David Ballif brings over a decade of experience in economic development, public policy, and strategic planning. A former U.S. Diplomat with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), he has focused on sustainable growth, workforce development, and public-private partnerships.

A sixth-generation Pacific Northwesterner, he is deeply committed to the long-term prosperity of rural communities in Washington. His background in small business, public service, and international development reflects a lifelong dedication to place-based, community-driven solutions.

Phoebe brings more than five years of experience in program leadership, community engagement, and workforce strategy across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Most recently, she served as Program Manager at the Wilderness Awareness School, where she led operations, budgeting, and team development for nationally recognized nature-based leadership programs. Her background also includes experience as a facilitator for youth and adult programming throughout the Olympic Peninsula.

Born and raised in Jefferson County, Phoebe is deeply committed to building resilient communities rooted in equity and economic opportunity.

Laura was the former Director of Strategic Programs and the Women's Business Center Director at the West Business Development Center in Mendocino. In her previous roles she designed training programs tailored for rural entrepreneurs and collaborated closely with local and statewide organizations to create an ecosystem of supportive entrepreneurial resources.

At the heart of Laura's approach is her dedication to fostering valuable partnerships and addressing the specific needs of the communities in which she lives, facilitating growth at both the individual and community levels.  Drawing on her background in program development and social work, and her years of living off-grid in remote places like McCarthy, Alaska and Patagonia, Laura infuses her work with innovation, empathy, and a commitment to service.

Mark Knudsen joins EDC Jefferson County after a career in the maritime industry. He has a Bachelors degree in Oceanography and a Masters in Marine Transportation both from the University of Washington, and spent several years ocean sailing and commercial fishing before working for the Port of Seattle. He moved from the Port of Seattle after 20 years to work for SSA Marine, a large international terminal operating and development company based in Seattle. He worked for SSA Marine for 15 years and was president of their conventional cargo operations division until his recent retirement. A lifelong Puget Sound resident, he has had a house in District 3 for 25 years, and joins the EDC as a representative of that District.

Ray brings a varied background to the Economic Development Council. He served on the faculty of the Olin Business School of Washington University in St. Louis for twenty years, working with MBA students and executives in Shanghai and Mumbai as well as in St. Louis. His teaching was primarily in organizational design and change leadership. While at Olin, he led workshops for the Brookings Institution and the National Institutes of Health. His published research is in organizational leadership and network analysis. In prior years, Ray taught in the Hospitality Management program at Roosevelt University in Chicago and operated a consulting practice. He designed foodservice facilities for colleges, schools, clubs, and continuing care facilities and provided foodservice management advising to zoos and museums. He holds degrees from UCSB (B.A.), the Chicago Theological Seminary (M. Div.), Michigan State (MBA), and the University of Illinois at Chicago (Ph.D.). He moved to Port Ludlow with Joie in 2019.

bio to come

Greg Brotherton moved to Quilcene in in 2011 to re-open the Quilcene Village Store and built a home and farm with his family. He served on the Quilcene School Board and opened several businesses in Discovery Bay before being elected County commissioner in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. Before arriving in Jefferson County, He graduated with a BA with an emphasis on American Studies from Evergreen State College, taught English in South Korea, worked in IT at US Bank for a decade and was an independent filmmaker.

A lifelong resident of Washington State, Pam has three grown children, all in their 20’s. Pam earned a BA in Education at Western Washington University and worked as a public and home-school teacher for 30 years, & most recently as a music teacher for the Port Townsend School District. Pam has experienced a lifetime of living, working, and enjoying the waters of the Pacific Northwest. In 2010, she earned her U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License. She’s owned boats most of her life, and enjoys fishing, sailboat racing, ocean crossings, and paddle boarding. Pam currently is a commercial fisherman with Rick Oltman of Cape Cleare Fishery. During the summers, they take Cape Cleare, a fishing troller and sailing schooner, from Port Townsend to Southeast Alaska and catch wild salmon, with individual hooks and lines, & flash freeze at sea. The fish is delivered by bicycle year-round to our community and farmers market. In 2018, Pam was a nominee for Citizen of the Year for co-leading the Jefferson County Maritime Trades Economic Study. Pam served four years on the board of the Port Townsend Marine Trades Association & has led several citizen advisory groups. Pam co-hosts a monthly KPTZ radio show called “Our Working Waterfront”.

