Board Chair and Lake Forest Park resident Kae Peterson was first elected to the Northshore Fire Board of Commissioners in 2001 and will be seeking another term in November’s election.  Ms. Peterson brings expertise to the NFD Board garnered from years serving on various other boards in her community including Friends of Third Place Commons and Shoreline/South County YMCA.  She is also a member of the Lake Forest Park Rotary, a Former Assistant District Governor-Rotary District 5030, a member of First Lutheran of Richmond Beach and she served on the Lake Forest Park task force “Sustaining a Livable Lake Forest Park.”

Professionally, Ms Peterson keeps busy as the Senior Executive Director of Development at the Evergreen Healthcare Foundation where she joined the staff in 2006.  Prior to that time she was the Senior Executive Director of Development and Community Relations at Shoreline Community College from 1997-2006 and the Executive Director of the Shoreline/South County YMCA from 1987-1997.

Ms. Peterson credits her parents for instilling in her a sense of responsibility to give back to the community in which we live.  Being an elected official allows Ms. Peterson to bring another dimension to that service; she believes “upholding the public trust and ensuring quality emergency services for all citizens is an honor.”

Commissioner Ron Gehrke began his term with the NFD Board of Commissioners in 2004 and he offers over 40 years of community involvement as a citizen of the Kenmore area.  In addition to various committee and volunteer dedication throughout the years Mr. Gehrke has also served on the Lake Pointe Citizens Review Committee and contributed to the original Northshore Community Plan.  Mr. Gehrke is a member of the Amateur Trapshooting Association, the Lake City Elks #1800, the Kenmore Heritage Society, the Kenwanda’s Men’s Club, and the Wildlife Committee of Washington.  Mr. Gehrke’s involvement in the community has also included active involvement in the Northshore Youth Soccer Association in roles ranging from referee, to judicial committee, to field development.  Mr. Gehrke began working in the Kenmore area at the Kenmore Super Market in 1951 and retired from the Northshore Utility District in 1999 as their General Manager.

Commissioner David Maehren began his term on the NFD Board of Fire Commissioners in 2001 and in 2003 was elected to a 6 year term.  Mr. Maehren’s active involvement in multiple areas in the Kenmore community include; Member Kenmore Downtown Plan Commission 2001, Chair of the Kenmore’s first Comprehensive Planning Commission 1999 – 2000, Member of the Northshore Rotary Club (1999 – 2003), Chair of the Kenmore Governance Transition Committee (1998), Board Member for the Kirkland – Redmond Boys & Girls Club (1998 – 2000) board member of the year for 1999.  He was instrumental in opening a Boys & Girls Club / Police Storefront station in the Arrowhead / Moorlands neighborhood, Co-chair of the Kenmore Incorporation Committee (1996 – 1997) resulting in the formation of the City of Kenmore.  Additionally, Mr. Maehren has volunteered as a coach for Kenmore Jr. Football, Kenmore Little League and Northshore Girls Slow-pitch Softball Association.

Mr. Maehren retired from the King County Sheriff’s office after 30 years of service in 2002 with the rank of Captain.  He is currently owner of Enalliance Inc. which supports Public Safety training and technology.

When asked “Why are you a commissioner?” Commissioner Maehren responded:  “I believe my experience in public service can help in supporting the delivery of quality and reliable services to the communities of Kenmore and Lake Forest Park.  I have worked closely with a variety of public safety departments during my career.  I have seen first hand the value of coordinated provision of public safety services across jurisdictional boundaries by fire, law enforcement and emergency management service agencies.  My goals are to expand the department’s capabilities and effectiveness as a regional team member while assuring the NFD provides exceptional service in a fiscally responsible manner.”

Commissioner Jack Rogers is a longtime resident of Lake Forest Park who was first elected to the NFD Board of Commissioners in 2001.  In his 24 years as a member of the LFP community Mr. Rogers has always been an active citizen and has enthusiastically served in his community as a volunteer.  He currently sits on the Shoreline Community College Foundation Board.  Mr. Rogers is a past president of both his Rotary Club and of the Sno-King School Retirees Association.  He is also a retired administrator from the Shoreline School District and contributed 16 years as a classroom teacher.

Mr. Rogers views his job as a Northshore Fire Commissioner as a “means and opportunity to return service to this great community.”