Meet your Elected Leadership Team
Title
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member |
Name
Lewis Brown Adam Star Karen Leitner Mitch Grafstein Sarah Peoples Patrick McNulty Doris McConnell Chris Youngs Zach Holliday |
You can reach the board at, [email protected]
Subcommittees
Point Wells
|
non-board positions
Role
Webmaster Graphic Designer Photographer Legal Counsel |
Name
Patrick McNulty Young Ritzo Bob Pfeiffer Bill Willard |
richmond beach community news
Role
Production Manager Ad Manager Billing Circulation |
Meet the board
Sarah Peoples
Sarah moved to Richmond Beach in 2018 with her husband and three kids from Phinney Ridge. She grew up in Bothell/Kenmore but had never explored this area and was immediately smitten with its natural beauty, engaged community, and pace of life. Crabbing at Richmond Beach, volunteering at the Strawberry Festival, and joining a neighborhood 4th of July parade are some of her most favorite RB activities.
Sarah has an MA in Teaching and is a National Board-Certified Teacher. She has worked in education for 17 years as a classroom teacher and now a literacy specialist, trainer, and administrator. In her free time, she enjoys camping, paddleboarding, gardening, jogging, coaching her daughter's basketball team, and attending all her kids' various sporting events. She looks forward to using her skills in planning, recruiting, and implementing to support the RBCA.
Sarah moved to Richmond Beach in 2018 with her husband and three kids from Phinney Ridge. She grew up in Bothell/Kenmore but had never explored this area and was immediately smitten with its natural beauty, engaged community, and pace of life. Crabbing at Richmond Beach, volunteering at the Strawberry Festival, and joining a neighborhood 4th of July parade are some of her most favorite RB activities.
Sarah has an MA in Teaching and is a National Board-Certified Teacher. She has worked in education for 17 years as a classroom teacher and now a literacy specialist, trainer, and administrator. In her free time, she enjoys camping, paddleboarding, gardening, jogging, coaching her daughter's basketball team, and attending all her kids' various sporting events. She looks forward to using her skills in planning, recruiting, and implementing to support the RBCA.
Lewis Brown
I am the new President this year for the Richmond Beach Community Association. I moved to Richmond Beach from Los Angeles, where my wife and I were public school educators for many years. As part of my retirement, I joined the Community Association to be a part of a neighborhood and assist with many events as a volunteer. As President I get to handle the paperwork and monthly Board meetings. For me, though, the best is being a part of our community and sharing the events with you.
I was a specialty contractor in my first career in Southern California. I worked throughout Los Angeles County for many years. My second career was as a public elementary school teacher for 20 years. I moved to Richmond Beach to be near my family after my wife and I retired from teaching in the public schools in Southern California.
I have had experience representing my community. The City of Los Angeles organized representation from the many neighborhoods that make up the sprawling metropolis there. I served my local neighborhood on the Board of the Neighborhood Council in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles.
Our family backgrounds exemplified service. My father was a pastor and professor, and my wife’s father was a career Air Force officer. My wife and I are both college graduates with B.A. and Master’s degrees. Our three adult children are married, and we have seven grandchildren, two in Shoreline, and 5 in Maryland. Family is one of our great pleasures in life. We can take life a little slower now and are enjoying the Pacific Northwest. I want to learn to fish for salmon, I love long walks and hikes in the forest, and writing.
I am the new President this year for the Richmond Beach Community Association. I moved to Richmond Beach from Los Angeles, where my wife and I were public school educators for many years. As part of my retirement, I joined the Community Association to be a part of a neighborhood and assist with many events as a volunteer. As President I get to handle the paperwork and monthly Board meetings. For me, though, the best is being a part of our community and sharing the events with you.
I was a specialty contractor in my first career in Southern California. I worked throughout Los Angeles County for many years. My second career was as a public elementary school teacher for 20 years. I moved to Richmond Beach to be near my family after my wife and I retired from teaching in the public schools in Southern California.
I have had experience representing my community. The City of Los Angeles organized representation from the many neighborhoods that make up the sprawling metropolis there. I served my local neighborhood on the Board of the Neighborhood Council in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles.
Our family backgrounds exemplified service. My father was a pastor and professor, and my wife’s father was a career Air Force officer. My wife and I are both college graduates with B.A. and Master’s degrees. Our three adult children are married, and we have seven grandchildren, two in Shoreline, and 5 in Maryland. Family is one of our great pleasures in life. We can take life a little slower now and are enjoying the Pacific Northwest. I want to learn to fish for salmon, I love long walks and hikes in the forest, and writing.
Karen Leitner
After moving to Richmond Beach in 2013, Karen and her husband raised their two children in the area, becoming deeply involved in the community. She has always participated in local events and activities, helping to maintain the neighborhood's lively spirit.
As a local real estate broker, Karen is eager to continue supporting projects that keep Richmond Beach vibrant. Her dedication to the community makes her a valued member of the neighborhood.
After moving to Richmond Beach in 2013, Karen and her husband raised their two children in the area, becoming deeply involved in the community. She has always participated in local events and activities, helping to maintain the neighborhood's lively spirit.
