Encore December 2019

ENCORE

A Guide to a

Fulfilling Senior Life

in Whatcom County

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

What’s Inside....

C3 — From marketing to pottery, Lynn Guiliani is a woman of many talents.

C8 — Five county government leaders share their thoughts as they move on to retirement

A supplement of the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 18, 2019 | Ferndale Record

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 18, 2019 | Ferndale Record

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Constantly progressing Lynn Giuliani new to Jansen Art Center board, but a proven pro in many ways She loves what she does — from improving companies to helping nonprofits

By Elisa Claassen for the Lynden Tribune

LYNDEN ­ — Lynn Giuliani, who was named the Professional Woman of the Year by the Whatcom Women in Business in October, is the founder and president of Progressions Inc., a company for advising and consulting with businesses on what to do to grow and present themselves better.

“It was actually surreal,” said the 14-year Lynden-area resident in a WWIB press release. “I’ve gone over that in my mind several times and it was like, ‘Did they really just say my name?’”

The professional speaker and trainer came out of a substantial background in banking and financial institutions before founding Progressions: 10 years at Bank of America, nine years at SeaFirst and three years at Washington Mutual.

She started in banking at age 17, was handling cash at age 18, and focused on the sales and marketing aspects of finances in contrast to operations for the early years of her career. As she moved up, her employers paid for her to further develop her innate leadership skills.

After receiving the award, Giuliani heard from a close friend who had also been at the gala. Heather Othmer said she’d never before seen Giuliani at a loss for words. “But I was,” Giuliani said. “I was so surprised and so taken aback — I was truly speechless. To be honored by this group is an honor.”

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A hobby Lynn Giuliani has picked up lately is making pottery at the Jansen Art Center of Lynden, and she is also a faithful attender at the Thursday evening Live in the Piano Lounge musical performances. (Courtesy photo/Lynn Giuliani)

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 18, 2019 | Ferndale Record

C4 WWIB is a membership-based, volunteer-run nonprofit made up of business owners and managers who are proactive role models within their organizations and the community at large.

Through teaching, learning, leadership and peer support, Whatcom Women strives to exemplify and promote in these four areas: leadership, professionalism, mentoring and community.

Giuliani’s approach is to form a partnership with her clients and then, using her coaching model and vast experience, walk them through all the steps of possible change.

“I absolutely love what I do,” she said by phone. Local clients include community banks, Avenue Bread, The Chrysalis Inn & Spa and Whatcom County administration. While those entities might seem to be quite different, they share in the need for good communication and leadership structures.

“I temper each class to the audience,” she said of observing the special needs of each client.

Guiliani has written columns for Business Pulse magazine, authored five books and created over 300 training modules. She also holds the prestigious designation of Certified Speaking Pro-

Lynn Giulian has had a career that started in banking, but progressed into the sales and marketing dimension of finance, then leadership development and on to general advising and consulting for organizations. (Courtesy photo)

fessional — earned by fewer than 300 women worldwide.

Now with almost 50 years of experience in her field, Giuliani is often called upon to speak in classrooms throughout the United States, in one-on-one executive coaching, and even on cruise ships.

In 12 years on the ships she has been to Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska and elsewhere speaking on “lifestyle” and communication topics — while earning free passage.

In the past five years Guiliani has dedicated a good portion of her time to sharing her speaking and training talents with nonprofits, including locally Lydia Place, Engedi Refuge, Northwest Youth Services and now the Jansen Art Center of Lynden.

“It’s become a very big part of my life,” she said of the new emphasis at age 70.

She also offers guidance on fundraising at the Jansen, and she might be seen at a local auction with undoubtedly one of her handmade pottery pieces as a donation, according to the Whatcom Women in Business announcement.

This has actually just happened.

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ENCORE “I never really had a hobby and after a lifetime in corporate life I found clay,” Giuliani says. “Now I stretch my creativity through art.”

She adds, “In the autumn of my life it’s nice to be able to use the skills from my career to give back to others.”

“Art in our community is so very important,” she said. “The center provides an atmosphere that welcomes all to appreciate and learn more about the arts and music within our community.

Every Thursday night is a free concert and there’s something going on all the time to welcome folks through its doors.”

“I’m hooked,” she said of the camaraderie of those coming regularly on Thursday nights. “It’s like ‘Cheers’ … great people. I love it there.”

Lynn and her husband, Mike, an investor and partner in businesses, have been married for 33 years and share four children between them and five grandchildren. She relocated from Bellingham to Lynden to be closer to her husband, who actually lives in Canada, although they spend quite a bit of time together. Of Lynden, she said, “It’s the perfect location.”

