Purpose
The Redmond Police Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization established, in accordance with the Internal Revenue Service code 501(c) 3, to assist the City of Redmond's police department with non-budgeted expenditures. The Foundation is governed by a citizen-based, volunteer board of directors with all received contributions, donations and grants used to meet the mission and vision of the Foundation.
The Foundation is the only community-based organization authorized to raise funds for Redmond Police Department; it serves as a vehicle for tax-exempt gift and grants from individuals, businesses and philanthropies intent on providing better policing and a safer community. The grants we fund are ultimately intended to enhance overall public safety and help build stronger relationships between the community and the Redmond Police Department.
Board of directors
David Carson
President
dcarson@redmondpolicefoundation.org
(206) 484-8480
OneRedmond Foundation Board Member and former Redmond City Councilmember
David grew up in the Rogue Valley of southern Oregon, has a Bachelor of Science from Oregon State University in Business Management and moved to Redmond after college to take a position at Microsoft. He is an IT consultant for small businesses on the Eastside.
He served on the Redmond City Council from 2008 to 2023 and is a member of Redmond Kiwanis.
He’s married and lives in the Overlake district of Redmond with his wife Danielle and their spaniel Piper.
William Thomas
Recording Secretary
BillT@redmondpolicefoundation.org
Bill Thomas is a 1966 graduate of West Point. After completing the Airborne and Ranger programs at Ft. Benning and serving tours of duty in the US, Vietnam and Europe, Mr. Thomas embarked on a 30-year career in the Property and Casualty Insurance business. During the last five years of his career he was Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of a major Northwest based insurance enterprise.
Since retiring, Mr. Thomas has been actively engaged in volunteer work on behalf of non-profit groups in the Seattle area. In addition, he is co-founder of Alexander Hamilton Scholars, a nationwide non-profit organization that identifies young Americans who demonstrate leadership abilities, academic excellence, a passion for public service and financial need. Also, he is the Secretary of the Board of the West Point Class of 1966.
He and his wife Lyn lived in Redmond for many years before recently moving to Kirkland.
Leo Poort
Administrative Secretary
leop@redmondpolicefoundation.org
Leo Poort worked for 32 years as the principal Police Legal Advisor for the City of Seattle. He was responsible for providing strategic advice and training given to officers of the Seattle Police Department. Leo counseled, instructed and advised chiefs of police, senior staff members, sworn and civilian managers, and officers regarding criminal law and constitutional procedures, first amendment protections and personnel law.
He is an expert in a wide array of legal matters that pertain to law enforcement personnel and organizations.
Early in his career, Leo served for 3 years as Assistant City Attorney with the City of Bellevue, WA and was Bellevue’s first Police Legal Advisor.
Leo is a 1973 graduate of Tulane University with a Juris Doctorate in Law. He was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 1973 and has been a licensed member of the Bar for over 36 years. Leo Poort holds a B.A. degree from Michigan State University in English.
Eden Cohen
Board Member
eden.d.cohen@redmondpolicefoundation.org
A proud Redmond resident, Eden is a seasoned leader and entrepreneur. Currently working at Google, he has previously led teams of people at corporations such as Microsoft, Qualcomm and Intel.
Eden is a strong supporter of political and economic freedoms, globalization, scientific progress, government accountability, equal opportunity, and the rule of law as the foundation for human prosperity.
Through his field service with the Israel Defense Forces during the Second Intifada, Eden found his passion for good policing, human dignity, and always upholding the highest ethical standards within the criminal justice system.
A graduate of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Eden holds degrees in Computer Science (B.Sc.) and Business Administration (MBA).
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Jianguo Chen
Board Member
jiangchen@redmondpolicefoundation.org
I am a seasoned engineer and leader who worked for Microsoft and Google for more than 22 years. I am fortunate with all the experiences and rewards, and believe that it is time for me to give back to the community.
I have lived in Redmond since 2004 and seen the growth of our community firsthand and how hard the Redmond police have worked to serve and protect. They put their lives on the line each day. I am so proud to have the opportunity to be a Redmond Police Foundation board member to support our fellow officers.
I am also a volunteer for Bellevue School Foundation investment committee and established LMC Susu Scholarship to reward high school volunteers. It feels good to give back to our community and make people around us a little better.
William "Buff" Nelson
Board Member
buff@redmondpolicefoundation.org
Buff is a community involved business owner, board member, and senior executive with Nelson Real Estate Management for 20 years. His background in insurance risk management, strategic planning, and organization development experience add depth of experience to the Redmond Police Foundation.
He has developed highly effective organization structures and work processes for his family business that actively involves his siblings. He has shaped the human side of his organizations by selecting the right people, upgrading their skills, energizing and rewarding them appropriately, and giving them opportunities to prove themselves.
He's done this by managing individuals, teams, and organizations to achieve and maintain an edge in execution by facilitating their mastery of skills and building a competitive advantage for the organization.
Buff lives and works in greater Redmond area.
Larry Gilmore
Board Member
lgilmore@redmondpolicefoundation.org
Larry is a seasoned financial services executive, entrepreneur and community development leader. He currently is the President and CEO of ClearBlu Capital Group which is a commercial lending company committed to expanding wealth among underserved segments in business and real estate.
