Meet the board.
The Downtown Walla Walla Foundation Board of Directors is passionate about the vibrancy and economic health of Downtown Walla Walla.
The DWWF Board guides all programs, events, and initiatives that serve our mission to promote the history, culture, and commerce of Downtown Walla Walla.
Interested in joining the board?
Review the Roles and Responsibilities and then use this form to apply:
President
Brian Hansen
Senior Engineer, Anderson Perry
Brian joined Anderson Perry as a Project Engineer in 2017. He works on a variety of site civil and utility projects. He studied at the University of Idaho where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.
Brian enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons and is an avid golfer. Brian is a native of Walla Walla, and is excited to be involved in the community where he grew up.
Past President
Casey Waddell
Banner Bank, AVP Relationship Manager Commercial Banking
Casey was born and raised in Walla Walla and came back to town after college. He's worked in banking for his entire career. He enjoys playing golf, spending time with family, and officiating high school basketball. Casey is extremely proud to call Walla Walla home.
Vice President
Amanda Trejo-Perez
Owner, Wildlings
Amanda’s bio is coming soon.
Treasurer
Evan Crane
Assistant Vice President, Banner Bank
Evan has lived in Walla Walla for the past 12 years after moving from a small town on the west side of the state. He is currently the Small Business Underwriting Supervisor at Banner Bank, and has been in banking for the past 14 years. In his free time, Evan enjoys playing golf and travelling with his wife. Evan is exceptionally proud to call Walla Walla his adopted home and looks forward to serving the community through the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation.
Member
Julie Aichele
Game Buyer, Book & Game
I am the game buyer for Book & Game and have loved working at this store for fifteen years.
I am a native Walla Wallan. My Italian family has been here for generations.
Faith, family, friends, and, of course, my animals are what is most important to me and what I enjoy most. My long walks and hiking up hills with my dogs are some of my daily adventures.
I love baking, reading, board games, gardening and camping.
Member
Robert King
Attorney, Minnick and Hayner
Robert King is an attorney at the Law Firm of Minnick Hayner, here in Walla Walla. He has nearly 20 years of experience helping clients with their legal needs. In addition, he has extensive experience as a civil litigator, focusing on commercial, real estate, construction, partnership, and personal injury cases. He has helped guide clients through the entire litigation process, including jury and non-jury trials.
Robert also has experience advising clients with leases, construction contracts, purchase and sale agreements, and land use. Robert was formerly with the law firm of Ryan Swanson & Cleveland in Seattle from 2001 until 2018, where he was a partner.
Member
Kelsey Kramer
Health & Life Insurance Broker Lloyd’s Insurance
Kelsey has lived in Walla Walla for 9 years and is proud to call it home. He has worked in the insurance industry for more than 15 years. Locally, he has served on the United Way of Walla Walla Board of Directors and is currently serving as Treasurer for the Lillie Rice Center.
Free time hobbies include skiing, golf and spending as much time with family as possible. Kelsey has been married to his wife Sheri for over 10 years.
Member
James Lum
Walla Walla Toyota
James’s bio is coming soon.
Member
Doug Ralph
Property Manager, David Thompson Properties
Doug and his wife of 53 years migrated from the Seattle area 27 years ago. To live ,work, and be a part of a smaller community was their goal. Walla Walla with its numerous sunny days and wide open spaces fit theirs desires perfectly
Doug is a United States Air Force veteran and very proud of his time in service. He has spent over thirty years working in the construction business and related industries. Many of those years he owned and operated his own construction company in Walla Walla doing residential and commercial projects. For the last 10 to 12 years Doug has taken his construction skills and knowledge into the property management business. Shortly after "retiring" four and a half years ago Doug decided that he wanted to stay connected with the people and businesses in Walla Walla. He was blessed with the opportunity to work for David Thompson Properties which owns commercial properties in the downtown core. This has been an absolutely wonderful experience working with David and Lisa Thompson. It has been a unique chance to become even better acquainted on a more personal level with the people and businesses.
Doug and his wife, Racquel can often be seen sitting on a bench downtown with their dog Scout, having a cup of coffee from a local shop soaking up the Walla Walla energy that they have come to love. They are very happy and proud to be called locals.
Member
Cathy Schaeffer
Family Advisor, Baker Boyer Bank
In her role as Family Advisor, Cathy draws on more than two decades of diverse professional experience to provide outstanding client service. She is committed to understanding your unique story, with her expertise in opening dialogue on difficult topics, and project management skills to help solve complex problems. With your wealth management goals in focus, Cathy works on your behalf to assemble a team of D.S. Baker Advisors to offer comprehensive financial strategies tailored to your life journey.
Cathy treasures her heritage in the Walla Walla Valley, rooted in her family’s multi-generational farm and community contributions. She graduated from Washington State University with a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness. As the Executive Director of the Walla Walla Watershed Alliance and partnership organizations from 2002-2013, Cathy was instrumental in coordinating efforts among stakeholders groups to arrive at a nationally recognized approach to water management. She has also been the Business Manager for an agricultural association, Deputy District Director for a member of Congress, and Senior Accountant for a local accounting firm.
Cathy serves on the Touchet School Board and is a member of the SEATech Skills Center General Advisory Committee. She is active in the Mill Creek Coalition and volunteers with the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation. Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling and attending sporting events with her family.
Member
Steven J. Setchell
Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, Whitman College
Steve and his wife Cara joined the Whitman College and Walla Walla communities in 2019.
Before then, Steve spent seventeen years at his alma mater, DePauw University, in Greencastle, Indiana, where several of his work and volunteer activities helped renew the downtown.
In addition to his board service for the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation, Steve is on the development committees of the Blue Mountain Land Trust and Independent Colleges of Washington.
Steve enjoys spending time outdoors, cycling through the foothills, vineyards, and wheatfields outside of Walla Walla, and hiking and cross-country skiing in the Blue Mountains.
Member
Nick Veluzzi
Vice President of Planning, Effectiveness, and Economic Development, Walla Walla Community College
Bio coming soon.