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 18, 2019 | Ferndale Record

Lynn Giuliani and her husband, Mike, share four children and five grandchildren between them, as well as their lifelong inclination toward business success. Lynn lives near Wiser Lake. (Courtesy photo)

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 18, 2019 | Ferndale Record

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Dave McEachran first came to work in the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney's Office in January 1972 and he decided two years later to run for the elected top position. He would go on to win 11 four-year terms heading the department, until retirement in December 2018. But he came out of retirement in 2019 to prosecute the Mandi Stavik murder case that had gone unsolved across more than 29 years. (Courtesy photos/Dave McEachran)

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 18, 2019 | Ferndale Record

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Dave McEachran enjoyed the challenge of the courtroom trial situation, and in his long career he personally prosecuted many high-profile criminal cases for Whatcom County. Across the years, the size of the prosecutor's department also grew greatly in size, requiring its management and funding, and civil advising for other departments. McEachran has also served in statewide associations and in roles related to law and justice. (Courtesy photos/Dave McEachran)

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 18, 2019 | Ferndale Record

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Five retiring from county government share parting thoughts Honored: Jack Louws, Debbie Adelstein, Dave McEachran, Keith Willnauer and Barbara Brenner

By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com

WHATCOM — Five who have served in Whatcom County government elected office — three of long tenure and two for two terms — have retired or are retiring as of the end of 2019.

At the Dec. 3 County Council meeting, commemorative plaques were presented to departing department heads Jack Louws, Debbie Adelstein and Keith Willnauer. Also, the council honored longtime

member Barbara Brenner and retired county prosecutor Dave McEachran.

Jack Louws is completing eight years as County Executive after also being Lynden’s mayor for eight years (200109) and a Lynden City Council member for four (1990-94). He comes from a business background in building construction.

Debbie Adelstein has been the County Auditor for the past eight years as well. She has more than 20 years in at the Courthouse, having worked for County Executive Pete Kremen before joining the Auditor’s Office.

Keith Willnauer has had a run of nearly 42 years in the Whatcom County Assessor’s Office. He will have served eight successive terms as the elected Assessor in his career.

Barbara Brenner almost

matches Willnauer in longevity, first elected to her position on the County Council in 1991.

Her District 3 seat from the Ferndale area is phased out by the county’s new system of five districts.

Dave McEachran is the longest-serving of all, with 11 full terms as Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney and 47 years in all in the prosecutor’s office, when he stepped down at the end of 2018. But he was very visibly back on duty this year prosecuting a conviction for the county in the Mandi Stavik murder case from 1989.

The Tribune invited these five county veterans to reflect about their years of service as well as share any plans for retirement and words of wisdom about being in public service.

Here’s what they wrote.

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Jack Louws My experience as County Executive was for the most part very rewarding. I take satisfaction from the work accomplished internal to the organization such as information technology improvements, customer service initiatives, and refined budget processes.

While not accomplishing the goal of a new correctional facility, I’m pleased with our work in our Road and Bridge programs, with the repair of the Courthouse, the construction of a new 32-bed triage facility, creating an implementation plan regarding Swift Creek, and the start of construction on the Birch Bay Berm Project.

I’m also pleased that our core services have been reasonably augmented as we are growing, particularly regarding Public Safety and Emergency

Jack Louws Services. I’ll hold close the memory of working with many individuals within county government. They are a fine group

where living is easy.

Continued on C9

,

ENCORE of people!

Retirement: Next year is planned as a year of reflection on what Cindy and I have done in the last 40 years, with the goal of charting our future in retirement. We both want to continue being involved in community, but we are going to take some time traveling while figuring out what that looks like.

Public service: I was taught by my Dad through his actions that giving back is a civic responsibility. I encourage everyone to do something, whether it be as an elected official or as a volunteer in a community organization. It takes all of us to create community, and everyone adds value regardless of the position. Who knows? You may be on an advisory committee today, a council person in ten years and County Executive in 20! It could happen, but only if you make the commitment to start!

I’d like to thank the community for the opportunity to

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 18, 2019 | Ferndale Record be involved. It has been a good 20 years serving as a councilman, mayor and executive. It’s time to move on to new adventures. As I like to tell people, with me leaving it gives you the opportunity to step in and take over. Will you?

Debbie Adelstein I first came to work for Whatcom County in 1996 to join the staff in the Executive’s office. I made the move to the Auditor’s office in 2002 to take the position of supervisor of records/licensing and later became chief deputy auditor in 2004. That all provided me with a great background on the operations of the Auditor’s Office.

When then County Auditor Shirley Forslof decided to retire, I ran for the Auditor’s position in 2011 and have served in that position until now. Having the background of

Debbie Adelstein all the other previous positions gave me a great perspective of county operations and I was able to hit the ground running, so to speak. My stress on this position was always that the Auditor needs to have a nonpartisan perspective and serve all citizens and interests. They

needed to know that in coming into my office everyone would get the same even-handed approach. I think everyone came to rely on the fact that everyone was being treated the same and being given the same opportunities.

And particularly with regard to elections, there would be no special treatment in any way, shape or form. The feedback I’ve been given over the years is that everyone felt this and knew they could rely on that from this office. I regularly participated with all factions within the county and made myself available for any and all questions. It truly was an opendoor policy in this office and I am proud to have been able to provide that as had my predecessor, Shirley Forslof, and as will my successor, Diana Bradrick.

