Trustees' Biographies

Carver Gayton, Secretary

Expiration of term: 09/30/2014

Carver Gayton retired as the Executive Director of the Northwest African American Museum in July of 2008. In that capacity, beginning in 2005, he had the lead responsibility in raising over $20 million for the renovation of the old Coleman School in Seattle which houses the Museum as well as 36 low income housing units. From 2001 to February 2005 he worked as a human resources consultant and taught at the Evans School of Public Affairs, University of Washington. Governor Gary Locke appointed him as the Commissioner of the Washington State Employment Security Department in 1997 and served in that capacity until 2001. Prior to his Commissioner appointment, Carver served as Corporate Director of College and University Relations for the Boeing Company; Director of Training and Educational Relations at Boeing; Assistant Professor of Public Administration at Florida State University in Tallahassee; an Instructor in Political Science as well as Director of Affirmative Action and Staff Training at the University of Washington; a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and a Teacher of History and English at his alma mater, Garfield High School in Seattle.

He has served on a wide variety of national, state and local boards over the years, some of which include the University of Washington Alumni Association where he served as president; the National Advisory Panel, National Center for Postsecondary Governance and Finance; Seattle Municipal League; Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges; Pacific Science Center; KCTS-Channel 9 Board of Trustees; Board Chairman of Pioneer Human Services; Seattle School Board; Chairman, Independent Colleges of Washington Board of Trustees; and Chairman, The National Center for Occupational Research and Development Board of Directors.

Carver is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, some of which include membership with the University of Washington Oval Club Upperclassmen's scholastic and activities honorary; Who's Who Among Black Americans; Who's Who in American Education; University of Washington Husky Legend; Fredrick Douglass Distinguished Scholars Honor Society, and Blacks in Government Outstanding Citizen Award. In 1993, the National Association of Partnerships in Education honored him as the recipient of the McKee Award, that organization's highest recognition for the “school to career” program he created at The Boeing Company. In 2001, Carver received the Network Consortium's national Augustus F. Hawkins Meritorious Service Award, “In recognition of his distinguished leadership and contributions to the field of workforce development.” In May of 2007 Carver received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree from the Cornish College of the Arts for “…his outstanding commitment and contribution to the civic and cultural life of the city of Seattle. In June of 2008 Carver was named by the University of Washington as one of its “ ‘Wondrous One Hundred' living Legends,” which recognized one hundred “---living alumni who have made or are making their mark outside the University's bounds…”

All of Carver's formal degrees are from the University of Washington: Ph.D. Political Science; Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Arts in History.

He was born and raised in Seattle and is married with four children.

Irene Gonzales

Expiration of term: 09/30/2015

Irene Gonzales is in her seventh year serving as an Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Services for Spokane Public Schools in Spokane, Washington. In this capacity she mentors, supervises, and evaluates 17 principals. She proudly partners with principals in guiding the district's instructional initiatives to improve student achievement through the examination of academic achievement data and setting a plan of action. She supports approximately 8,000 students each and everyday in her role. Prior to joining Spokane Public Schools, Irene served as an elementary principal for 13 years in Yakima and Walla Walla.

Irene's connections to higher education are vast. She has been an adjunct professor for Whitworth University's educational graduate programs for the past two years. She also serves as an advisor to the WSU President's Council and the WSU National Education for Women's Leadership Council; is a member of Gonzaga University's Institutional Review Board for Human Subject Research, WSU Cougar Admission Support Team and is in partnership with the University of Washington's Center for Educational Leadership (CEL).

In addition to spending time in higher educational institutions, she is an active community member; she serves as Vice-President of the Hispanic Business Professional Association Foundation, is a board member of YWCA and a member of the Inland Northwest Latino Chamber of Commerce.

She has been blessed with many honors. As Irene completed her doctoral studies she was chosen as the WSU Student Commencement Speaker. In addition, she was awarded the David L. Clark National Award for Excellence in Educational Administration Research, and the WSU Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence. Other notable mentions are: Washington Association of School Administrators – Doyle E. Winter Scholarship; Walla Walla Public Schools – Graduate of Distinction; Rotary – Paul Harris Fellow and Group Study Exchange Team Leader to Sweden; Milken Family Foundation National Educator, and an Olympic Torch Relay Runner chosen as a local community hero.

