Gary Taylor, President

Eagle River Interiors
Office: 425.413.0090
gary.bdblinds@yahoo.com

Hi, I am Gary Taylor, owner of Black Diamond Blinds and co-owner of Eagle River Interiors…aka..The Blind Lady. I have been married to my lovely wife, Ann, for 31 years. We have 3 wonderful sons Michael (26), Matthew (24), and Jonathan (22). We are proud to be a family owned business since 2001.

I really enjoy working in our community, and have participated in many positions in various local organizations. I served on the Black Diamond Community Center board for 4 years as the treasurer and as a member of the budget and finance committee. I was also heavily involved with the Maple Valley Pony Baseball league, serving on their Board of Director for several years as a member of the fiscal responsibility committee and served as the Director of Sponsorships where I worked closely with local businesses trying to obtain team sponsors. I also coached for 8 years and was an umpire for several years. I am very active in our church, Lake Sawyer Christian Church, volunteering as an usher and a greeter. I am the referee coordinator for our Upward Basketball program and a team leader for a James Brigade team, a group of guys that work with widowers to help maintain their homes.

I feel very strongly that if you want your community to be stable and have good, solid programs, that you need to participate and help, whether it’s by being in leadership roles or just rolling up your sleeves and working toward a common goal. It really bothers me when I hear people complain about things in the community when they haven’t invested their time or effort into making a difference and participating.

It is an honor to have been asked to be a board member for the chamber, I look forward to serving in whatever capacity I am needed.  I feel strongly that good marketing can help any business. A mentor encouraged me to follow my passion for helping small businesses and start-ups by creating a company that brings together marketing, sales and design professionals to solve business problems in a collaborative, approachable and cost-effective way.

I would like to serve on the board because I truly cherish our Chamber of Commerce. Everyone I have met has been wonderful and I love being a part of a community. I want to do anything I can to support the local businesses in our town because they are a huge part of what makes Maple Valley a dynamic and lovely place to live.

Becky Sheets, Past President

Fairway Independent Mortgage
Office: 253.797.1316
bsheets@fairwaymc.com

I am Becky Sheets, the Branch Manager of Fairway Independent Mortgage in Maple Valley. I am honored to be considered to serve on the Board of GMVBD Chamber of Commerce.  I was born and raised in the PNW, and currently live in Enumclaw. I raised my 3 children (now grown) in Covington. I served in Kiwanis of Covington for 5 years, was active in the Covington Chamber and served on leadership for Covington Networking group for 10 years.

Currently, I am a Maple Valley Rotary member, and have been active in various Maple Valley community events and efforts for the past year. I am a supporter of The Greater Maple Valley Veterans Memorial Foundation (the last 3 years) and Vine Maple Place (for the last 5 years).

I chose to open my office in Maple Valley and become more involved locally, because of the strong sense of community and service that I have witnessed by various friends and business partners here.  The welcome and comradery that I have experienced with the GMVBD Chamber has been amazing!

I have always believed in serving the community I live and work in. My passion is to influence, inspire create opportunities and serve in both business and community efforts. I hope to have the chance to link arms and serve this growing community in various capacities.

Brad Johnson, Vice President

Johnsons Home & Garden
Office: 425.432.3384
b.johnson@johnsonshg.com

I am currently President of Johnsons Home & Garden, a local hardware store that has been part of Maple Valley for over 50 years.  I am the 3^rd generation to run the family business and an owner for the last 23 years.  I began working at the store with my dad when I was just 6.  I would clean the bathroom, dust shelves, sweep, thread pipe and stock shelves.  Prior to running the hardware store, I worked as an insurance underwriter, commercial appraiser, and a bond underwriter.

I graduated from Western Washington University in 1988 with a degree in business/finance, where I met my wife Carri. We have been married for 31 years and have two children, one of which works with me at JH&G.

I believe in a strong, thriving small business community and hope to further that goal as a member of your Chamber.

Lori Cloud, Treasurer

Tahoma School District
Office: 425.413.3400
lcloud@tahomasd.us

Lori Cloud is assistant superintendent and director of finance for Tahoma School District. Lori lives in Black Diamond and joined the school district in 2002. She and her husband, Kevin, have three children, each of whom attended Tahoma schools. Before coming to Tahoma, Lori worked in the private sector and served in a variety of fiduciary positions, including chief financial officer and chief executive officer. She is a 1988 graduate of the University of Montana.

