Thomas S. Foley InstituteAbout the InstituteAdvisory board

Foley Community Advisory Board

In 2020, the institute established a community advisory board, with the aim of developing a strategic development plan for the institute and helping it extend the reach and visibility of its programs.

Currently chaired by Elliott Nethercutt, son of former Congressman, George Nethercutt, the other board members by start year are:

2020

Rich Cowan, President, North by Northwest Productions; Marcia Garrett, retired; Nancy Isserlis, Former Spokane City Attorney, member of the Washington PDC; Tim Peckinpaugh, Partner, K&L Gates; Lambert van der Walde, Vice President, UnitedHealth Group.

2022

Gretchen Bakamis, President/owner of Bcommunications, and former Foley staffer/intern; Lynn Mounsey, attorney, and former Foley intern; and Gary Stokes, President & General Manager of KSPS-TV.

I know first-hand the impact that Speaker Tom Foley has had not only for Eastern Washington but for our country. The institute that bears his name is an extraordinary asset to WSU and the citizens who endeavor to engage with our fragile democracy. It is for these reasons that I have joined with the institute to expands its programs and presence.”

Former Board chair David Condon

2023

John Allison, attorney and former KXLY broadcaster; Kiantha Duncan, author, activist, and former President of Spokane NAACP; Pat Dunn, Olympia lobbyist; Bill Maxey, attorney and former clerk for Judge Foley; Michael Ormsby, former U.S. Attorney, and former Spokane City Attorney; Sam Reed, former WA Secretary of State.

2026

Lisa Gardner, President, Spokane NAACP, and Director of Communications Spokane City Council; Richard Kuhling, Retired civil litigator, Paine-Hamblen; John McKay, Senior Emeritus Pro Bono Attorney, Northwest Justice Project; Morgan Irwin, Vice President of Government Affairs, Association of Washington Business; Maureen McGuire; and Tyler Whitney, Attorney with Cable Huston.

Former board members

David Ammons, political journalist; David Mastin, Vice President of Government Affairs at the Association of Washington Business; Howard Wright III, Chairman Seattle Hospitality Group, and former Foley intern