Greater Metro Parks Foundation
...because parks matter
Board of Directors
Mr. Jeff Quint joined the Greater Metro Parks Foundation in early 2006 and now serves as Board President, and Chair of the Communications Committee. Jeff is a local business owner of the TRIO Group - a firm dedicated to supplying exceptional printing, promotional products and marketing/advertising services to clients across the country. His primary focus is helping non-profit organizations develop their message and deliver them effectively to raise awareness and funds for their individual causes. Jeff is an active member of Rotary #8 of Tacoma. Jeff joined the Board of the Greater Metro Parks Foundation several years ago to help shape the transformation of this group from a volunteer organization to a philanthropic fundraising organization capable of undertaking large-scale projects that impact our regional community. Jeff believes our parks are a critical element to the "livability" of our region and play a critical role in helping our regional economy to prosper and attract, retain and grow businesses that provide a living for our families.
Mr. Richard Brady serves as Board Vice President and Chair of both the Board Development and Fundraising Committees of the Greater Metro Parks Foundation. He joined the board in 2006. Richard is an attorney in private practice. He has offices in Tacoma and Seattle. Richard's primary focus is on representing individuals and others in investment related disputes and securities arbitrations. Richard is an active member of Rotary #8 of Tacoma. He has served on the boards of Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Tacoma Actors Guild and other nonprofit organizations. Richard joined the board of Greater Metro Parks Foundation because he believes parks matter and contributes greatly to the health and livability of the community.
Ms. Sara Clair serves as Board Vice President of the Greater Metro Parks Foundation and joined its board in 2008. Sara also serves on the University of Washington, Tacoma Urban Studies Advisory Board and is active in organizing the Tacoma Waterfront Charrette for Youth. She is an active member of the Tacoma Waterfront Association, Foss Waterway Seaport, and Chinese Reconciliation Foundation. Sara has served as the parent coordinator for Habitat for Humanity’s Bellarmine Campus Chapter, the parent coordinator for Bellarmine’s Robotics Team, a volunteer for the Boy Scouts Troop 224, and a tutor for Werlin Reading Program at Birney School.
Mr. Leon Titus III joined the Greater Metro Parks Foundation in 2008 and now serves as Board Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. Leon is an Associate at CBRE Commercial Real Estate. Parks were an integral part of his early formative years. Having been born and raised in Tacoma he has had the opportunity of using the local parks on numerous occasions throughout the years. Whether it was through youth soccer and baseball or today through many rides around Pt. Defiance Park, the parks have been a great source of pride and joy for Leon. So when he was offered a chance to be on the Foundation’s Board he jumped at the chance. Leon says, “This was my chance to give back to a park system that has been very instrumental in my upbringing. I want this to continue for others as well, because parks can and do make a difference in people’s lives. It did in mine.”
Ms. Andrea Smith serves as Board Secretary and Co-Chair of the Events Committee of the Greater Metro Parks Foundation and joined the board in1996. Andrea performs financial analysis for Wells Fargo Bank and is a member of the Tacoma Business Banking Team. She asserts that parks are an important part of our community and are a great resource for all to share without restrictions. She has stayed involved with the Foundation because she says, “No other group of government employees care as deeply or strongly about what they do and how they can make a difference in our community. Metro Parks Tacoma employees commit personal volunteer time outside of their paid hours because they care about programs, people and parks. I feel empowered by their enthusiasm and want to make the District the best in the state.”
Ms. Debbie Bingham serves as a Greater Metro Parks Foundation Board Member and joined the board in 2009. Debbie works for the City of Tacoma’s Economic Development Department as the International Program Development Specialist. Born and raised in Tacoma, Debbie has fond memories of frequenting the parks as a child, including an annual neighborhood Christmas football game at Garfield Park. Debbie is particularly interested in the Zina Linnik Project as she attended McCarver Elementary school as a child and works with the Hilltop community in her work at the City. She serves as Chair of the Fund for Women and Girls board and serves on the board of the World Affairs Council as well. Debbie has a BA in Japan Regional Studies from the UW Jackson School of International Studies and an MA in Applied Economics from Eastern Michigan University.