Irene received her bachelor's degree in Education from Washington State University, her master's in Educational Policy and Management from the University of Oregon, and her doctorate in Educational Administration from Washington State University. She also is a member of numerous professional organizations.

She is married to Kirk Hirota, a professional photographer and has two daughters, Camina and Kimiko.

Kristin Hayden, Co-Vice Chair

Expiration of term: 09/30/2015

Kristin Hayden was recently selected as an Ashoka Fellow, "as a leading social entrepreneur who we recognize to have innovative solutions and the potential to change patterns across society." Her passion for cross-cultural understanding began with her one-year study abroad experience as a Rotary exchange student in South Africa at age fifteen. That experience changed her life and set her on a committed path to explore the world, challenge injustices and pursue transformational learning opportunities for her and others. Towards the end of the Cold War, Kristin began studying the Russian language in college and then lived in Moscow right before the break-up of the Soviet Union. She graduated with honors and a triple major in Soviet Area Studies, Russian Language and International Relations at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN.

Kristin then became the International Projects Director for Seattle-based, international events/consulting company called Bob Walsh Enterprises, Inc., where she directed the operations of the Moscow and Tbilisi (Georgia, ex-USSR) offices. Kristin spent her twenties living and working abroad in Moscow, Paris, London and Tbilisi, where she developed a passion for global thinking, international project management experience and a keen appreciation for understanding other cultures. At the age of 30, Kristin moved back to the USA and Seattle and decided that after years of living abroad, it was time begin her life's work by combining her passion for international understanding and commitment to social justice and access to opportunities. In 2002, she founded OneWorld Now!, the global leadership program for underserved youth. After two years, OneWorld Now! was recognized as "one of the nation's most innovative after school programs" by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. Kristin intends to create a national model for international education and promote the importance of study abroad for all!

Denny Heck

Expiration of Term: 9/30/2016

Denny Heck retired as president and founder of TVW in 2003 after leading the organization for 10 years. A state version of C-SPAN, TVW provides unedited television coverage of state government deliberations and public policy events. For five years, Denny produced and hosted an award-winning weekly public affairs discussion program, Inside Olympia. While at TVW, Denny wrote and directed a documentary about the State Supreme Court, Supreme Justice, which was awarded an Emmy™.

Although officially “retired”, Denny continues to moderate statewide conferences and maintains an active business and investment life. He is the co-founder and a Board member of Intrepid Learning Solutions, a Seattle-based training outsourcing company. He also Chairs the Board of Directors of Digital Efficiency, Inc., a Northwest company involved in digital conversion and document management.

Denny serves on the Board of Directors of the Washington State Historical Society in Tacoma. Denny recently served as one of Governor Gregoire's four citizen commissioners to Washington Learns, her 18-month intensive study committee charged with making recommendations to restructure Washington State's education system. He chaired the Commission's higher education committee.

Denny attended The Evergreen State College in its first year of operation and graduated in 1973. He later served on the college's Board of Governors. He attended graduate school at Portland State University (unfinished). In 1976, at the age of 24, he was elected to the first of five terms to the State House of Representatives where he rose to the position of Majority Leader. While in the legislature, Denny authored the state's historic Basic Education Act. He later served as Chief of Staff to Governor Booth Gardner (1989 to 1993).

He is married to Paula Fruci Heck, the retired principal of Jefferson Middle School in Olympia. They live in Olympia and have two sons, Bob, a Willamette University development officer, and Trey, a high school student.

Denny has written two books. His first, a nonfiction essay on the future of education, was published in 1987. His second book is a mystery novel entitled The Enemy You Know. He also wrote and performed a one-man play entitled Our Times in February 2008 which sold out all nights. He and his wife Paula, who directed, donated all proceeds (nearly $30,000) to local charities.

Keith L. Kessler, Co-Vice Chair

Expiration of term: 09/30/2013

Keith Kessler is a plaintiff's personal injury attorney with the Hoquiam and Seattle law firm of Stritmatter Kessler Whelan Coluccio. Over the past 30 years, Keith has achieved several multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of brain and spinal cord injury survivors, as well as the families of victims of wrongful death. He focuses his practice largely on product liability, highway design and aircraft crash cases.

