Board of Directors

Our board consists of dedicated and passionate representatives from across Bellingham who are committed to growing our Downtown core. Get to know them and what makes them all so great!


President:
Ken Mann
Pacific Continental Realty  

Ken is a New York City native, having grown up in Brooklyn and then spending 5 years on Wall Street as an equities trader, living in Greenwich Village.  Seeking a different career path, he found his way to Bellingham in 2001 and worked as a sustainable design and development consultant.  After a few years, Ken went off on his own to pursue real estate projects as an owner rather than a consultant.  His passion for buildings, urban design, land use, and environmental protection drew him into the political arena and a position on the Whatcom County Council, where he served two terms. Currently, Ken is a commercial real estate broker with Pacific Continental Realty, focusing on urban development and investment syndication. Ken and his wife, Amy, own two buildings downtown and operate The Cooler, a co-working business. 


Vice President:
Rose Lathrop
Kulshan Community Land Trust

Rose brings dynamic leadership and extensive experience in nonprofit management and residential construction. Rose previously served as Interim Executive Director and Program/Finance Director at Sustainable Connections, where her work included catalyzing climate solutions and expanding access to housing in NW Washington. Rose excels in creating positive change and fostering meaningful connections within diverse communities. She is deeply committed to driving strategic initiatives that promote equity, inclusivity, and social impact.


Treasurer:
Dan Murphy
WECU     

Dan serves as a Business Experience Officer at WECU, a nonprofit credit union, bringing valuable financial insight and community-oriented experience to the board. Dan is passionate about the Downtown district and adds enthusiasm and expertise to the DBP Board of Directors.


Secretary:
Chris Roselli
Western Washington University

Chris Roselli is the Director of Community Relations at WWU where he fosters positive relationships by serving as the liaison between the community and the university. Chris has lived in Bellingham since 1995 and is actively engaged with many community organizations including the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission, Domestic Violence Commission, Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, and City Club. Chris is devoted to supporting the growth of downtown’s vibrant community and is excited to create more opportunities that bridge the WWU community to Downtown Bellingham. You can find Chris spending time with his wife and two daughters at many of downtown’s shops and restaurants including Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro, Mt. Bakery, Fringe, Pure Bliss, the Co-Op, Pie Hole, Horseshoe Café, Café Rumba, and many more.


Linett Nardone
True Footage

Seeking a city with a strong sense of community, Linett and her husband relocated to Bellingham from Los Angeles in 2020. She quickly immersed herself in local service efforts, delivering meals for Family Promise and serving with CAST. As a multiracial woman with a background in operations management and client engagement, Linett is passionate about fostering diversity and inclusivity in Bellingham. She looks forward to contributing her experience and perspective to these efforts. In her free time, you’ll find her hiking, kayaking, and enjoying downtown with friends and family.


Rhiannon Troutman
Fringe Boutique

Rhiannon was born in Bellingham the year Bellis Fair Mall was built. Because of this, she grew up in a downtown with a lot of large vacancies and a lackluster spirit. A move to Portland for school made her to realize just how special Bellingham is, and how uniquely supportive our community is of small businesses of every kind. She loves that almost every business in our downtown core is locally owned -- from herb & spice shops to pet stores, and cider houses to music venues. She decided to move back to Bellingham for this very reason, and opened Fringe Boutique in an historical downtown building in 2015. She loves connecting with the creative community of Whatcom County, and is excited to be a part of a new generation shaping the City of Renewed Excitement through vibrant businesses, engaging events, and a beautiful landscape.


Craig Jewell
Wild Buffalo House of Music

Craig Jewell was born in Puyallup, WA and moved up to Bellingham in 2004 to attend Western Washington University. He studied Vocal Performance, Japanese, and ended up getting a degree in Communications with a Minor in International Business in 2008. In that same year, Craig became part-owner of the Wild Buffalo House of Music, a music venue in Downtown Bellingham. Over the years he has been a member of multiple regional bands, became a part-owner of Bellingham Engraving, was hired to book the talent at the Summer Meltdown Festival in Darrington, WA, and has thrown dozens of benefit shows for various regional charities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Craig co-created two non-profit organizations—WANMA (Washington Nightlife and Music Association, an advocacy and lobbying group for the live music ecosystem) and KML (Keep Music Live, a fundraising campaign for live music venues in Washington State). “Other than family and music, there is nothing else that I am more passionate about than a thriving downtown Bellingham.” - Craig Jewell


Logan McQuaig
Redlight Kitchen and Bar

Logan is the owner and manager of Redlight Kitchen + Bar, a popular dining spot in Downtown Bellingham. Logan’s experience in the hospitality industry and formerly retail and his commitment to the local community makes him a valuable addition to the DBP Board of Directors.


Aaron Haynes
CSD Attorneys at Law

After graduating from law school at the University of Oregon and beginning his career in Yakima, Aaron moved to Bellingham in 2021 to join CSD Attorneys at Law.  At CSD, Aaron works in the litigation, labor and employment, Fire/EMS, and HOA practice groups.  With CSD’s office in a beautifully renovated warehouse off Railroad Avenue, and living only minutes away, Aaron quickly fell in love with Bellingham and all that downtown has to offer.  On any given day, you might spot him dropping into Cafe Adagio or Hammerhead for a morning coffee on his walk to work, slipping into Saltadena to enjoy a Lil’Scrappy for an afternoon treat, or picking up the best (in his opinion) eggplant sandwich in town from Brandywine Kitchen.  Aaron is excited to contribute to the DBP’s work in making downtown a vibrant and welcoming community to live and work in.


Ex-Officio:

Tyler Schroeder
Port of Bellingham

Director of Economic Development for the Regional Economic Partnership at the Port of Bellingham. The Regional Economic Partnership at the Port of Bellingham is a one-stop-shop for recruiting business and industry, helping local companies grow, and generating quality job opportunities throughout the county.


Ex-Officio:

Dan Hammill
City of Bellingham

Dan has been a leader on the issues that Bellingham residents care about: homelessness and affordable housing, climate change, managing how Bellingham grows, and keeping our community safe and thriving and making sure people have access to mental health services. Dan champions protections for renters, and drives policies that reduce crime and keep the community safe while getting those charged with low-level drug crimes the help they need.



Are you passionate about the vibrancy and economic health of the Downtown Bellingham neighborhood?

Sounds like we’re on the same page! You might be a good fit for our Board of Directors.