Ms. Sharon Chambers-Gordon serves as Co-Chair of the Events Committee on the Greater Metro Parks Foundation Board Member and joined the board in 2010. Sharon is the Director of the Fellowships Office for the University of Puget Sound. She is an active member of the academic community in her work at the University of Puget Sound. She loves the outdoors and enjoys walking and picnicking in the parks with her family. As a Greater Metro Parks Foundation Board Member she plans to make a difference in people’s lives, educating them about the value of parks as a community gathering place which provides added value for businesses, residences, and everyone’s quality of life. She also plans to be an advocate for the mission of the foundation to faculty, staff, and students at her workplace, encouraging them to use the park for special events, teach college classes in the park, as well as partner in community endeavors. Sharon hopes to focus on healthy lifestyles for children and young people through opportunities for education, exercise, and recreation. She is also excited about the community garden and the possibilities of organizing cooking classes that feature foods from the garden which can be incorporated for healthy meals.
Dr. Lisa Hoffman serves as a Greater Metro Parks Foundation Board Member and joined the board in 2010. Dr. Hoffman is Associate Professor of Urban Studies at the University of Washington Tacoma. She has a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from UC Berkeley and MA in China Regional Studies from the University of Washington's Jackson School of International Studies. She also sits on the board of the Tacoma Art Museum and Asia Pacific Cultural Center. Lisa and her students have been involved with the Zina Linnik Project and McCarver Elementary school since 2009. She believes in parks because they are critical spaces for public, community activities in our diverse cities.
Mr. George Pilant serves as a Greater Metro Parks Foundation Board Member and joined the board in 2008. He is an Associate Broker for RE/MAX Professionals. George grew up in Tacoma and the parks played an important part in his early development; learning to swim in the Titlow pool, summer activity programs at Jefferson Park, seeing animals at the zoo, and discovering “forests and beaches” at Point Defiance Park. He is working on the Board to help sustain Tacoma’s parks so that other generations of children and families can have similar experiences. George also asserts, “Professionally speaking, great parks help maintain the vitality of our neighborhoods and have a positive impact on real estate values.”
Mr. Robert S. Thoms serves as a Greater Metro Parks Foundation Board Member and joined its board in 2008. He is the Vice President of Thompson Smitch Consulting Group, a government relations firm headquartered in Tacoma. Robert recently had a son, rekindling his interest and affinity for Tacoma’s parks. He had known friends who worked with Metro Parks Tacoma and admired their advocacy, so he decided to support them in a more personal and meaningful way. Robert asserts that parks are one way to measure the health and confidence of a community. He says, “I am thrilled to be associated with GMPF and MPT to ensure Tacoma, indeed our region, puts our best face forward by welcoming residents new and old to the park systems, ensuring wise stewardship into the future. I am honored to play a role.”
Mr. Todd Ward serves as a Greater Metro Parks Foundation Board Member and joined its board in 2008. Todd is a local business owner of Todd Ward LLC – a project management and construction consulting firm. He wants to give back to his city in a tangible and healthy way; the development of community. Todd says, “Community is an underrated but vital asset in our busy world. Parks provide an avenue for the development of community that transcends race, economic position, and politics. Vibrant parks make a difference!”
Greater Metro Parks Foundation - Executive Director
Drew Ebersole is currently the Executive Director of the Greater Metro Parks Foundation. His additional community involvements include: American Leadership Forum - Senior Fellow Class XVI, Board Chair for the Center for Spiritual Living Tacoma, Board Chair for All As One – an orphanage and school in Sierra Leone Africa, the Early Learning Consortium, the Pierce County Road to End Homelessness, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of SPS. His commitment to parks and working with innovative solutions to civically engage youth and community via parks projects is of paramount importance. He believes that Metro Parks Tacoma is a tremendous system, and is proud to serve the impressive people of this region. His wife CJ and son Max are also enthusiastic park users, and he believes that Tacoma and its parks offer every one of its citizens’ exceptional experiences.
Metro Parks Tacoma Resource Development Manager (GMPF/MPT Liaison)
Jennifer Wolbrecht, has been working in the non-profit sector since 2001 and joined Metro Parks Tacoma in 2004. As the Resource Development Manager, she is responsible for developing and overseeing the fundraising work for recreation programs and park projects as well as coordinating the fundraising efforts for the 5 non-profits organizations that support the park district. She serves as Metro Parks’ staff liaison to the Greater Metro Parks Foundation and lends her expertise and that of her staff to resource all foundation fundraising efforts. Jennifer also serves the community as a board member for the BareFoot Collective – a movement arts organization, a member of Tacoma Rotary #8, the Pierce County Learning Consortium, the Congregational Care and Financial Stewardship Committees at St. Mark's Lutheran Church and sings in the PLU Choral Union. Jennifer is a big fan of Tacoma and loves the parks, especially because her husband Steve proposed to her at Wright Park!