In addition to managing the school district’s budget and financial affairs, Lori also helped lead the school district’s successful transition to a new high school, new Lake Wilderness Elementary School and major upgrades and grade realignments to schools throughout the district as part of the 2013 construction bond measure.

Tahoma School District is the largest employer in the Maple Valley-Black Diamond area. As a member of the City of Maple Valley Economic Development Committee, Lori represents Tahoma and has worked with community leaders to explore how the city can bring jobs to the area, diversify the tax base, and maintain the area’s livability.

In her spare time, Lori enjoys spending time with her family, which could include cruising Puget Sound on the family boat, visiting her home state of Montana, skiing, or other leisure travel.

Grifan Cayce, Director

Cayce & Grove Law Offices
Office: 425.255.0603
grifan@caycegrove.com

Grifan is an Attorney with local law firm, Cayce & Grove Law Offices. Grifan joined the firm in 2011 after graduating from Seattle University School of Law and practices Estate Planning and Probate law, along with Real Estate and Business law. During law school Grifan was a Summer Associate with a firm focusing on School Law and representing a large number of School Districts – this experience helped her to develop a greater understanding of and appreciation for the complexity of how business and government entities function within a community. Prior to law school, Grifan earned her Master’s in Education at CWU and taught AP US History in the Bellevue School District. Grifan is a K-12 graduate of the Tahoma School District, and passionate about living and working in the Maple Valley/Black Diamond community. Grifan is dedicated to Tahoma’s We The People team, a reflection of her commitment to civic education and engagement, she is excited to be nominated to the Board and is excited for the opportunity to continue focusing on economic development, community, and civic engagement with the Chamber.

Dawn Cruff, Director

The Amber Bills Real Estate Group
Cell: (701) 361-7522
Dawn@amberbills.com

I am a transplant from North Dakota, who fell in love with Maple Valley and the Pacific Northwest. Immediately upon relocating, the MV community welcomed me with open arms.

I firmly believe in giving back and being an active member of the community.  This belief also plays into my passion of helping others, via through my real estate business and by volunteerism to the many who provide services to others. Two such service organizations are the MV Food Bank by participating in food drives and Foster Champs collecting coats during coat donation events.

It would be an honor to serve the members of the Maple Valley/Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce.  As a small business owner, I understand the importance of an organization who will advocate for the betterment of our businesses. I welcome the opportunity to continue to assist others through building local relationships and networking to expand their businesses.

I currently serve as an Ambassador on the Ambassador Team for the MVBD Chamber. This role grants me the opportunity to welcome our newest business members and to help create an awareness for them to our community.

Am an active member of the Maple Valley Rotary Club whose vision is to change lives both locally and abroad through service and financial support. And also the Community Engagement Task Force for Vine Maple Place.

Brett Habenicht, Director

Java! Java! Coffee Co.
Office: 425.432.2184
brett@javajavacoffee.com

I am the co-founder and vice-president of Java! Java! Coffee Company, headquartered here in Maple Valley. I have been married to Brenda for 27 years and we have 2 kids, Lindsey, 22 who is finishing up her masters degree with Georgetown Univ. and Alex, 19 who is finishing up his freshman year at Central Washington Univ. Interesting fact: I am a fifth generation resident of the Maple Valley/Black Diamond area. My great-great grandfather, Henry Habenicht came up from Nortonville, CA with the Black Diamond Coal Company and helped to settle the Black Diamond area. Another great-great grandfather, John Davies, was one of 31 men killed in the Ravensdale mine explosion of 1915.

I understand the importance of a strong, local business community and how a strong Chamber of Commerce can influence and assist those whose job it is to create policies that can impact small business owners. As a charter member of both the planning commission and economic development committee for the City of Maple Valley, I was tasked with helping to find solutions to some very vexing issues. I believe in building consensus by finding win-win solutions to the concerns that many business owners face every day and by building strong and durable relationships with other locally owned businesses.

I would be honored to serve on the MVBD Chamber board and will work smartly to ensure that our chamber is one that is fun, engaged, relevant and is always striving to create more value and equity for its members.