As a local real estate broker, Karen is eager to continue supporting projects that keep Richmond Beach vibrant. Her dedication to the community makes her a valued member of the neighborhood.
Patrick McNulty
Patrick joined the RBCA Board in 2021 and has been living in Richmond Beach since 2017. He and his wife, Meredith, fell in love with Richmond Beach after several visits to Saltwater park and the annual Strawberry Festival. Their two children attend St. Luke School and love trips to Kayu Kayu Ac Park & Kruckeberg Botanic Garden. Patrick obtained a BSBA in marketing from John Carroll University, an International Business Concentration from Bond University in Australia, and an Executive MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology. His professional career involves Go-To-Market leadership of sales, marketing, success, and revenue operations functions for B2B SaaS companies. For fun Patrick likes to cycle with his kiddos, garden, work on home projects, cook, and travel. His interests in the community involve family activity, community activation, local business support, and public works projects.
Patrick joined the RBCA Board in 2021 and has been living in Richmond Beach since 2017. He and his wife, Meredith, fell in love with Richmond Beach after several visits to Saltwater park and the annual Strawberry Festival. Their two children attend St. Luke School and love trips to Kayu Kayu Ac Park & Kruckeberg Botanic Garden. Patrick obtained a BSBA in marketing from John Carroll University, an International Business Concentration from Bond University in Australia, and an Executive MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology. His professional career involves Go-To-Market leadership of sales, marketing, success, and revenue operations functions for B2B SaaS companies. For fun Patrick likes to cycle with his kiddos, garden, work on home projects, cook, and travel. His interests in the community involve family activity, community activation, local business support, and public works projects.
Mitch Grafstein
Mitch moved to Richmond Beach in 2019 with his two school-aged sons, wife Jessica, and their little Havanese pup named Figgy. They previously lived in the Ridgecrest and North City neighborhoods in Shoreline, and they love the community, natural beauty, and quality of life that Richmond Beach provides. Mitch’s professional career has included commercial real estate, B2B sales/sales enablement, and project management. Mitch obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UC San Diego. In his free time Mitch enjoys home improvement projects, gardening, cooking, travel, jazz music, recreation sports including water polo and volleyball, and learning to be a better parent. He and Jessica both value community building, environmentalism, and tikkun olam which is Hebrew for “repairing the world” (basically social action).
Mitch moved to Richmond Beach in 2019 with his two school-aged sons, wife Jessica, and their little Havanese pup named Figgy. They previously lived in the Ridgecrest and North City neighborhoods in Shoreline, and they love the community, natural beauty, and quality of life that Richmond Beach provides. Mitch’s professional career has included commercial real estate, B2B sales/sales enablement, and project management. Mitch obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UC San Diego. In his free time Mitch enjoys home improvement projects, gardening, cooking, travel, jazz music, recreation sports including water polo and volleyball, and learning to be a better parent. He and Jessica both value community building, environmentalism, and tikkun olam which is Hebrew for “repairing the world” (basically social action).
Chris Youngs
Chris moved to Richmond Beach with his family–wife Kristin and two kiddos–in the summer of 2019 from the Seward Park neighborhood of Seattle. He and his family have been amazed by the warmth and beauty of this community and feel fortunate to have found a neighborhood that truly feels like home. Chris joined the board in May 2023, hoping he can help contribute to the success of the many RBCA events he and his family have enjoyed over the last four years. A lifelong Washingtonian, Chris grew up in Puyallup and attended the University of Washington for both undergraduate and graduate school. (Go Dawgs!) He worked in game development for many years before joining Amazon in 2018, where he works for one of their Customer Service tech teams. Hobbies include driving the family minivan to countless kid activities, working in his vegetable garden, fishing, travel, reading, and cooking.
Chris moved to Richmond Beach with his family–wife Kristin and two kiddos–in the summer of 2019 from the Seward Park neighborhood of Seattle. He and his family have been amazed by the warmth and beauty of this community and feel fortunate to have found a neighborhood that truly feels like home. Chris joined the board in May 2023, hoping he can help contribute to the success of the many RBCA events he and his family have enjoyed over the last four years. A lifelong Washingtonian, Chris grew up in Puyallup and attended the University of Washington for both undergraduate and graduate school. (Go Dawgs!) He worked in game development for many years before joining Amazon in 2018, where he works for one of their Customer Service tech teams. Hobbies include driving the family minivan to countless kid activities, working in his vegetable garden, fishing, travel, reading, and cooking.
Adam Star
Adam joined the RBCA Board in 2022. Adam has been living in Richmond Beach since 2020 with his wife, Katya and daughter, Amelia. Originally from the east coast, Adam and Katya moved to the Seattle area in 2012 and lived in Ballard until just after Amelia was born. They were immediately attracted to Richmond Beach’s family friendly environment, community traditions and beautiful scenery. You can often find the Stars at Richmond Beach Community Park playground or partaking in Amelia’s favorite activity, watching the trains at Kayu Kayu.
