Ft. Vancouver National Trust

Mike True is the President and CEO of the Fort Vancouver National Trust. He began his career with the Trust in early 2006 as the organizations Finance Manager. Shortly after being hired, Mike was promoted to Chief Financial Officer of the organization and later was added the title of Chief Operations Officer where he was responsible for the financial and operational logistics of the organization. This included historic property operations and development, retail bookstores, Celebrate Freedom Programs, Pearson Field Education Center and the many projects and activities on the historic site. In 2014, he was named President and has had the privilege of leading the organization through the acquisition of the Providence Academy. Prior to coming to work for the Trust, Mike graduating from George Fox University with a degree in Accounting and a degree in Business Administration and went to work for Moss Adams LLP where he gained the foundational experience for his career. While at Moss Adams, Mike provided a number of tax and audit services to for profit and not-for-profit organizations. With this experience, he obtained his license as a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Oregon.

While not in the office, Mike enjoys time with his lovely wife Courtney and their three children Kalli (9), Matthew (10), and Timothy (11). They enjoy living on the east side of Vancouver on a few acres in the country. As a family, they love to spend time in the outdoors, with family and friends, and working of creative projects together. Mike has been involved in the Camas School District as past chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee. He enjoys being involved in community organizations and works closely with the City of Vancouver on a variety of different capacities serving on interviews panels to the CDBG and HOME project funding review committees. Mike also is a board member, past treasurer and current chair for Leadership Clark County and active in their program. In addition, Mike enjoys providing financial consulting to for profit and not-for-profit organizations and financial coaching to individuals and families.

Columbia River Economic Development Council

Elizabeth serves as the Director of Business Recruitment for the Columbia River Economic Development Council, where she is responsible for the planning and execution of activities that assist companies considering relocation to Clark County. Elizabeth graduated with a B.A. in History and Sociology from the University of Tampa and holds a master's degree in Natural Resources from Virginia Tech.

She enjoys volunteering with the Mt. Hood Ski Patrol and spending time outdoors with her husband and two daughters.

Pacific Continental Bank

Linda Reid is a vice president and relationship banking officer at Pacific Continental Bank in Vancouver. She manages existing client interaction and seeks out new client relationships. Linda is a 38-year banking professional with 35 years of experience in Southwest Washington.

In addition to her years of experience as a banker, Reid is active in the community, working with several nonprofit organizations including Vancouver’s Downtown Association, Clark County Mural Society, Washington State University – Vancouver Business MAP Advisory, Leadership Clark County, Ducks Unlimited, Habitat for Humanity and Junior Achievement.

Clark PUD

Jeff Groff is a Systems Manager at Clark Public Utilities where he’s worked for 16 years in various capacities. Jeff has worked on or managed all aspects of information services at the Utility to develop and deploy effective computing solutions in pursuit of strategic goals.

Jeff is married with three terrific kids. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Eastern Washington University with a B.S. in Technology and recently completed a graduate course in utility management at Willamette University’s and a nine-month program with Western Energy Institute. Jeff is a 2009 LCC alumni serving on the board and the Curriculum Committee. He also serves on several leadership and technology boards supporting the community.

Riverview Community Bank

Sharif Burdzik, VP at Riverview Community Bank, is the immediate Past Chair of the Leadership Clark County board, President and Board Chair of the Hazel Dell Salmon Creek Business Association, an active member of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, immediate Past Chair and now Vice Chair of the New Day Community Dental Clinic board, and Chair of the Clark County Skills Center Foundation board. Burdzik also serves on the WSU Vancouver Diversity Advisory Board, the Friends of the Elder Justice Center board, and the Clark County Asset Building Coalition.

He is one of the founders of the International Festival on Fourth Plain and served for several years on the Clark County Salvation Army Advisory Board, the last year as Chair. He has also served the City of Vancouver on both the Fire Service Delivery Committee and the Police Department Community Task Force, and currently serves on the annual evaluation committee for the City’s CDBG and HOME grant programs.

Named LCC Alumnus of the Year in 2011, Sharif enjoys skiing, hiking, reading, and especially spending lots of time with his son Alex.