Mr. Richard Brady serves as Board Vice President and Chair of both the Board Development and Fundraising Committees of the Greater Metro Parks Foundation. He joined the board in 2006. Richard is an attorney in private practice. He has offices in Tacoma and Seattle. Richard's primary focus is on representing individuals and others in investment related disputes and securities arbitrations. Richard is an active member of Rotary #8 of Tacoma. He has served on the boards of Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Tacoma Actors Guild and other nonprofit organizations. Richard joined the board of Greater Metro Parks Foundation because he believes parks matter and contributes greatly to the health and livability of the community.
Ms. Sara Clair serves as Board Vice President of the Greater Metro Parks Foundation and joined its board in 2008. Sara also serves on the University of Washington, Tacoma Urban Studies Advisory Board and is active in organizing the Tacoma Waterfront Charrette for Youth. She is an active member of the Tacoma Waterfront Association, Foss Waterway Seaport, and Chinese Reconciliation Foundation. Sara has served as the parent coordinator for Habitat for Humanity’s Bellarmine Campus Chapter, the parent coordinator for Bellarmine’s Robotics Team, a volunteer for the Boy Scouts Troop 224, and a tutor for Werlin Reading Program at Birney School.
Mr. Leon Titus III joined the Greater Metro Parks Foundation in 2008 and now serves as Board Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. Leon is an Associate at CBRE Commercial Real Estate. Parks were an integral part of his early formative years. Having been born and raised in Tacoma he has had the opportunity of using the local parks on numerous occasions throughout the years. Whether it was through youth soccer and baseball or today through many rides around Pt. Defiance Park, the parks have been a great source of pride and joy for Leon. So when he was offered a chance to be on the Foundation’s Board he jumped at the chance. Leon says, “This was my chance to give back to a park system that has been very instrumental in my upbringing. I want this to continue for others as well, because parks can and do make a difference in people’s lives. It did in mine.”
Ms. Andrea Smith serves as Board Secretary and Co-Chair of the Events Committee of the Greater Metro Parks Foundation and joined the board in1996. Andrea performs financial analysis for Wells Fargo Bank and is a member of the Tacoma Business Banking Team. She asserts that parks are an important part of our community and are a great resource for all to share without restrictions. She has stayed involved with the Foundation because she says, “No other group of government employees care as deeply or strongly about what they do and how they can make a difference in our community. Metro Parks Tacoma employees commit personal volunteer time outside of their paid hours because they care about programs, people and parks. I feel empowered by their enthusiasm and want to make the District the best in the state.”
Ms. Debbie Bingham serves as a Greater Metro Parks Foundation Board Member and joined the board in 2009. Debbie works for the City of Tacoma’s Economic Development Department as the International Program Development Specialist. Born and raised in Tacoma, Debbie has fond memories of frequenting the parks as a child, including an annual neighborhood Christmas football game at Garfield Park. Debbie is particularly interested in the Zina Linnik Project as she attended McCarver Elementary school as a child and works with the Hilltop community in her work at the City. She serves as Chair of the Fund for Women and Girls board and serves on the board of the World Affairs Council as well. Debbie has a BA in Japan Regional Studies from the UW Jackson School of International Studies and an MA in Applied Economics from Eastern Michigan University.
Ms. Sharon Chambers-Gordon serves as Co-Chair of the Events Committee on the Greater Metro Parks Foundation Board Member and joined the board in 2010. Sharon is the Director of the Fellowships Office for the University of Puget Sound. She is an active member of the academic community in her work at the University of Puget Sound. She loves the outdoors and enjoys walking and picnicking in the parks with her family. As a Greater Metro Parks Foundation Board Member she plans to make a difference in people’s lives, educating them about the value of parks as a community gathering place which provides added value for businesses, residences, and everyone’s quality of life. She also plans to be an advocate for the mission of the foundation to faculty, staff, and students at her workplace, encouraging them to use the park for special events, teach college classes in the park, as well as partner in community endeavors. Sharon hopes to focus on healthy lifestyles for children and young people through opportunities for education, exercise, and recreation. She is also excited about the community garden and the possibilities of organizing cooking classes that feature foods from the garden which can be incorporated for healthy meals.
