Anacortes Chamber Board

Leslie Symonds

Chair View Bio

Leslie Symonds

Leslie Symonds has a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation from WSU and her Master’s in Science, Management & Leadership. She is National Director of Community Lifestyle & Memory Care for Milestone Retirement at Lighthouse Memory Care. She is the Incoming Chairman on the ACOC Board of Director Executive Committee and the President of the Board of Director’s for the Skagit Adult Day Program. Leslie’s family are longtime residents of Burlington and Anacortes. She and her husband Scott love to fish and are proud Nana and Papa to 4 beautiful grandsons.

Dave Kruse

Chair Elect

Dave Kruse

Erin Meissner

Past Chair View Bio

Erin Meissner

Erin is a long-time Washington resident and a graduate of Edmonds High School and Seattle Pacific University. She and her husband Steve always had the dream of moving to Anacortes. After living in Bothell for thirty years the dream of moving to Anacortes became a reality and they moved here permanently in 2015. In 2017 they purchased Bubba Sudz Car Wash and became active in the business community as well.

Erin loves Anacortes for its small-town vibes, beautiful scenery, and friendly people. Being a member of the Chamber Board gives her the opportunity to support local businesses and activities as well as help the city grow while still maintaining the charm that makes Anacortes so special. She is especially interested in promoting community activities, healthy growth, and affordable housing within the community.

Mary Trester

Treasurer View Bio

Mary Trester

Mary is the Executive Director of the Anacortes Waterfront Alliance (AWA). Mary has a passion for learning, community and boating which makes her work with AWA and the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce extremely rewarding. She brings over two years experience in leadership training as the Program Manager of Leadership Skagit and has decades of experience in higher education, workforce development and program management as the former Director of Continuing Education at Edmonds College. Mary obtained her B.A. from the University of Washington and a Master’s in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Mark Lione

Secretary

Mark Lione

Lynette Brower

Board Member

Lynette Brower

Luke Currier

Board Member

Luke Currier

Elise Cutter

Board Member

Elise Cutter

Wendy Drake

Board Member

Wendy Drake

John Dumas

Board Member

John Dumas

Jason Easton

Board Member

Jason Easton

Matt Gill

Board Member

Matt Gill

Erin Hoskins

Board Member

Erin Hoskins

Dr. Justin Irish

Board Member View Bio

Dr. Justin Irish

Dr. Justin Irish began serving the Anacortes School District as superintendent on July 1, 2020. He has a bachelor’s degree and doctorate from the University of Washington and earned his master’s degree in teaching from Seattle University. He grew up in the pacific northwest and is excited to now call Anacortes home. He and his husband Kenny live in Anacortes with their two cats. They have enjoyed getting to know their neighbors and the community, as well as the many parks, trails, and recreation spots in the area. Dr. Irish is committed to continuing the legacy of high student achievement and leading the system toward equitable outcomes.

Amanda Lovecchio

Board Member View Bio

Amanda Lovecchio

Amanda is passionate about helping Anacortes be as healthy as possible and helping create an environment where business thrives!  She is a military veteran and a graduate of Purdue University.  She has two grown boys that live in and love Anacortes as much as she does.

Racheal Meloche

Board Members

Racheal Meloche

Reid Meyers

Board Member

Reid Meyers

Mayor Matt Miller

Board Member View Bio

Mayor Matt Miller

Matt is a native of Silver Spring, Maryland, graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and Politics and commissioned via Navy ROTC at The George Washington University. Matt served on active duty as a career Naval Officer primarily as a Bombardier/Navigator in the A-6E Intruder, and an Electronic Countermeasures Officer in the EA-6B Prowler. He finished his Navy career at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington serving as Operations Officer and then Executive Officer. Matt accumulated over 2000 flight hours in multiple military aircraft types and received numerous individual and unit combat awards. He retired with honors from active service after 22 years in August of 2010. He is a commercially rated pilot still actively flying. He and his wife owned and operated Read Me a Story/Toy Stories, a children’s book and toy store for 15 years. He has been part of numerous groups, including Anacortes Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, Rotary, Ferry Advisory Committee, Skagit Business Alliance, Anacortes School District’s High School and Financial Advisory Committees, in addition to serving on the Planning Commission. Matt served eight years as Anacortes City Councilmember (At-Large/Position 4) serving on several committees including Public Safety, Traffic Safety, Personnel, Fiber, IT, Port/City, Lodging Tax, in addition to the Regional Fire Authority, Jail Task Force, EMS Task Force and Law and Justice Council. He is married to the former Heather Hoak of New Canaan, CT. Matt and Heather have resided in Anacortes since 1999 and have two children Alex, 2012 AHS graduate, now a Naval Aviator flying the P8 Poseidon out of NAS Whidbey Island and Brittany a 2013 AHS graduate working at a top multi-national thoroughbred farm in Kentucky.

Taby Perron

Board Member

Taby Perron

Jeremy Price

Board Member

Jeremy Price

Therese Rudzis

Board Member View Bio

Therese Rudzis

Therese Rudzis has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Western Washington University and a Certification in Accounting from the University of Washington, Master’s Program. She started her career with Moss Adams in Seattle. She worked in the Microsoft Channel for 20 years with her last role as Senior Director at Fine Solutions in Lynnwood. She assists her husband at their business, Skyline Moorage, and is the Treasurer of the Anacortes Rotary Club. She and her husband have been a part of the Anacortes Community since the late 1970s.

John Sternlicht

Board Member

John Sternlicht

Anacortes Chamber Staff

Jesica Kiser

President/CEO View Bio

Jesica Kiser

Jesica is a newer resident of Anacortes coming from Arlington, WA in 2021. Jesica has worked in the Chamber world for over 12 years serving as a volunteer, business owner, board member, and ultimately was hired on as a President/CEO in 2015. In this role, she served the business community of a Municipality as well as a Sovereign Nation. Jesica has a blended family of 7 and they love to spend time outside together. Her hobbies include golfing, snowboarding, and yoga. Jesica is looking forward to meeting all the businesses in Anacortes and to bringing all the Chamber events back and enhancing them with the help of the Chamber committees.

jesica@anacortes.org

(360) 293-7911

Elizabeth Tyler

Marketing & Membership Director View Bio

Elizabeth Tyler

elizabeth@anacortes.org

(360) 293-7911

Megan Angier

Operations Director View Bio

Megan Angier

meg@anacortes.org

(360) 293-7911

Jordan Weeks

Events & Communications Coordinator View Bio

Jordan Weeks

jordan@anacortes.org

(36) 293-7911