Headshot courtesy of Aevum Images

Community Volunteer

Tina Krause has spent the last 4 years as a full time mom and community volunteer. Tina was part of the LCC Class of 2012 and attributes that time as the turning point in her career from banker to homemaker and volunteer. Over the past four years Tina has joined the LCC Board and chairs the Curriculum committee.

Tina also supports many non-profits such as the Clark County Skills Center Foundation, Partners In Careers, Clark County Food Bank, and the South Ridge Elementary PTA.

Along with giving back to the community Tina enjoys spending time with her husband and supporting the many after school activities of her 3 young kids.

Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce

Partners in Careers

Sharon Pesut is the Executive Director for Partners in Careers (PIC). PIC's mission is to assist individuals to become economically self-sufficient by providing resources, training and job placement opportunities.

Praxair, Inc

Rick currently serves as the Business Development Manager for Praxair, Inc., where he is responsible for new customer acquisition and business growth, market and customer strategy, technology applications and business case analysis, throughout a seven-state territory.

After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Rick obtained a B.S. in Environmental Science and Eng. from San Jose State University; he has also earned a Masters in Business Administration from Marylhurst University. Rick’ s community involvement includes the Lunch Buddy program through the Vancouver School District, Clark County Youth Football where he has coached for 8 years, various other youth sports programs in Clark County and is a past member of Our Lady of Lourdes School Commission. Rick serves as a keynote speaker for Shared Hope International and is a member of the LCC recruitment committee and is a session lead. In his off time, Rick enjoys traveling and keeping up with his family.

Davidson & Associates

Tony Johnson joined Davidson & Associates Insurance in 2009 after a long career in human resources with his firm, T.J. and Associates, Inc. He earned his Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) in 2010 and his Certified Insurance Councilor designation in 2016. He has a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Delaware. Tony is active in the community through the Rotary Club of Vancouver where he is a Past President (2007-2008). He is a graduate of and past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Leadership Clark County (2006-2007). Tony's interests include fly fishing and spending time with his family. Tony and his wife, Lori, Live in La Center, WA with their children, Cal and Sylvie.

Clark College

Dr. Tim Cook has served as Vice President of Clark College in Vancouver, Washington since 2011. He started working at Clark College in 1997 as a Faculty Counselor and was Behavioral Sciences Division Chair for 11 years. He has a lifelong interest in leadership develop and theory. In 2005, Cook completed his Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership, with an Emphasis on Community Colleges, at Oregon State University.

Cook lives in East Vancouver with his wife and three children. His daughter is a senior at Pacific Lutheran University double majoring in Gender Studies and Psychology. His son is a senior at Mt View high school and a full time Running Start student at Clark College. His youngest son will start at Mt.View High School in the fall of 2017. An avid runner, Cook has completed 24 marathons in 15 different states.

Clark County Public Works

George Lackey is a Fleet Equipment Maintenance Supervisor for Clark County Public Works. Prior to working for Clark County, he served for 20 years in the United States Navy where he was a Construction Mechanic (Seabee) and Transportation Fleet Manger. He has a Masters of Public Administration from Ashford University. In addition, he is a member of the Clark County Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Group, Cascadia Technical Academy Automotive Advisory Board Committee and Clark College Business Advisory Board Committee. George developed a strong sense of devotion for public service in the past 15 years; during that time, he volunteered in the women’s battered shelter and mentoring the youth about financial management. This experience kick started his passion for helping others and a deep appreciation for improving the quality of life for others.

He is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, the land of the buckeyes. New to Clark County, he is enjoying the vast amount of hiking and biking trails that the northwest has to offer.

Executive Director

Jones will be responsible for oversight of the organization’s fundraising, fiscal, management, program and donor relations activities. As an alumnus of the 2016 LCC class, she brings her experiences with the program as well as her passion for community, service, and leadership. Sherrie is originally from Yelm, WA where she started her volunteer activities as a cheer and dance coach. With the start of her banking career, she found herself even more involved in her local community; including volunteering as an ambassador with the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Olympia Downtown Association.

In 2012, Sherrie made the move to Clark County where she was fortunate to find herself at Camas Meadows Golf Club, a place that also values community involvement. As Business Development Manager, she worked with dozens of local organizations each year, including the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Washington Contractors Association, Columbia River Economic Development Council, and the Building Industry Association of Clark County. Most notably, Sherrie was a board member for Concerts for a Cause and played an integral part in the success of the summer concert series.