His recent articles have focused on open government, calling attention to the failure of our state and local governments to provide the public with collision reports that are essential to an evaluation of the safety of our roads, as well as on the topic of hazardous cable guardrail systems.

Keith is a Fellow with the American College of Trial Lawyers, having been selected from among the top 1% of trial attorneys in the United States and Canada. He has served as President of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, President of the invitation-only Damage Attorneys Round Table, and President of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Washington Chapter.

Keith serves on the Washington Supreme Court's Pattern Jury Instructions Committee. He is a member of the Washington Trial Attorneys Political Forum, and was its Chair from 1993 to 1995.

Keith was honored as “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association in 1994, and as “Outstanding Plaintiff Trial Lawyer” by the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers in 2002. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 1995.

Wilbert Raul Piña, Student Trustee

Expiration of term: 06/30/2012

Evergreen State College senior Wilbert Raul Piña has been appointed by Gov. Christine Gregoire to serve on the college's board of trustees.  His term as student trustee began on July 5, 2011 and will continue until June 30, 2012.  Piña succeeds Nathan Brockett.

Born in Wenatchee, Washington with a father from Mexico and a mother from the United States, Piña moved to Mexico at the age of nine, where he started school all over again and was able to finish his studies at the University of Campeche. However, according to Piña, his exposure to the country “opened his eyes to the world.”   After living in Mexico for twelve years, he came back to Washington State and started school at Pierce College. Piña says, it was an odyssey for him because it had been so long since he had studied in America.

While in school he made the deans’ list three times; he received his Associates Degree in Business Management in 2010. He also has certificates in: Sales, Supervision and management and Entrepreneurship.

Piña has received a certificate of achievement for participating in the Multicultural Leadership Institute at Pierce College in 2010 and has attended the Student of Color Conference in Yakima in 2010 and 2011.

In 2010, he transferred to The Evergreen State College, Tacoma Campus.

At Evergreen, Piña has been active in student government, including as a Services and Activities Board Member, Geoduck Student Union Representative (both elective positions by the student body), and as a Washington Student Association Committee Member.

Piña is on track to graduate in 2012 and will be the first in his family to earn a Bachelors of Arts degree. 

Anne Proffitt

Expiration of term: 9/30/2012

Anne Proffitt was appointed to the Board of Trustees by Gov. Christine Gregoire in November, 2006. A strong advocate for Evergreen and its distinctive education, Anne studied public administration and psychology at the college. After graduating from The Evergreen State College in 1976, Anne's successful 21 year career in technology culminated at the Microsoft Corporation as Director of Customer Services and Sales for Microsoft Technical Support. Anne 's Microsoft business experience and Evergreen education bring a unique perspective to the Board of Trustees position.

Joining Microsoft in 1989, Anne's career included positions in both the sales and support divisions. She started in the US Sales and Marketing Division as the Information Center Manager. This position afforded her the opportunity to work directly with every product group in the company and create the pre and post-sales direct customer experience for all new products. In 1991, she was a founding member of the start up team building a new Product Support Center in Dallas , Texas . During her Microsoft career, she also directly participated in every significant Windows and MS-DOS launch, starting with Windows 3.0 in 1990 and ending with Windows 98. Leaving Microsoft in 1998, she now owns Beach Fire Glass on Whidbey Island.

Paul Winters, Chair

Term expires: 9/30/2014

Paul Winters is the president of Winters & Associate, Inc., a management-consulting firm that specializes in strategic, marketing and succession planning, as well as retreat facilitation and organizational restructuring. He works with the Vancouver Business Journal to produce a curriculum for a continuing education series for owners and senior managers of businesses.

He was the founder and chair of the first four years of the Vancouver Rotary Festival of Trees and has been honored by the Vancouver Rotary Club as a Distinguished Rotarian, Rotarian of the Year and Rookie Rotarian of the Year. He is the immediate past chair of the Columbia River Economic Development Council, the chair of the Clark County Public Facility District and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. He is on the board of Cardinal Nutrition and Vantage, Inc., and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Oregon Society of CPAs.

Paul received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Oregon . He currently resides in Vancouver with his family.