Dr. Lisa Hoffman serves as a Greater Metro Parks Foundation Board Member and joined the board in 2010. Dr. Hoffman is Associate Professor of Urban Studies at the University of Washington Tacoma. She has a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from UC Berkeley and MA in China Regional Studies from the University of Washington's Jackson School of International Studies. She also sits on the board of the Tacoma Art Museum and Asia Pacific Cultural Center. Lisa and her students have been involved with the Zina Linnik Project and McCarver Elementary school since 2009. She believes in parks because they are critical spaces for public, community activities in our diverse cities.
Mr. George Pilant serves as a Greater Metro Parks Foundation Board Member and joined the board in 2008. He is an Associate Broker for RE/MAX Professionals. George grew up in Tacoma and the parks played an important part in his early development; learning to swim in the Titlow pool, summer activity programs at Jefferson Park, seeing animals at the zoo, and discovering “forests and beaches” at Point Defiance Park. He is working on the Board to help sustain Tacoma’s parks so that other generations of children and families can have similar experiences. George also asserts, “Professionally speaking, great parks help maintain the vitality of our neighborhoods and have a positive impact on real estate values.”
Mr. Robert S. Thoms serves as a Greater Metro Parks Foundation Board Member and joined its board in 2008. He is the Vice President of Thompson Smitch Consulting Group, a government relations firm headquartered in Tacoma. Robert recently had a son, rekindling his interest and affinity for Tacoma’s parks. He had known friends who worked with Metro Parks Tacoma and admired their advocacy, so he decided to support them in a more personal and meaningful way. Robert asserts that parks are one way to measure the health and confidence of a community. He says, “I am thrilled to be associated with GMPF and MPT to ensure Tacoma, indeed our region, puts our best face forward by welcoming residents new and old to the park systems, ensuring wise stewardship into the future. I am honored to play a role.”
Mr. Todd Ward serves as a Greater Metro Parks Foundation Board Member and joined its board in 2008. Todd is a local business owner of Todd Ward LLC – a project management and construction consulting firm. He wants to give back to his city in a tangible and healthy way; the development of community. Todd says, “Community is an underrated but vital asset in our busy world. Parks provide an avenue for the development of community that transcends race, economic position, and politics. Vibrant parks make a difference!”
Greater Metro Parks Foundation - Executive Director
Drew Ebersole is currently the Executive Director of the Greater Metro Parks Foundation. His additional community involvements include: American Leadership Forum - Senior Fellow Class XVI, Board Chair for the Center for Spiritual Living Tacoma, Board Chair for All As One – an orphanage and school in Sierra Leone Africa, the Early Learning Consortium, the Pierce County Road to End Homelessness, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of SPS. His commitment to parks and working with innovative solutions to civically engage youth and community via parks projects is of paramount importance. He believes that Metro Parks Tacoma is a tremendous system, and is proud to serve the impressive people of this region. His wife CJ and son Max are also enthusiastic park users, and he believes that Tacoma and its parks offer every one of its citizens’ exceptional experiences.
Metro Parks Tacoma Resource Development Manager (GMPF/MPT Liaison)
Jennifer Wolbrecht, has been working in the non-profit sector since 2001 and joined Metro Parks Tacoma in 2004. As the Resource Development Manager, she is responsible for developing and overseeing the fundraising work for recreation programs and park projects as well as coordinating the fundraising efforts for the 5 non-profits organizations that support the park district. She serves as Metro Parks’ staff liaison to the Greater Metro Parks Foundation and lends her expertise and that of her staff to resource all foundation fundraising efforts. Jennifer also serves the community as a board member for the BareFoot Collective – a movement arts organization, a member of Tacoma Rotary #8, the Pierce County Learning Consortium, the Congregational Care and Financial Stewardship Committees at St. Mark's Lutheran Church and sings in the PLU Choral Union. Jennifer is a big fan of Tacoma and loves the parks, especially because her husband Steve proposed to her at Wright Park!
Board Organization
The GMPF Board of Directors is composed of 12 members, including four officers and four committee chairs.
