Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/721677
4 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016 BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2016–2017 Paul Ravetta, Chairman paul_ravetta@yahoo.com Doug Seto, Chairman Elect dougseto@comcast.net Gregg Blodgett, Vice Chairman gregg.blodgett@comcast.net Phil Abbess, Treasurer phil@abbessconsulting.com Grace Chien, Secretary grace.chien01@gmail.com Tammy Young, Immediate Past Chairman tammy.young@alaskaair.com RESIDENT Verne Benedict Dail Bodziony Dave Carlson Maria Finlayson Julie Glade Jason Hamilton John Hoverson Duane King Jeff Lounsberry Shawn McWashington Courtney Meyer Rose Mitchell John Myer Lisa Noji Rick Page Gil Picciotto John Platt Robert Rupp Chris Sheeks Bettina Stix Brad Thoreson Liz Wilson Tom Wolfe NON-RESIDENT BOARD OF GOVERNORS, 2016–19 Forrest Aldrich Tom Anderson William Bump William Burg Tom Campbell Amy Esary Peter Goldsmith Mark Harriman Jeff Hogan Thomas F. Kenney Robin Sahnow Richard L. Small PROGRAM BOARD 2016–2017 Maria Finlayson, Chair James Williams, Vice Chair Laura Christofferson, Secretary Ron Robin, Immediate Past Chair Shirley Beard Caroline Burke Annie Grus Sue Henson Jason Jenks Ray Marik Nanette Nelson Pam Nord Amy Pieper Stacey Ravetta Karl Uri Greg Van Gaver Adam Volkman Letter from the Chairman Paul Ravetta, Chairman of the Board of Governors / paul_ravetta@yahoo.com I t's a tremendous honor to serve as Chairman of the Washington Athletic Club. I look forward to the opportunity to work with fellow member leaders in serving one of the most respected and recognized clubs in the nation. My wife, Stacey, and I joined the WAC 13 years ago. Since that time, the Club has been many things to us. It is a way for us to connect socially, to stay fit, to grow our professional networks, and to meet people from outside our daily routines. It truly is an integral part of our lives. In recent years we have witnessed dramatic changes in and around Seattle. The region has transformed from a thriving Pacific Northwest community into one of the most dynamic economies in the United States. You don't have to look farther than several blocks north of the Club to see these changes firsthand. This new landscape also serves as a significant source of new members. President & CEO Chuck Nelson and the entire executive team have done a remarkable job adjusting to the demands of this young and diverse community while also honoring the Club's legacy. It's very likely that the unfamiliar face you see in Torchy's, in your fitness class, or at a Club event is not only a new WAC member but also new to the Pacific Northwest. Please take a moment to introduce yourself. These small gestures help us engage new members and ultimately secure the future of the Club. As I begin my one-year term as Chairman, I want to thank Immediate Past Chairman Tammy Young for her leadership. It was a pleasure to work with her, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration in the year ahead. Finally, this September marks the commencement of a major overhaul of the Club's high-rise elevators. The project represents a significant investment in the Clubhouse. After 86 years of service, the original elevator motors are long overdue for replace- ment. During the next 16 months, the four high-rise elevators—the three main cars and the service elevator—will be taken offline one at a time for modernization. Three of the cars will remain in service at all times. Every effort will be made to minimize the inconvenience to members. During peak usage periods, however, longer wait times are expected. I encourage you to use the stairs as much as possible. Signs and placards will be posted around the Clubhouse to help you move from floor to floor. I like to think of the project as a great supplement to my workout (and an excuse for an extra WAC Sticky Bun)! Sincerely, Looking ahead—and upward