Board of Commissioners

Don Ellis, Chair

email: dellis@northshorefire.com

Graduated University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with honors.

Post Graduate University of Washington
McGill University

Elected Commissioner
Northshore Utility District Present
Northshore Fire District 1988 to Present

Certified Fraud Examiner 2004 to Present
Member Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

Insurance Pool Activity
Chair formation committee of the Water and Sewer Risk Management Pool
Chair Board of Directors Water and Sewer Risk Management Pool

Director Washington Governmental Insurance Pool
Auditing Director Washington Governmental Insurance Pool

Director Washington Cities Insurance Authority
Member Long term Planning Washington Cities Insurance Authority

Founding – Voting member Snohomish River Regional Water Authority
Chair Snohomish River Regional Water Authority 1995 to Present

Manager NYSE Member Firm
President, CEO NASD Broker - Dealer

Ron Gehrke, Vice Chair

email: rgehrke@northshorefire.com

Commissioner Ron Gehrke began his term with the NFD Board of Commissioners in 2004 and he offers over 40 years of community involvement as a citizen of the Kenmore area. In addition to various committee and volunteer dedication throughout the years Mr. Gehrke has also served on the Lake Pointe Citizens Review Committee and contributed to the original Northshore Community Plan. Mr. Gehrke is a member of the Amateur Trapshooting Association, the Lake City Elks #1800, the Kenmore Heritage Society, the Kenwanda’s Men’s Club, and the Wildlife Committee of Washington. Mr. Gehrke’s involvement in the community has also included active involvement in the Northshore Youth Soccer Association in roles ranging from referee, to judicial committee, to field development. Mr. Gehrke began working in the Kenmore area at the Kenmore Super Market in 1951 and retired from the Northshore Utility District in 1999 as their General Manager.

Kae Peterson, Member

email: kpeterson@northshorefire.com

Lake Forest Park resident Kae Peterson was first elected to the Northshore Fire Board of Commissioners in 2001. Ms. Peterson brings expertise to the NFD Board garnered from years serving on various other boards in her community including Friends of Third Place Commons and Shoreline/South County YMCA. She is also a member of the Lake Forest Park Rotary, a Former Assistant District Governor-Rotary District 5030, a member of First Lutheran of Richmond Beach and she served on the Lake Forest Park task force “Sustaining a Livable Lake Forest Park.”

Professionally, Ms. Peterson keeps busy as the Executive Director of the Evergreen Healthcare Foundation where she joined the staff in 2006. Prior to that time she was the Senior Executive Director of Development and Community Relations at Shoreline Community College from 1997-2006 and the Executive Director of the Shoreline/South County YMCA from 1987-1997. In each of these positions Ms. Peterson developed strong skills in budget management, construction management and fundraising. Ms. Peterson has played an active role in managing many large scale construction projects. Ms. Peterson has extensive experience with the public process within the state of Washington.

Ms. Peterson credits her parents for instilling in her a sense of responsibility to give back to the community in which we live. Being an elected official allows Ms. Peterson to bring another dimension to that service; she believes “upholding the public trust and ensuring quality emergency services for all citizens is an honor.”

Dave Maehren, Member

email: david.maehren@comcast.net

Commissioner David Maehren began his term on the NFDBoard of Fire Commissioners in 2001 and in 2003 was elected to a 6 year term. Mr. Maehren has been actively involvement in multiple areas in the Kenmore community and is the recipient of the 2009 Kenmore Heritage Society’s McMasters Award for community service. Mr. Maehren’s community service includes; Member Kenmore Citizens for Good Government, member City of Kenmore Downtown Plan Commission 2001, Chair of the Kenmore’s first Comprehensive Planning Commission 1999 – 2000, Member of the Northshore Rotary Club (1999 – 2003), Chair of the Kenmore Governance Transition Committee (1998), Board Member for the Kirkland – Redmond Boys & Girls Club (1998 – 2000) board member of the year for 1999. He was instrumental in opening a Boys & Girls Club / Police Storefront station in the Arrowhead / Moorlands neighborhood, Co-chair of the Kenmore Incorporation Committee (1995 – 1998) resulting in the formation of the new City of Kenmore. Member King County Kenmore Governance Strategies Committee 1994 – 1995. Additionally, Mr. Maehren has volunteered as a coach for Kenmore Jr. Football, Kenmore Little League and Northshore Girls Slowpitch Softball Association.

Mr. Maehren retired from the King County Sheriff’s office after 30 years of service in 2002 with the rank of Captain. He is owner of Enalliance Inc. which supports Public Safety training and technology. He is currently an employee of Kratos Defense Solutions as a project manager / subject matter expert developing a prototype C2PC-PS program for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s department.

Why are you a commissioner?

I believe my experience in public service can help in supporting the delivery of quality and reliable services to the communities of Kenmore and Lake Forest Park. I have worked closely with a variety of public safety departments and government agencies during my career with the Sheriff’s office. I have seen first hand the value of coordinated provision of public safety services across jurisdictional boundaries by fire, law enforcement and emergency management service agencies. My goals are to expand the department’s capabilities and effectiveness as a regional team member while assuring the NFD provides exceptional service to our community in a fiscally responsible manner.

Carolyn Armanini, Member

email: carmanini@northshorefire.com

Lake Forest Park resident of 24 years, Carolyn Armanini was first elected to

the Northshore Fire Board of Commissioners in 1994 and served through 2001. The Northshore Fire Board is pleased that she has since then been newly re-elected and began term in January, 2008.

Ms. Armanini adds to her knowledge of the district for the NFD by holding other committee positions in the area as well. She is currently the chair of the King County Solid Waste Advisory Committee and has served on that committee since 2001. Presently Ms. Armanini also serves on the Board of Directors of Great Dane Rescue, Inc. and has served on the Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation Board of Directors in the past. Her community involvement alsoincludes serving as Lake Forest Park City Council member from 1993 – 2005.

When Ms. Armanini was asked what she strives for by being Commissioner to NFD she replied with: “To continue the tradition of delivering high quality fire suppression/prevention and emergency medical services to the residents of the district at an appropriate cost, while protecting the safety and well-being of our professional staff, and providing career opportunities to them as well.”