The relationships I built throughout the state with other auditors as well as state administrators and legislators was one of the very worthwhile

“perks” of service in this office.

I was particularly proud of receiving the Auditor of the Year Award for 2015 from the Secretary of State’s Office.

Retirement: At this point, I am moving to retirement with no specific “game plan” in mind. I am open to evaluating what will come my way. I will have time to volunteer where I will be needed and to complete my current volunteer commitments that I have had over the years without having to sit at my computer until 10 p.m. in the evening! I will always be committed to this community and will continue to serve where I can. But I look forward to spending more time with my grandchildren (three boys) and my son and daughter and their spouses who live in the Seattle area. They are my joy!

Public service: Be involved in whatever way you can. Don’t underestimate your abilities. You really do make a Continued on C10

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 18, 2019 | Ferndale Record

C10 difference. I enjoyed speaking to classes of young people when I had the chance and I always encouraged them not to hold back. Get involved, even if it meant just attending school board meetings and getting a sense of the broad perspective. Volunteer for committees of whatever organization and give what time you can. Start small and then move on!

Dave McEachran I joined the prosecutor’s office in January 1972 as a deputy prosecutor.

Whatcom County was much smaller in those days and I handled the prosecution on all of the minor crimes and did one-half of the serious crimes.

I planned on working in prosecution for a few years to learn trial skills and then go into private business practice. However, I found the work fasci-

nating and enjoyed the relationship with law enforcement and the victims we were trying to help. Consequently, I decided to run for the office of Prosecuting Attorney in 1974. I was elected and started my first four-year term in January 1975. I was elected to 11 fouryear terms and retired on Dec. 31, 2018.

As the years progressed, the county grew and my office did also to keep up with our burgeoning caseload. As the elected prosecutor I handled almost all of the homicides and many of the serious cases as well as working with all of the other elected officials and departments in the county providing legal advice and representation.

Throughout my entire career I truly enjoyed serving the public as a state officer in the criminal duties of the office and as a county official on the civil side of the office. I established a victim/witness division and we worked very closely with the victims of crimes and their families as we supported them through many difficult problems caused by crime.

Retirement: I am approaching retirement with some apprehension, due to the past 47 years filled with many crises and a lack of time to accomplish all of the things that had to be done. To be out of the mix in this demanding job is somewhat daunting. I have many hobbies and interests outside of prosecution that I hope will fill my time and my passion to be busy.

Public service: I felt very honored and humbled to have been entrusted by the people of Whatcom County to serve as their elected Prosecuting Attorney for all of these years. I will always feel very grateful for that trust.

Keith Willnauer Dave McEachran

I cannot imagine having a more

It’s as Easy as 1 - 2 - 3!

family, but also on the golf course, on a chair lift or with a fly rod. More giving is planned, while there may be room for new adventures as well.

Public service: Without seeming glib, public service requires serious bravery. I’d advise the development of a strategic focus to find the best in everybody, and allow for great fulfillment and a bounty of success. Thanks to everybody.

Barbara Brenner

Keith Willnauer character-enriching career. I have had the opportunity to work alongside a cadre of people whose commitments and energy to improve our communities has been inspiring.

Without seeming self-indulgent, most of the satisfaction has been personal. I’m most contented by the thought that my challenging involvements may have added tangible stability into the difficult and contentious environments of public service. I have allowed myself a deepening appreciation for my particular profession and the institutions it serves. The introduction of computer technological tools added colorful task modifications and pragmatic problem solving, while at the same time the historical context of the mission of the Assessor’s Office continued as constant with deepening clarity.

Retirement: I am a taxpayer. It will be very difficult to ignore my past. I will work out my weariness alongside my

Continued on C11

Barbara Brenner

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I get the most satisfaction from being able to help people. Being bipolar has always caused me (and many times those around me) some difficulties. But there is at least one perk. I discovered during my time, first as an activist and then as a County Council member, that

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 18 2019 | Ferndale Record

ENCORE I can feel what others feel, even if it is for something that I wouldn’t necessarily support.

Because of that, after knowing people’s positions, along with their feelings about their positions, it helps me understand much more and can sometimes change my opinion, get them to change theirs, or simply agree to disagree.

Retirement: I don’t know. For sure, it will involve spending more time with my husband, also with my children and grandchildren, and my sisters who live in other places. I haven’t had the time to do much of that in my years on the council because I am obsessive and always needed to be available to help people here.

Public service: I am not normal, so maybe I don’t see things like others. But maybe we need more abnormal people who aren’t politicians to get into public office.

Think for yourself, don’t feel you owe anyone political favors, don’t accept money or endorsements, and put in the time to help everyone, not just those you know and/or with whom you agree. Be willing to fight back against those who think they know best when you believe differently. Use public service as a service, not as a stepping stone to something else. Biggest challenge has always been trying to make the best decision. My heart usually decides.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 18, 2019 | Ferndale Record

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