Gary Thompson, Director

OnMerit Marketing
Office: 425.654.1814
garyt@onmerit.com

I’m a 23 year resident of Maple Valley and a transplant from Dallas, Texas, you’ll notice my Texas twang.

My wife Elaine and I have raised two wonderful daughters, Lauren and Katelynn in this community and we are proud to say they’re both Tahoma grads.

I’m the lead consultant and owner at OnMerit Marketing and have over 30 years experience helping small businesses compete and grow. My journey into the world of design and marketing started as a college student working for a rodeo supply company. After three years I was ready to move on to the next phase and took a job at a large ad agency in Dallas. After eight years with the company, working as both a designer and production manager, I decided it was time to strike out on my own full time, and now the rest is history.

As a brand designer and digital marketer I use design and communications to solve business problems or create business opportunities. I especially love doing this with small businesses.

I’m an active member of the Maple Valley-Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce and the Maple Valley Rotary Club. I continue to work with the Maple Valley Parks & Recreation Department and designed the City of Maple Valley Economic Development marketing brand and messaging.

I am honored to be a part of the Maple Valley-Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce and to serve on the board. My goal is to bring new ideas and opportunities for promoting our member businesses, help connect and create new partnerships, grow local tourism, grow chamber brand and membership base.

Victor Torres, Director

Law Offices of Torres & Haroldson
Office: 425.458.3170
Email:  victor@torresharoldson.com

Hello, my name is Victor J. Torres, and I am a husband and father first and foremost.  I have been married to my wife Misty D. Torres for 18 years and together we have brought into this world four boys:  Tristan (13), Hayden (12), Quentin (11), and Landyn (6).  We moved to Maple Valley in 2006, drawn here by the Tahoma School District and the suburban bedroom community feel that was conducive to raising a family.

I am an attorney and partner at the law firm of Torres & Haroldson, PLLC, here in Maple Valley. Rather than working in the city, I decided to bring my talents closer to home and assist my neighbors and friends with their legal issues. I focus my practice on personal injury law and handle all types of catastrophic injury cases, including those involving car accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and falls, and wrongful death. The Firm also handles estate planning, family law, and guardianships.  We serve individuals, families, and businesses throughout the Puget Sound area.

With our boys reaching school age, my wife Misty recently opened up Torres Mental Health Services, PLLC. Coming out on the other side of the pandemic, mental and emotional health issues have been exacerbated and on the rise.  Like me, she felt the need to bring her talents to our community and assist those in need. She focuses her practice on assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental, behavioral, and emotional health disorders, relationship issues, and life challenges.

I’ve given back and served my community in all the ways that I can.  I’ve coached several Maple Valley Pony Baseball teams. I am an active Rotarian working on the betterment of our community and the world through service. And, my Firm has sponsored several local organizations and events including Maple Valley-Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce, Maple Valley Rotary, Maple Valley Pony Baseball, Kent Covington Youth Soccer, and Tahoma Performing Arts Boosters.

I feel strongly that I can provide valuable service to the Chamber and its Board by advocating for the success our local businesses and the betterment of the political economy so as to provide the optimum environment in which our businesses will thrive.

Ron Cox, Director

Lake Wilderness Golf Course
Office: 425.432.9405
Email:  rcox@lakewildernessgc.com

I moved to the Pacific Northwest from Southern California in December 2018 to be near my two daughters, Angela and Michelle and granddaughters, Zoe, and Hartley.  I have been in the golf business since 1986 and a Member of the PGA since 1994.

My career in the golf business has afforded me the opportunity to meet and learn from so many great people from all walks of life.  My goal through my career has been to respect and treat others the way I would like to be treated which I knew would help start, build, and grow relationships.

I was hired by CourseCo Inc to manage Lake Wilderness Golf Course in October 2019 which is owned by the City of Maple Valley.  From the beginning it was easy to see what a great community Maple Valley/Black Diamond was from the golf course members and guests to City staff to engaging with the Chamber and Food Pantry with their golf tournaments and seeing their love for the community and all the residents and businesses.

If given the opportunity to serve the community through the Chamber of Commerce on the Board of Directors, I would work with others to support the local businesses in our town which is what Maple Valley is all about.