The Gig Harbor Rotary Foundation

Economic opportunities and thriving arts make Gig Harbor and its surrounding communities a better place to live; truly a vibrant and energized neighborhood, shaped through the generosity of giving.

With over $3.5 million in assets, the Gig Harbor Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts and bequests to the Foundation into scholarships and service projects that change lives.

We fund and support charitable projects within Rotary areas of service: Education, Community, Vocational, and Youth.

Our Mission

To fund and to support charitable projects within our Rotary Club’s areas of service: Education, Community, Vocational, and Youth.

Our Vision

Strengthening our community by encouraging generosity and connecting people who care with causes that matter. “Service Above Self.”

Our Approach

We approach our investing with a strategy that seeks to engage, invest in, and strengthen our community.

The Gig Harbor Rotary Foundation benefits from the vision and leadership of experienced board members. Because of their leadership, the Foundation maintains a sound strategic investment strategy.

Board of Trustees

Tom Stanfield (Board President)

Tom joined the Gig Harbor Rotary Club in 2019. Prior to his retirement he was the Director of Marketing and Sales for Heron’s Key, a non-profit continuing care retirement community located in Gig Harbor. Tom’s professional background included management roles in the hospitality industry; sales and sales management roles in the high tech world of computer hardware and software, consulting services and Internet services; consulting and sales management roles in the non-profit senior housing industry. For seven years he served on the Board of Directors of the Companis Corporation, a non-profit volunteer placement service organization in Seattle, WA. Tom is retired and committed to providing service for the betterment of the Gig Harbor Community.

John Mitchell (Vice President)

John was born and raised on the Kitsap Peninsula, and has been a member of the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor for over 10 years. He is Past President of the Board of Directors for Hilltop Artists in Tacoma, WA. A financial advisor, he understands the important role of stewarding individuals and businesses through challenging environments. He eagerly invests his energy and time, including as a Trustee on the Foundation Board, to strengthen the local community he proudly calls home.

Jill Guernsey
Jill joined the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor in 2012. Since then, she has served as Chair of the Community Service Committee and is currently the Director-at-Large.

Jill served as mayor of the City of Gig Harbor from 2014 to 2017. Earlier she served on the City Council and was a long-time member of the City Planning Commission.

Professionally, Jill’s 37-year career in law included serving as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Civil Division. Earlier in her career, she served as Legal Counsel to the Pierce County Executive and as Chief Civil Deputy in the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.

She was a member of the Washington State Bar Association, and was Chair of the Environmental and Land Use Section. She also served on the National Board of Trustees of American Inns of Court, and was president of the Tacoma Chapter of the American Inns of Court. Her extensive community service includes serving on the boards of the Peninsula School District, the Gig Harbor Waterfront Alliance and the Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development Board. Jill earned her bachelor’s degree from University of California, Irvine, and her law degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

Jill moved to Washington in 1978 and raised her family in Gig Harbor. She is thankful she has the time and opportunity to give back to this wonderful community through Rotary and other community organizations.

Bob Martin
I was born in Williston, N.D. February 1, 1943 and moved to a small farm in 1951.
Graduated from Willamette HS in 1961 and then went through the University or Oregon in 3 years because I was anxious to get to medical school where I attended the U of O Medical School in Portland graduating in 1968 just in time for the Tet offensive in Viet Nam. I did my internship at Tripler Army Medical Center, the last of rotating internships, covering medicin, surgery, pediatrics, and ObGyn. I first had an eye residency at Walter Reed Medical Center, but changed my mind and did a medical residency at Fitzsimmons Medical Center in Denver, CO. During my medical residency I again changed my mind and did a Dermatology residency at Fitzsimmons which I finished in 1973 and was Board Certified in October that same year. I was then stationed at Madigan Army Medical

Center as Chief of Dermatology. I resigned in August 1976 and started my private practice in University Place and then Gig Harbor in 1978. In 1977 a patient invited me to a Rotary meeting and I drank the Kool Aid. I moved to the Gig Harbor Club in 1982. Served as Secretary for several years and became Club President in 1989. One of my goals as President was to establish our own Club Foundation. With the help of Ron Roberts, Connie Schick, and Dave Morris we succeeded. I attended my first Rotary Invernational Convention in Portland, OR in 1990. Have since attended 6 others around the world. I was an Assistant Governor with 7 local clubs from 2001-2003. I wanted to be Distict Governor but was still working full time. By 2007 I realized that if I was ever going to do it I needed to retire. I interviewed for DG with two others and was selected. I retired in December 2009 and was DG 2010-2011; a great year for Jan and me! Since then I have been active on the International Service and Community Service Committees. I also spent two years getting Connie’s Clock purchased and installed. With my health problems this past year I realized I wanted to again be part of the GHRF and am pleased to have that happen.

