South County Fire welcomes five volunteer Fire Corps

Five new members recently bolstered the South County Fire volunteer Fire Corps.

New volunteers are Robin Boyer, Chris Hayes, Nickita “Nick” Tucker, Judy Underhill and Merle Wong. They join a team of eight volunteers: Rojean Backman, Carrie Baldwin, Nancy Dungeon, Asa Louis, Betty McAuley, Wini Neill, Alan Park and Sara Trimble.

They serve the community and assist in promoting public safety, including through fire and injury prevention education, assisting at community events and other programs.

South County Fire is the largest fire and emergency medical services district in Snohomish County, serving more than 250,000 residents in unincorporated communities and the cities of Brier, Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace.

Learn more about becoming a Fire Corps volunteer at www.southsnofire.org/FireCorps.

EvCC chooses Robert Hill and Cathy Leaker for vice president jobs

Everett Community College has chosen Robert Hill and Cathy Leaker for vice president positions, following a national search.

Hill will be vice president of student services, and Leaker will be vice president of instruction. Both are set to begin work on July 1.

Hill was previously dean of student services at Glendale Community College in California. He has more than 23 years of experience in higher education, as an administrator, faculty member and coach.

Leaker was previously dean of faculty at the City University of New York, Kingsborough Community College, where she oversaw faculty support and development. That included the Kingsborough Center for Teaching and Learning, the Kingsborough Center for eLearning, and the Kingsborough Historically Underrepresented Faculty and Staff Resource Center.

Before Hill and Leaker were hired, one executive vice president took on both roles. Two positions are now needed to serve the 19,000 students who enroll at EvCC each year.

The college received more than 70 applications for each position, reviewed by students, faculty and staff. Hill and Leaker were chosen to be hired after visits to campus that included student, employee and community forums.

Visit EverettCC.edu/VPSearch for more information.

Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation welcomes new board member

Jennie de Mello e Souza has joined the Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation board of directors.

De Mello e Souza has lived in Edmonds for more than 20 years. She’s a local art instructor, and also teaches Art Education at Western Washington University and Visual Arts at Redmond High School. She’s received several art instruction grants from the Edmonds foundation and knows first-hand how the money helps the community.

“I truly believe that the arts can change the lives of children for the better,” she said in a news release.

De Mello e Souza will be working with teachers and artists through the foundation’s Art Instruction Grants program.

The Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation gives more than $80,000 annually for art scholarships, educational grants to schools and community grants to local nonprofits. It also has given more than $1 million for public art installations and special projects in Edmonds.

All profits form the yearly Edmonds Arts Festival in June goes toward the foundation’s programs. Learn more at EAFFoundation.org.

Lynnwood Mayor chosen to serve on regional transportation board

Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith has been chosen to serve on the Community Transit Board of Directors and the Sound Transit Board of Directors.

With the eventual arrival of light rail to the Lynnwood City Center Station, the city hopes to work with transportation partners to work on traffic in and around city streets.

“This is a great honor, and a valuable opportunity that gives Lynnwood a strong voice in advocating for transportation improvements for South Snohomish County,” Smith said in a news release.

On the Community Transit board, Smith is one of nine elected officials from Snohomish County. On the Sound Transit board, she’s one of three elected officials from Snohomish County, to serve along with 10 others from King and Pierce counties, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.

First woman to become a career firefighter in Marysville retires

Krista Longspaugh retired from the Marysville Fire District earlier this month after 24 years in service. She was the first woman to become a career firefighter in the city.

Longspaugh began working for the district as a part-time firefighter in 1996. She started as a drive/operator, and was also an integral part of the Marysville Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 3219.

“I’m honored to serve this community,” Longspaugh said in a news release. “We really are a family here and the friendships I’ve made are something I’ll always cherish.”

Her last shift was Feb. 14.