Meet Your 2016 Executive Board of Directors!

AdrianPresident, Adrian Hilde of BPOC Services

Adrian Hilde owns and operates BPOC Services, a janitorial, facility services company that has proudly served Whatcom County since 2004.

He has been a Board Member since 2014 and attributes a lot of his success to being a part of the Ferndale Chamber.

Adrian has lived in Whatcom County since 1997. Prior to BPOC Services, he was a commercial fisherman for 11 years, and fish monger for 13 years. Adrian enjoys golfing, cooking and serving his clients.

 

Sarah Koehler business portrait. Bellingham, WA. © 2014 Mark TurnerVice President, Sarah Koehler of Friends of the Ferndale Library

Sarah has lived in the Ferndale area for over 20 years and has worked for the Whatcom County Library System for 18 yrs. She accepted the Ferndale Branch Manager position in spring of 2008 and quickly began looking for opportunities for the Library to get more involved in the Ferndale community. The Ferndale Chamber of Commerce has been an invaluable connection, giving Sarah the opportunity to promote the many services the Whatcom County Library System offers and the hard work the  Friends of the Ferndale Library.

 

Tim MillerTreasurer, Tim Miller of PSE Ferndale Generation Station

I grew up in Texas and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas, Austin.  Following college, I served as an officer in the US Navy for four years. My wife, Diane, and I moved to Whatcom County in 1992.  We specifically chose to live and raise our family here because we value the quality of life and natural beauty the area has to offer. My work brought me to the Ferndale area in 2000 as Plant Manager of the Tenaska Ferndale Cogeneration Station.  I have served as the Board appointed Treasurer for the Chamber since May of 2011.

 

Pete Harksell, Jr. business portrait. Bellingham, WA. © 2014 Mark Turner

Member at Large, Pete Harksell of Pete’s Auto Repair

I am a lifetime resident of Ferndale/Whatcom County. My wife Nita and I have owned and operated Pete’s Auto Repair in Ferndale for over 20 years. I am an ASE Certified Technician, Certified Parts Specialist and Certified Service Advisor. I have been an active member of the Ferndale Kiwanis for over 30 years, and have been both President and Secretary of the club. I have been a member of the Whatcom Old Settlers Association for the past 35 years, and was President in 1988.

 

Board Member Profile–Meet Our Newest Addition!

6c9180e9-4964-4887-bdd1-ddf394a65216My name is Lisa Hanley. I am the marketer for Baker Septic Tank Pumping Inc. and the owner of What A Pane Glass Studio. I have lived and worked locally for the last 11 years. While that chunk of time won’t qualify me as a local, it has certainly given me the opportunity to become quite invested in the welfare of our community. It is for that very reason that I work for Baker Septic, a family owned, 3rd generation led company that has strong roots in Ferndale. We take great pride in delivering excellent service as we take care of our customers, any time, day or night.
I believe that a community’s success stems in large part from thriving businesses, educational opportunities, job creation and enough resources for those in need. I am excited by the prospect of playing an active role as a board member, in any capacity necessary, to help foster Ferndale’s continued growth and wellness. I am especially interested in helping low income families learn about what options are available to them, and lessening any feelings of disenfranchisement they might be experiencing.

Board Member Profile

anya

Anya Milton, Ferndale Boys & Girls Club

As a Chamber Board Member and Ferndale Clubhouse Branch Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County, I have had the unique privilege of serving this community in a number of ways including serving on the Ferndale Prevention Network, the Domestic Violence Commission’s Child Witness Work Group and the STEP Grant Community Coordinated Response Team.

I have been fortunate enough to watch our community develop and flourish over the past 10 years and I’m committed to improving the opportunities for children to grow up in a safe and supported environment.  Prior to my current position, I ran the Street Outreach Program for homeless and runaway youth in Bellingham. In every interaction I had with the youth, I always found myself asking, how can the community further support youth to change their life’s trajectory?

Working for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County allows me to support a mission that enables ALL young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. I find that serving with the Chamber not only provides further investment in the community; it provides an important perspective to local businesses on local children’s needs.

Board Member Profile

danDan Toperosky moved to the Ferndale area two years ago to take the Health Safety and Environmental Manager job at Phillips 66 refinery. He is  originally from Central Alberta, Canada, but spent the previous 17 year on the Gulf Coast in the communities south of Houston.

Toperosky took the position as Ferndale Chamber Board Member about 18 months ago.

“It has provided me an opportunity to give back to the community we moved into and learn a great deal about Ferndale and the county,” Toperosky said.

Each year, Toperosky is heavily involved with running the Ferndale Street Festival’s Phillips 66 Beer/Tent Garden and he looks forward to his third year under the tent this August.

In his free time, Toperosky enjoys playing with his two 11 year old kids.

“We are getting out and taking advantage of the opportunities this area provides and my wife and I have been trying to teach my kids to ski, fish, hike and bike. One of my bucket list goals is to visit all the National Parks, and was able to visit three in the last year,” Toperosky said.