Congratulations to the newly elected board members! As has been the tradition for several years, the branch staff at Columbia Bank, Maple Valley, certified the recent election on Tuesday, June 7th. Jim Flynn of Flynn Development was re-elected to the board of directors and will be joined by J Johnson of Johnson's Home & Garden and Ann Taylor, The Blind Lady to serve three year terms beginning July 1. Jennifer Karol, Hanson Baker Attorneys at Law and Kelley Hutchison, Jr. Junction Day School, have both been appointed to fill one year vacancies.
J Johnson, Johnsons Home & Garden
J is the president of Johnsons Home & Garden in partnership with his nephew Brad. Johnsons Home & Garden is a family owned business that started in Wilderness Village in 1969 and moved to Four Corners in 1979. J graduated from Western Washington State College in 1975 with a degree in accounting. He joined the hardware business in 1979 leaving a job as treasurer of Security Savings & Loan in Kent. Johnsons Home & Garden is part of Do-it Best Corp, an international coop of approximately 4,000 stores worldwide.
J is married to Karen who is the love of his life and his staunch supporter. They were married at a hardware convention in Indianapolis in a quiet ceremony, followed by a reception with 3,500 of their closest friends. He is proud to have served on the board from 2000 to 2007 having played a part in the Chamber becoming a vibrant force for business in the area.
Ann Taylor, The Blind Lady
Ann is the owner of The Blind Lady located in Maple Valley. Ann and her husband Gary started the business in 2000 working with a small local builder and have grown the business to a full service retail company. She worked for the City of Black Diamond in the Finance department for 8 years, and then in 2006 left the City to work full-time in their family business. She has been a Chamber member for 7 years and was on the first “Merchant’s Committee” helping to support the Black Diamond businesses. She is an Ambassador for the Chamber and is also involved on the Membership Committee. Ann is a big advocate for supporting the local businesses, buying local and is excited to become even more involved in the community.
Ann has been happily married to Gary for 24 years and has 3 sons, with the oldest heading off to WSU this summer. Ann also enjoys camping, hiking and traveling.
Jim Flynn, Owner of Flynn Development & Management Inc.
Jim is minority owner and manager of Wilderness Village Properties, Wilderness Business Park, Wilderness Village Plaza, Maple Valley Town Center and Maple Valley Center. He is a lifetime resident of Maple Valley, graduate of Tahoma HS, Washington State University and Seattle University School of Law. Jim served nearly eleven years on the Maple Valley City Council, all of which as the Deputy Mayor.
Jim believes the role of a commercial property manager is similar to that of a Farmer. The “crops” are the businesses that occupy the properties under management and the manager’s duty is to tend to them as a farmer would tend his fields. This philosophy is also appropriate for the Chamber Board as it works to help the business community flourish. Jim has served on the board of directors since 2008 as chair of the Business Development Committee, instrumental in developing the GoMVPower shop local campaign and making possible the Small Business Development Center co-located in the Chamber office.
Jennifer T. Karol, Hanson Baker Attorneys At Law
Jennifer is an attorney focused on real estate and business law. She represents and advises corporate and individual clients in matters involving lending, leasing, liens, and litigation. She strives to resolve disputes and proactively address legal issues as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. Jennifer graduated from Gonzaga Law School and started her legal career with the Washington State Attorney General's Office in 2001. She is licensed to practice law in both Washington and Oregon. Jennifer has considerable negotiation and litigation experience and a no nonsense approach to legal problem solving. Jennifer is a large proponent of supporting local business and would like to dedicate time to advocating for local businesses in the community.
Jennifer has lived in the community since 2004, and enjoys spending time with her husband, two young children, yellow labs, and engaging in outdoor activities.
Kelley Hutichson, Junior Junction Day School
Kelley is the Co-owner and School Director of the Junior Junction Day School. Since Kelley and her husband Steve opened their second school campus here in Maple Valley they have increasingly become more involved with the Chamber and local organizations. Over the years Kelley has enjoyed working on several educational boards and committees along with a few rousing public policy platforms.
Kelley is a mother of four and a new grandmother! Kelley loves Evergreen trees, Puget Sound boating and totem poles.
Added on 06/10/2011
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