Larry recently served as Vice President of Community Lending for HSBC where he managed mortgage operations and sales. Other roles have included VP of Industry Relations & Emerging Segments for H&R Block Mortgage, Associate Director for affordable lending for the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and with Wells Fargo as Manager of Market Opportunities.
Larry enjoys being active in the community primarily on issues affecting affordable housing, homelessness and financial education. He volunteers in numerous capacities which more recently serving as Past President of the Redmond Kiwanis Club and currently the Board Chair for the Bellevue YMCA. He formerly served on the Boards for the Westchester County Housing Action Council and Long Island Housing Partnership, Board of Trustees for the Longridge School, City of STAMFORD Zoning Board of Appeals and Inspirica.
Larry has been married to his beautiful wife Kina Wallace Gilmore for over 18 years and enjoys spending time with his 3 wonderful children: Asante, Lauren, and Laurence James. In addition to time with family, he enjoys time outdoors biking, hiking and occasionally golf.
Raymond Macey
Board Chair/Treasurer
raym@redmondpolicefoundation.org
Ray is a retired business executive with over 30 years in corporate finance and production operations. He retired from Robert Bosch, GmbH with their division offices in Santa Barbara, CA (and Stuttgart, Germany).
He has been a board member of a Southern California US defense contractor for the past 10 years serving in various capacities including Director of Operations. He is currently the Chairman of the Corporate Audit Committee.
Ray has been a volunteer for the Redmond Police Department since 2009.
A graduate of New England School of Accounting and has continued studies at Central Connecticut State University.
He and his wife lived in Santa Barbara for 13 years before retiring in 2006 and moving to Sammamish.
Arphitha Dhanapathi
Vice-President
adhanapathi@redmondpolicefoundation.org
Arpitha has been a resident of Redmond since 2011. She works at Microsoft as a Product Manager and holds an MBA from the Dartmouth College.
On personal front, Arpitha is a mom of two young kids (8 and 4). She is drawn to the Redmond Police Foundation because of the opportunity to serve and give back to the Redmond community whilst supporting the officers who are at the forefront of keeping the city safe.
Jennifer Lawrence
Board Member
JenniferLawrence@redmondpolicefoundation.org
Jennifer Lawrence grew up in Bellevue, WA and graduated from Western Washington University with a BA in Spanish and Linguistics. After completing Peace Corps service for 2 years in Bolivia, she got a teaching credential from San Jose State University in California. She taught elementary and middle grades in public and private schools, instructed international businessmen in English as a second language, and worked as a private tutor.
Jennifer loves to travel, go to musical theater productions, and visit friends and relatives.
Her family, a husband and twin daughters, enjoys living in Redmond, especially for its community events, robust library, and many parks. They go hiking and are active with homeschooling, soccer, music, and martial arts.
Amit Gupta
Board Member
amitg@redmondpolicefoundation.org
Amit and his family call Redmond home. He is a graduate of University of Washington and currently works at Microsoft as a Group Engineering Manager.
Amit has a deep sense of community service and likes to contribute his time and skills to help raise awareness and funds for Redmond Police Foundation
Raymond Chao
Board Member
raymondc@redmondpolicefoundation.org
Raymond is a business professional with a background in finance and currently serves as a Development Director for a local nonprofit. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and has an MBA from the University of Washington. He has managed investor relations and coordinated third party service providers for corporate and portfolio companies.
Being firmly rooted and a contributing part of the community where his children go to school has become increasingly important to Raymond. He joined the RPF in 2020 to support and advance the great work of the Redmond Police Department.
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Tim Short
Board Member
tims@redmondpolicefoundation.org
Tim Short is a Washington native and served as Treasurer of the Redmond Police Foundation. He is a commercial airline pilot, has been in the restaurant business for over 15 years and currently owns and operates Redmond's Bar & Grill in downtown Redmond and Woodin Creek Kitchen & Tap in Woodinville.
In his spare time he enjoys skiing and spending time with his wife and two sons.
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Sharon Brocker
Founding Member/Chair Emeritus
Sharon is a business professional with a background in Program Management and Organizational Continuous Improvement Leadership. She has led LEAN and Six Sigma continuous improvement initiatives for GE Aviation’s Corporate Supply Chain.
She has a long history of leadership roles with non-profits in various capacities, including the Redmond Historical Society, City of Redmond’s Public Safety Advisory Board and Knit for Life.
Emeritus Board Members
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Matt Meyers
Melissa Farage
Catherine Mayr
Nancy Crim
Dr. Vincenzo Sainato
Andrea Liggett (RPD)
Megan Miller
Jim DuBois
Hank Myers
Julie Beard (RPD)
Marty Fuller (RPD)
Patricia Narvez
Steering Committee
Lieutenant Ryan George
Lt. George began serving Redmond in 2008 and currently oversees Patrol Operations, including Dayshift Patrol Units, the Traffic Unit, and the Bicycle Unit. His previous assignments include supervision of Patrol and Community Engagement Units. Lt. George has served as a Patrol Officer, SWAT Team member, and an Instructor for Firearms, Active Shooter Response, and Less Lethal Munitions. Lt. George is a veteran of both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in both Automotive Technology Service and Technical Sales and is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Institute at Drucker School of Management.