Board of Directors

Patricia Butterfield is Dean of the Washington State University College of Nursing. The College is home to approximately 1,000 bachelors, masters, and PhD students who are based at WSU’s Spokane, Tri-Cities and Vancouver campuses. Graduates serve the public in their roles as staff nurses, community/public health nurses, nurse practitioners, or as educators/researchers. Patricia received her master’s degree from the University of Colorado and her PhD from Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU). Her postdoctoral work was completed at OHSU’s Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology. Prior to coming to WSU in 2007, Patricia served as Chair of Psychosocial and Community Nursing and Director of the Occupational and Environmental Nursing Program at the University of Washington.

Jeffrey B. Collins, M.D. is the Chief Medical Officer for Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. Providence Sacred Heart is one of the largest hospitals in the Pacific Northwest, employing more than 4,000 health care professionals and support staff. Dr. Collins received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1977, and his M.D. from UI, Chicago, in 1981. He served his residency and received clinical training in Spokane 1981-1985, and was board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1984. Dr. Collins is past President of the Washington State Medical Association and the Spokane County Medical Society and has served on many local health care-related committees.

Earl F. Martin is the Dean of Gonzaga University’s School of Law. The law school regularly enrolls approximately 500 students who hail from 30 different states. The school provides its students with an excellent legal education informed by the institution’s humanistic, Jesuit and Catholic traditions and values. The School of Law was founded in 1912 and is accredited by the American Bar Association. Dean Martin received his J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1987 and received an LL.M from the Yale Law School in 1996. He served 20 years as an active duty and reserve Judge Advocate General officer in the United States Air Force, retiring in November 2007.

Nancy L. Isserlis is a Principal with Winston & Cashatt, Lawyers, and practices bankruptcy and commercial law. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Linfield College, magna cum laude, and her J.D. from Gonzaga University in 1980. She was admitted to practice law in Washington State in 1981; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington, 1982; U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, 1985; U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Nancy is past President of the Spokane County Bar Association and also a member of the Washington State Bar Association. Nancy is a recipient of the Smithmoore P. Myers Professionalism Award, 2004. She is active in the Spokane region and served as Chair of Sirti, appointed by Gov. Gary Locke in 1998. She currently serves on the Board of the Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs, a local community action agency.

Alethea McCann is the owner of Spherion Staffing & Recruiting, Gold’s Gym North and South, and Northwest Surgical. Alethea and her husband have raised four sons in Spokane and support many community activities. She currently serves on the Spokane Area Workforce Council, is a Spokane Falls Community College I-Best Advisor, and serves the Washington Business Week Camp. She is a past board member of Greater Spokane Incorporated and Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. Alethea received her Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University in 1977.

Mari Thomas is the wife of Col. Robert Thomas, the current commander of Fairchild AFB, Spokane, WA. She graduated from the University of Scranton, PA, with a degree in Biology. Mari has over 10 years of experience in medical research with the epidemiology section of the National Institutes of Health's Laboratory of Infectious Diseases. She has co-authored numerous papers for peer reviewed journals including Vaccine, Journal of Medical Virology, Journal of Infectious Diseases, and Journal of Clinical Microbiology on subjects such as vaccine development and clinical trials, and development of diagnostic tests to detect viruses.

Kelsey Gray is the managing partner of Spectrum, LLC, a organization development consulting firm that works with local governments, state agencies, tribal nations, police departments and federal groups. Her background encompasses more than 30 years' experience with public policy, including work with physicians, hospitals and citizen organizations on health care issues. Spectrum provides training, organizational development interventions, organizational and stakeholder assessment, conflict management and related services. Dr. Gray worked for Washington State University from 1975 until 2008 as an Organizational Development Specialist for the WSU Spokane Cooperative Extension. She received her bachelor's degree from WSU in 1971, her master's of science degree in urban planning in 1974 from the University of Arizona, and her doctor's degree from Gonzaga University in 1984.

Mike Wilson's career spans 35 years in healthcare management including his most recent position prior to retirement as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sacred Heart Medical Center, Children's Hospital and Holy Family Hospital. Mike has served as Chief Operating Officer, President and/or Chief Executive Officer throughout his 21-year career at Sacred Heart. He received his bachelor's of arts degree from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., and received his master's degree in business and public administration from Southeastern University in Washington, D.C. He has held leadership positions in many community organizations, healthcare organizations, and has served on a variety of boards and advisory committees during his career. Mike currently is working with an emerging entrepreneurial healthcare company.

Jason Thackston is the Vice President, Finance, for Avista Corporation, and as such his responsibilities include treasury, risk management, forecasting and analysis, investor relations and corporate development. Prior to Avista, Jason was a Trust Officer for U.S. Bank where he managed retirement and trust funds for individuals and small companies. He is a graduate of Whitworth University and holds a bachelor's degree in international studies. Jason serves on the corporate board of the YMCA of the Inland Northwest, and also serves on the boards of the Northwest Business Development Association and the Business Development Corporation of Eastern Washington.