
Bob Castle
Board Member
A Spokane native, Bob Castle joined the Kalispel Golf and Country Club management team in May 2016 as General Manager. Bob earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management at Whitworth University and his Master's degree in Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University. Additionally, he earned a certificate in Food and Beverage Management from Cornell University, Sports Management from Columbia University of Professional Studies, and is a graduate of The American School of Broadcast. At Whitworth University, he was the Assistant Athletic Director, managing corporate partnerships and athletic operations for the most successful athletic department in its conference. Bob was the 18-year radio voice of Whitworth Athletics and currently serves as the Head Coach of the Whitworth Softball Program. He brings with him strong leadership, managerial, and relationship skills as well as a passion for the hospitality and golf industries. Bob has spent nearly 30 Years working professionally in the local broadcasting industry, both on the air and behind the scenes in programming and operations. Bob served as both President and Secretary of the Inland Empire Club Management Association of America.
Guillermo Espinoza
Board Member
Guillermo Espinosa is the proud son of Armand and Abigail Espinosa, two hard-working Mexican immigrants who moved to the United States of America to raise their family of six children in rural Central Washington. Guillermo moved to Spokane in 2009 to attend Gonzaga University as a first-generation college student. This is where he gained his passion for access to education. Guillermo earned his Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Spanish at Gonzaga and later attended Eastern Washington University where he earned his Master’s degree in Business Administration. He currently serves as the Associate Dean of K12 Partnerships and Outreach at Spokane Community College where he has been since 2014. Additionally, Guillermo serves on the board of the Hispanic Business Professional Association (Nuestras Raices), and the Spokane Human Rights Commission.
Cassie Anderson
Board Member
Cassie Anderson is a Citizen of the Chippewa Cree Tribe from the Rocky Boys, located in Rocky Boy, Montana. She currently serves as the Operations Manager for the Office of Tribal Relations with the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). Prior to this, she was the Program and Support Services Director for the Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations. She obtained her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Portland State University. Cassie has been working in the Social Services field for 20 years. Her experience ranges from Medicaid Services, At-risk youth work, Child Welfare, Child Protective Services, Non-Profit, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Domestic Violence/Prevention, Management, Adolescent Residential Treatment Services, and most recently Indian Child Welfare work. Cassie has a wealth of knowledge of federal, state, and tribal laws, as well as partnerships throughout each entity. Cassie’s current position requires her to be an innovative and strategic change-agent to ensure successful outcomes for our most vulnerable populations. Cassie lives in Colbert with her husband and two daughters.
David James
Board Member
David is Managing Director of New Solutions K12, an education consulting firm. David began his career as an 8th grade science teacher in Chelsea Public Schools (MA) with Teach For America. He then was a 6th-grade science teacher in Boston Public Schools and later planned and led the turnaround of a grade 6-8 middle school in Lawrence Public Schools (MA) as part of a state-led district improvement effort. In addition to his experience as a K-12 educator and consultant, he has spent time as a management consultant in the healthcare industry and as an analyst with a global investment bank. He received his BS in Business Administration from Bucknell University, M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston University, and MBA from Babson College. David has two young daughters and a golden retriever, all three of whom he and his wife, Sarah, enjoy hiking and traveling with.
INTERESTED IN JOINING US?
Public Participation:
The Board recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of involving members of the public in its meetings. The Chair is responsible for the orderly conduct of the meeting and shall rule on such matters as the time to be allowed for public discussion, the appropriateness of the subject being presented and the suitability of the time for a presentation. In order to assist the Board in its orderly conduct of the meeting, individuals wishing to be heard by the Board shall have the opportunity to state their name, address, and the topic they wish to speak to, either in writing at the beginning of the meeting, and/or verbally at the time the topic is addressed on the agenda, and before the Board takes action on such item. Individuals, after identifying themselves, will address the Board and proceed to make their comments as briefly as the subject permits.
The Board shall not hear oral complaints about school personnel. A member of the public wishing to make such a complaint shall do so in writing to the Board Chair and/or CEO who shall follow the school's adopted conflict resolution policy. The Chair may interrupt or terminate an individual's statement when it is too lengthy, personally directed, abusive, or irrelevant. The Board as a whole shall have the final decision in determining the appropriateness of all such rulings.