Meet our Leadership

Jordan Hay, Executive Director

My family and I love Anacortes.  My parents moved here 20 years ago, and my kids have grown up swimming in Cranberry Lake, shopping for holiday presents downtown, and waving flags in the 4th of July parade.  Before serving as the director of the Downtown Anacortes Alliance, I spent 24 years in Seattle working in technology leadership roles at Amazon, IMDb and Alexa.   I attended Swarthmore college, where the Quaker tradition emphasized community, collaboration and stewardship.

Ward MacKenzie, Chairman and President

• Seattle Native
• Retired and moved to Anacortes in 2017
• Master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Administration
• Work experience in social services, mental health, human resources, budgeting
• Volunteer and consulting experience in business, non-profit and government strategic and business planning
• Non-profit experience in three startups include program design, fiscal management, grant writing, IT
• Community economic development experience with a Seattle neighborhood Comprehensive Planning process, residential and commercial real estate investments, Anacortes Planning Commission

Kathleen Dickinson, Secretary

• Moved from Orcas Island to Anacortes in 2018
• Work experience with HP Labs in printed circuit design
• University of Nevada Arts and Interior Design.
• Developed design/build residential homes in California, Nevada, Washington.
• Founding member of the UC Davis SeaDoc Society (non-profit) on Orcas Island
• Jewelry artist

Chris MacKenzie, Treasurer

• Baltimore native
• Moved from Seattle to Anacortes in 2017
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Accounting)
• Work experience managing back office for two residential construction companies
• Community economic development and non-profit experience in Seattle with neighborhood Comprehensive Planning and startup of a local nonprofit community building organization

Frank Jeretzky, Founding Board Member 

• Seattle native raised in Seattle and San Francisco
• College of San Mateo
• Moved from Sonoma, California to Anacortes in 1977 where he raised his family who still resides in the area
• Work experience in the construction industry until 1977, then recruited to go to work for a Savings and Loan based in Oak Harbor in 1978.
• Community economic development experience includes banking and finance, residential construction, and serving on the Anacortes Planning Commission
• Non-profit experience includes serving on the boards of Skagit County C.A.R.E. and Anacortes Christ the King Church.

Janet Gifford, Founding Board Member

• Walla Walla, WA native
• B.S. Psychology, University of Idaho
• 40 years of experience Idaho and Washington state in corporate, small business, and non-profit communications, branding, marketing, small business coaching and entrepreneurship
• Extensive experience in community economic development, facilitation, and visioning/planning, as well as staff and board/leadership positions in economic development focused on small town downtown development and commercial recruitment
• Programs: Gem Cities Rural Economic Development | Idaho; WA Main Street | Walla Walla, WA
• Leadership and volunteer participation in local non-profit organizations focused on community support, including United Way, AAUW, the arts, scholarship, and mentoring.

Lori Maul, Board Member

Lori Maul is a native Washingtonian and moved to this area with her husband in 2014 when she opened her first shop, Classic Style and Co, LLC.  As a graduate of University of Washington, Lori focused on business administration, accounting and fundraising in her career.  Lori owns Fidalgo Artisan Yarn & Clothing in Anacortes and will be opening a second stop, The Wishing Rock-a store for garden lovers, in June.  She is delighted to be working with the Downtown Alliance on the design committee and as a board member.  In her spare moments, Lori enjoys spending time with her husband, Dan, gardening, knitting, and doing almost anything creative.

Eli Barrett, Board Member

I purchased Pelican Bay Books & Coffeehouse with my wife and partner Brooklynd Johnson in 2013. We have three kids. As a younger man I attended Gonzaga University and then spent the better part of five years working and starving my way throughout the United States, Europe and West Africa. I believe Anacortes is one of the best places on earth and committed to making it more vibrant, diverse, sustainable, and just.

Laurie Gere, Board Member

Laurie Gere owns Gere-a-Deli with her son Phil. The Gere-a-Deli has been feeding Anacortes since 1981.  Located in historic Downtown Anacortes, they’ve been voted best of Anacortes the last 30 years, including best lunch and catering. Laurie served as Mayor of the City of Anacortes from 2014-2021. She was elected to this position after serving on the City’s Planning Commission for 20 years and as an Island Hospital Commissioner for 12 years. She continues to lead the Anacortes Community Task Force to bring together stakeholders in the community to work to serve Anacortes youth and families.