Council Member Monica MickHager is the City’s appointee to the EDC Team Jefferson Board. She has served 11 years on the Port Townsend Planning Commission, 6 years on the Port Townsend Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, 5 years as a Community Representative on Port Townsend School District hiring committees, over 19 years of commitment to Port Townsend film Festival as Operations Manager or volunteer, and 5 years as a volunteer for the Port Townsend Rhody Parade. She is a current KPTZ Board Member, and Jefferson Broadband Action Team representative.

Nicole is the General Manager for Jefferson Transit Authority where she is responsible for the overall leadership and direction for all Jefferson Transit services and resources. Nicole has a strong background in operations, teams management, and connecting communities through transportation options. Nicole wholeheartedly believes that community health and economic growth require a strong, accessible transit system. She has lived in Jefferson County for more than 6 years with her family and enjoys remaining connected to the community through volunteer opportunities.

Pete started visiting Port Townsend and Jefferson County in 1973 and made many visits prior to moving here permanently in 1980. He has been sailing, cruising the west coast since the age of 4 and accumulated almost 70 thousand miles of sea time by age 20, in every size and or class of vessel. The sense of opportunity here in the marine trades was like no other place on the west coast. As a young entrepreneur he restarted the Port Townsend Foundry in 1981-82 after doing some research about its history and its founding in 1883, it has been operating ever since, building a worldwide audience and reputation. Developing new products and diversifying the offerings has allowed the company to ride out most of the economic down turns. Devoted to community he and his wife also served over 18 years in Fire and EMS as volunteers. Pete is active on the Port Townsend Marine Trades Association, Jefferson County Historical Society, and EDC Team Jefferson boards, and in youth sail training with the Schooner Martha Foundation to share the passion and marine culture.

Scott brings a diverse business background to his role with EDC Team Jefferson, encompassing experience in real estate, entrepreneurship, and community development. His steadfast advocacy for Jefferson County is demonstrated through active involvement in local associations and a strong belief in the power of collaboration.

“Molly and her two children made Jefferson County their home in August 2023, relocating from Mississippi so she could begin her role as Chief Human Resources Officer at Jefferson Healthcare. Throughout her career, Molly has remained focused on people—developing innovative workforce programs, designing and delivering training for small businesses, and leading human resources functions including talent acquisition and retention strategies. Raised in a small rural town in southeast Missouri, she deeply values community and connection. Molly brings to the EDC team extensive experience in human resources across both small and large organizations, as well as firsthand knowledge as a former small business owner. She is excited to support the EDC’s vision, mission, and strategic priorities to foster economic vitality and connectedness for all who call Jefferson County home. In her free time, Molly enjoys playing the piano and singing, flower gardening, and jogging with her Great Dane, Ashby Grace.”

Ben Frasier is the Chief Human Resources Officer for Crown Paper Group, which is integrated with Port Townsend Paper Company. With more than fifteen years of experience in business operations and human resources strategic leadership, Ben has driven workforce strategies that align business objectives with people strategies, guided complex labor relations, and advanced organizational development initiatives across healthcare, manufacturing, and finance. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in finance and business administration. In his current role, Ben leads HR strategy, talent management, culture development, and labor relations for a diverse workforce in the United States and Canada, including unionized operations. He is known for building sustainable work environments that support business performance, ensuring compliance with evolving employment laws, using data to measure impact, and partnering with leadership to navigate change and develop strong succession pipelines. A Pacific Northwest native, Ben lives in the region with his wife and six children.