In his spare time, Adam enjoys traveling with his family, attempting to master his grill or dutch oven depending on the season, sampling Washington's many fine breweries, grilling, distilleries and wineries, golfing and (the fun, not super hard) Peloton rides. Adam is an active member of the Washington State Bar and currently works for Amazon Web Services as an attorney specializing in privacy and security regulatory issues. He has a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and a J.D. from the Seattle University School of Law. Adam also volunteers for Cornell Alumni Ambassador Network and Washington Lawyers for the Arts.
Adam joined the RBCA Board in 2022. Adam has been living in Richmond Beach since 2020 with his wife, Katya and daughter, Amelia. Originally from the east coast, Adam and Katya moved to the Seattle area in 2012 and lived in Ballard until just after Amelia was born. They were immediately attracted to Richmond Beach’s family friendly environment, community traditions and beautiful scenery. You can often find the Stars at Richmond Beach Community Park playground or partaking in Amelia’s favorite activity, watching the trains at Kayu Kayu.
In his spare time, Adam enjoys traveling with his family, attempting to master his grill or dutch oven depending on the season, sampling Washington's many fine breweries, grilling, distilleries and wineries, golfing and (the fun, not super hard) Peloton rides. Adam is an active member of the Washington State Bar and currently works for Amazon Web Services as an attorney specializing in privacy and security regulatory issues. He has a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and a J.D. from the Seattle University School of Law. Adam also volunteers for Cornell Alumni Ambassador Network and Washington Lawyers for the Arts.
Doris McConnell
Doris has been an active volunteer of this association since her family moved here in 1987. Her father had a 22-year career in the army therefore, they lived in many places. By the time she graduated from high school she had attended at least six schools. She continued to move around for school or work until her family bought a home in Richmond Beach 36 years ago, where she continues to be happy to call Richmond Beach and its community her home. She raised two kids here, both who live nearby.
Her background of local volunteering started on the Klahaya Board as well as all the Shoreline PTA boards in the schools her kids attended. Currently, she is a Shoreline City Councilmember, having served since 2008.
She is not new to volunteering in the RB community. She chaired the Halloween Carnival Raffle Table for over a decade as well as the RBCA Pizza Mia fundraiser lunch. She has chosen to join the board this year because this is something she has always wanted to do. Our incoming board is a mix of residents who all have the passion of volunteerism as their motivation in being on the board. She looks forward to seeing neighbors in this role as well as being involved in the planning and implementation of our awesome events. With a full board, we are looking forward in the coming year to a full slate of community events. Let’s have a great year.
Doris has been an active volunteer of this association since her family moved here in 1987. Her father had a 22-year career in the army therefore, they lived in many places. By the time she graduated from high school she had attended at least six schools. She continued to move around for school or work until her family bought a home in Richmond Beach 36 years ago, where she continues to be happy to call Richmond Beach and its community her home. She raised two kids here, both who live nearby.
Her background of local volunteering started on the Klahaya Board as well as all the Shoreline PTA boards in the schools her kids attended. Currently, she is a Shoreline City Councilmember, having served since 2008.
She is not new to volunteering in the RB community. She chaired the Halloween Carnival Raffle Table for over a decade as well as the RBCA Pizza Mia fundraiser lunch. She has chosen to join the board this year because this is something she has always wanted to do. Our incoming board is a mix of residents who all have the passion of volunteerism as their motivation in being on the board. She looks forward to seeing neighbors in this role as well as being involved in the planning and implementation of our awesome events. With a full board, we are looking forward in the coming year to a full slate of community events. Let’s have a great year.
Zach Holliday
Zack moved to Richmond Beach in 2019 with his wife and now seven year old son. Originally from Bainbridge Island, Zack attended Washington State University (GO COUGS!!) then moved to New York City to pursue a career in advertising as an art director and creative director. Upon returning to the Pacific Northwest, Zack and his family discovered Richmond Beach and fell in love with the community and everything the neighborhood has to offer. He can be found at the beach kayaking, paddle boarding, and crabbing. Zack looks forward to contributing his background in design and advertising to RB events and the newspaper.
Zack moved to Richmond Beach in 2019 with his wife and now seven year old son. Originally from Bainbridge Island, Zack attended Washington State University (GO COUGS!!) then moved to New York City to pursue a career in advertising as an art director and creative director. Upon returning to the Pacific Northwest, Zack and his family discovered Richmond Beach and fell in love with the community and everything the neighborhood has to offer. He can be found at the beach kayaking, paddle boarding, and crabbing. Zack looks forward to contributing his background in design and advertising to RB events and the newspaper.
RICHMOND BEACH COMMUJITY ASSOCIATION
purpose statement (March 2024 Adoption)
It shall be the purpose of the Association to promote the welfare of the community of Richmond Beach, Washington, and to encourage civic betterment among residents.
To be more specific, the purposes of the RBCA are to:
- Keep residents aware and informed of community issues, while maintaining objectivity and neutrality.
- Promote and produce social events and projects that generate a sense of neighborhood and enjoyment among residents.
- Nurture engagement among the Richmond Beach community, the City of Shoreline, and surrounding communities.
Vision For the Community (October 15, 2017 Board Revision)
All residents of Richmond Beach demonstrate a sense of belonging and pride in our neighborhood and the greater Shoreline community. We feel safe, fully informed and actively engaged in helping to make our community even better.