Gary Parker
Professions: Computer Designer Engineer, Engineering Manager, Engineering Director

Employment History: Gary has had a remarkable career in the tech industry, contributing his expertise to renowned companies such as Harris Corporation, IBM Corporation, and Intel Corporation. Throughout his tenure, he played pivotal roles in designing cutting-edge computer technologies and leading teams to accomplish groundbreaking projects.

Retirement and Current Pursuits: After a successful career, Gary embraced retirement in 2017. However, retirement did not slow him down. Instead, it marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life. He decided to embark on an entrepreneurial journey and is now the proud owner-operator of a thriving local business. With his wealth of experience and business acumen, Gary‘s venture has flourished under his thoughtful leadership.

Attributes:

Influencer: Throughout his career, Gary‘s ingenuity and dedication earned him the reputation of being an influential figure in the technology sector. His contributions to the field have had a lasting impact, inspiring future generations of engineers and designers.

Philanthropist: Gary‘s passion for making a positive difference extends beyond the professional realm. He is actively involved in various charitable endeavors, generously giving back to the community, and supporting causes close to his heart.

Outside of his professional and philanthropic pursuits, Gary enjoys spending time with his family and close friends. He relishes moments of relaxation, often indulging in his favorite hobbies.

Gary’s journey from design engineer to engineering director, followed by a successful transition into entrepreneurship, highlights his adaptability, determination, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Linda Glein

I’ve been on several non-profit boards through the years, including the American Association of University Women, Toastmasters, Tacoma Women’s Sailing, BetterInvesting (local and national), Washington’s National Parks Fund, Rotary Club of Gig Harbor and the Glein Family Foundation.

I worked for the Boeing Company, Doce’s Furniture, the Port of Seattle, Norcore Plastics, Tacoma community Foundation, PenWest Real Estate, and Ale House Tacoma. I’ve worked as a bookkeeper, draftsman and event manager. My BA from the University of Washington is in Business Administration.

Of particular interest has been financial ‘literacy’ for young people and women, investing and managing portfolios, and encouraging non-profit organizations to build endowments.

Tim Toerber
Tim is a second-generation Rotarian and spent 4 years in the Tacoma Sunrise Rotary club before joining the Gig Harbor Rotary Club in 2018. A long-time public servant, Tim spent 10 years on active duty in the US Army as a helicopter pilot, continues to serve in the Army Reserves, and worked at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as an airport manager for 7 years. Currently Tim is a member of the Airport Affairs and Strategy Team for Amazon Air. In additional volunteer roles he is the President of the Tacoma Narrows Airport Advisory Commission and Vice President of the Shore Acres Water Company. Tim and his wife Avery are raising their two young children in Gig Harbor and enjoy all that this vibrant community has to offer.
Ron Roberts
Ron has been a member of the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor for over 33 years. He is a past president of the club and was involved with the original incorporation of the Foundation and served on its first Board of Directors. After practicing law for 35 years, he retired in 1999 and has been involved in local community organizations. He and his family have lived in Gig Harbor since 1978.
Chuck Perry
Chuck is the co-chair of the Foundation Scholarship Committee. He has served on the Foundation Board for multiple terms and is a Past President and Past Treasurer of the Foundation. He has been a Rotarian for 28 years and is a Past President of the Fife Milton Rotary Club. He is retired from a career of over 30 years in banking, primarily in commercial lending and as a credit administrator for community banks and is a CPA inactive. He served as the chairman of the Peninsula School District Citizens Audit Committee for 15 years. He has a passion for serving youth with scholarships.
Rand Wilelmsen
Rand served as a member of the Peninsula School District Audit Committee for a
year before being appointed to the Peninsula School Board. He ran for two elections and served two successful terms. He was elected president of the School Board in 2015. He served for 9 years.

Rand holds a BA degree in English and taught English in Nevada and Oregon for 5 years before becoming an investment advisor. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Telecommunications.

Rand is a retired Senior Vice President for West Coast Trust and Investments. He has served on the KeyBank Advisory Board, West Coast Trust Board and was the board treasure of the Early Learning Coalition Board.

