New board of director members

Law partner, financial adviser, broker and retired military commander

Clark College Foundation welcomes new members to its board of directors. They are LeAnne Bremer, Jay Gilberg ’78, Patrick Ginn ’00 and Toby Warson.

 

Bremer is partner-in-charge in the Vancouver law offices of Miller Nash Graham and Dunn. Her expertise is in land use law, real estate and government affairs. Her work in land use and development includes planning and environmental reviews and assisting in obtaining permits for institutions, businesses and individual property owners. She has drafted state and local legislation, and represents clients on a wide variety of real estate matters.

“I look forward to supporting Clark College Foundation’s mission of providing financial access and educational resources to students and the surrounding community. I believe that everyone deserves access to quality education and the ability to create their pathway to success,” said Bremer.

She’s an executive committee member of the Washington State Bar Association’s Environmental and Land Use section, a member of the Oregon State Bar and Clark County Bar Association and a Washington Women Lawyers member.

Bremer and her husband, Bob Mayfield, have two daughters. Mayfield is a winemaker for Windy Hills Winery in Ridgefield and a freelance writer.

Lisa Gibert, Clark College Foundation CEO, said Bremer brings to the foundation vast knowledge about the region and regulatory rules. “LeAnne’s legal and land use knowledge will be particularly beneficial during Clark’s phased development of its Ridgefield property. And as a resident of that city, she also has a personal interest in a successful outcome.”

Gilberg ’78 is the newest ex officio on the foundation’s board of directors. He’s also the president of Clark’s alumni board. A wealth management adviser, he’s worked at Northwestern Mutual since 1995. Gilberg is a certified financial planner, chartered life underwriter, chartered financial consultant and certified retirement income professional. He’s been recognized for his commitment to his clients with a National Association of Insurance and Financial Quality award. Gilberg holds an MBA from Washington State University, accounting degree from University of Washington and associate degree from Clark College.

Gilberg and his wife Monica, who is originally from Mexico, have been married for seven years. Together, they enjoy spending time with friends and family, especially when there is dancing involved.

Clark College Foundation CEO Lisa Gibert said Gilberg is a stalwart advocate for Clark. “As an alumnus, he is a shining example of student success. Jay’s role as liaison to our alumni board is critical to our new business model of transforming alumni involvement. He will help us achieve long-term engagement so that Clark students are continuously connected to Clark alumni.”

Ginn ’00 is the owner of Ginn Realty and Development Group, a successful residential real estate brokerage and land development firm in Vancouver with nearly $1 billion in closed real estate in the past decade. Ginn Development has developed approximately 1,000 lots in Vancouver, with plans to develop another 1,500 over the next 5 years. Ginn’s construction company, Boulevard Homes NW, provides high-quality new homes for entry-level buyers, investors and those aged 55 and older.

“The knowledge I gained at Clark College has been invaluable in my journey and where I’ve arrived at today as an entrepreneur. I am grateful for the work and opportunities Clark College provides its students, as well as the broader community. The opportunity to serve on the foundation’s board allows me to lend a unique perspective as someone who attended Clark College and a local business owner.

I am especially excited to see the new Boschma farms campus in Ridgefield start to take shape, as well as the continued implementation of the Guided Pathways model,” said Ginn.

Ginn Realty and Development Group is an award-winning business that was recently named as Vancouver Business Journal’s Top Project in 2017 for the Whipple Creek Village subdivision located in the Fairgrounds neighborhood, east of I-5 and south of Northeast 179th Street.

In addition to his business interests, Ginn’s passion is in helping others and giving back. He is the board president for the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Washington and a regular contributor.

He has an MBA from the University of Oregon and has completed two executive education programs through the Harvard Business School. An avid traveler and runner, Ginn has completed several international marathons in countries such as Cuba, Croatia and Portugal. He and his wife Jessica, a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence nurse, are expecting their first child together in April. Jessica also has a 7-year-old daughter from a previous marriage.

Ginn is an excellent addition to the foundation board, according to Gibert, because of his resounding accomplishments in the real estate industry. “Patrick’s ability to connect us with leaders in our community and provide us with insight into our real estate efforts are immeasurable.”

Warson, a retired United States naval commander, was the commander of one of the most secretive vessels in the U.S. fleet—the nuclear-powered NR-1. Known as a research vessel, it also carried out military operations that remain confidential today. Warson, who was the second commander of the small 140-foot sub from 1970-73, led a mission in the Mediterranean with the code name Raccoon Hook that resulted in him receiving a distinguished service medal. The one-of-a-kind submarine could dive 3,000 feet—deeper than other subs—before releasing wheels in order to maneuver on the ocean floor. The vessel had its challenges during Warson’s Cold War service, including faulty navigation computer equipment that nearly crippled the rig while 1,000 feet below the ocean surface.

Following his military service, Warson was vice president at Honeywell, then CEO of Honeywell Ltd, a subsidiary in the United Kingdom, before becoming the first president and CEO at Alliant Techsystems, a spin-off of Honeywell’s defense and marine businesses. He retired in 1995. The firm, which expanded into the aerospace and sporting goods industry after Warson’s retirement, merged in 2014 with the satellite manufacturer Orbital Sciences, and a company that makes weapons ammunition.

Warson brings to the foundation board wisdom and vision that will add remarkable value to Clark College Foundation. “Toby’s ties to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, veteran services and his savvy industry skills will challenge us to rethink how we do business. I look forward to learning from his vast experiences,” said Gibert.