With building permits in final review and 73% of the fundraising goal achieved, nonprofit Friends of Lopez Island Pool (FLIP) is making plans to begin construction in 2022 and prepare for its future by expanding its base of expert advisors.

FLIP deeply appreciates the extraordinary generosity of its dedicated existing leadership and is thrilled to welcome two new board and several committee members.

New Board and Governance Chair Randy Wilburn, an attorney and engineer specializing in environmental, land development, utility, and water issues, has been advising FLIP on water and infrastructure for the Center. Randy and his wife, Karen, are originally from Austin, Texas. They moved to Lopez full-time in 2020, after many years as part-time residents. Randy and Karen are enthusiastic donors to the campaign and are passionate about bringing a pool to Lopez.

Seattle corporate finance attorney Bob Seidel is FLIP’s newest Board member. Bob works with emerging and middle-market companies with financing and growth. Bob comes to FLIP with experience as the Board President of a community pool (Mercerwood Shore Club) and a Bellevue-based USA Swimming Team. He will serve as FLIP’s Operations Chair. Bob and his wife, Jill, are excited about spending more time on Lopez after buying a house on the island last year. He and his family are lifelong swimmers, including his two kids who were competitive collegiate swimmers.

Civil engineer Kris Betty has joined FLIP as Project Committee Chair. With 38 years of experience as a construction and project manager of complex infrastructure projects, Kris’s diverse background as a consulting engineer and an owner’s agent enhances her ability to work with all parties on a construction site and develop workable project solutions. Kris joins a wealth of talent on FLIP’s Project Committee, including a leading architect in the Pacific Northwest, Eric Meng, who pioneered the use of value analysis in this region.

Heading up the Branding and Marketing Committee is part-time Lopez resident Kevin Berger. As principal and executive creative director of Graphiti Associates, Kevin has more than 22 years of branding and marketing experience with clients like global giants Amazon, Munich Re, and Starbucks, to local nonprofits, including the San Juan Preservation Trust. Kevin and his wife, Alexis, have been active community participants since 2012.

Kevin is joined by advertising expert Dave O’Hare, who, as an ad agency creative director/writer, has led campaigns for the Saturn car company, the NBA, Apple, and PBS. Dave and his wife, Yvonne, relocated to Lopez from the Bay Area two years ago.

To date, with the guidance and talent of its current all-volunteer board and advisors, FLIP has raised $5.84 million toward the $8 million goal. Expanding the existing leadership as FLIP transitions to planning for the Swim Center’s construction and operations will help FLIP more expediently reach its goal of fostering a healthier island community. The nonprofit Center will provide an all-ages, all-seasons gathering place for fitness, fun, and wellness, with affordable memberships and day-use rates for islanders and visitors, and swim scholarships for island kids. San Juan County is one of only two Washington counties without a public or community swim center, and FLIP is committed to changing that!

Interested in joining this talented volunteer team leading FLIP to the future? Contact FLIP’s new Executive Director Anne Marie MacPherson at director@lopezislandpool.org to learn more about openings on FLIP’s committees. Help get FLIP to its final goal: Jump in and support the Community Swim Center by visiting www.lopezislandpool.org/donate.