He has lived in Gig Harbor for almost 20 years. Rand is a supporter of the community and culture of Gig Harbor. Rand is a member and has supported Rotary over the last few years, helping with a projects on the Key Peninsula, is a founding member of the Gig Harbor Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and has attended many Taste of Gig Harbor functions.

Rand and his family have lived in the Northwest since 1996. He moved to Gig Harbor in 2003 after he visited it one weekend and knew that he wanted to live in this community.

Brian Buskirk
I was born and raised in Bremerton. My lovely wife Debbie and I have been together for over 47 years, and have three wonderful children, Brianna, Malia, and Brady! We live in downtown Gig Harbor, right above Morso’s Restaurant! I have been a Rotarian for over thirty years between the Silverdale Club and Gig Harbor Club! I’ve been a financial advisor for almost forty years, and was part of the broker advisor council at Royal Bank of Canada for four years, two as president. I also served on the broker advisor council for American Funds for over ten years. I have been on the Board of Directors for the Admiral Theatre in Bremerton for almost 20 years, 15 as President of the board, and still serve as a board member, also, the YMCA and Young Life Christian organization. I’m very interested assisting the Foundation, and the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor it supports, to give back to our community.
Christine Pellett
Upon retirement Chris moved to Gig Harbor in 2019 with her husband Gary. They moved from southern Oregon where Chris had been involved with numerous nonprofit boards in the areas of conservation, education and culture. Chris has been involved in Rotary since 1990 and joined the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor in 2019. Her professional work included commercial real estate appraisal and agriculture. Chris and her husband enjoy working in the garden, travel and working on conservation issues.
Mark Rieck
Mark Rieck joined the Gig Harbor Rotary Club (GHRC) in 2022, having been a member of clubs in Houston, Seattle, and Los Angeles. Mark has spent his career as a non-profit executive, leading health agencies and an international trade association for infrastructure professionals. He currently is a consultant on staff with the Arthritis Foundation, managing its boards and activities in Los Angeles and on the Central Coast of California, including the organization’s largest single fundraising event, the California Coast Classic cycling event from San Francisco to Malibu. Mark also serves on the board of directors for ION Charge USA, an off-grid EV fast charging company. In addition to serving on the board of the Gig Harbor Rotary Foundation, Mark is co-chair for the club’s International Rotary Foundation Liaison Committee, and Chair of the GHRC Development Committee. Mark and his wife Lynne live in Artondale, with their oldest daughter, her husband and three grand boys nearby.

Integrity

GHRF maintains a reputation of trust and stewardship through its honest, accountable and transparent leadership approach.

Responsibility

We know you’ve worked hard for your resources. GHRF is committed to prudent fiscal management of its resources.

Collaboration

We believe that building relationships and working with others lead to more powerful and lasting solutions.

Gig Harbor Rotary Foundation Funds

EDUCATION FUNDS

  • Mildred E. McColl Scholarship Fund – Provides Secondary Education Scholarships
  • Natucci Scholarship Fund – Education Endowment
  • General Education Funds

AVENUES OF SERVICE FUNDS

Funding for Community, Vocational, and Youth Projects

WOMEN’S PRISON PROGRAM & SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Reentry training/support and scholarships for inmates being released from Washington Correction Center for Women (Purdy Prison).

ENDOWMENT FUND

Supports projects and services provided by the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor.

 

Working With You

As your partner in giving, we offer expertise and many benefits to you.

SERVICE AND TRUST

We value and honor the trust you have placed in us to manage your contribution and honor your vision.

FLEXIBILITY

We will meet with you and your advisors to understand your goals and desires for philanthropic impact. Together we can find the solution for your charitable estate planning.

LOCAL PARTNER

We live here. We work here. We volunteer here. Our goal is to make Gig Harbor a better place. We welcome partners like you to join us in those efforts.

COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE

We know a lot about our communities. We can provide relevant information and expertise on charitable giving and community needs and issues.

Funding Your Passion

For over 25 years, The Gig Harbor Rotary Foundation and the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor have been doing that. Your contributions make a difference by supporting our scholastic and charitable good works.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Support the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor and the GHRF to bring people and resources together to address pressing challenges and promising opportunities.

SHARING SUCCESS

Our mutual experience, collaboration and interest in the areas of education, community, vocational, youth and international projects will make for a better world and ensure our mutual success and satisfaction.

LEAVING A LEGACY

Your gift can be a contribution, a bequest, or an endowment to the fund of your choice. Because we are a volunteer organization, over 95% of your donation goes to scholarships and project funding.