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
William Thomas
VP Development
Bill Thomas is a 1966 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. After completing the Airborne and Ranger programs at Ft. Benning, Georgia and serving tours of duty in the United States, 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, like the young Alexander Hamilton, demonstrate leadership abilities, academic excellence, a passion for public service and financial need – and, through practical training programs, internship experiences and financial assistance, helps them reach their highest personal and career goals. Also, he is the current 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
Secretary
Leo Poort worked for 32 years as the principal Police Legal Advisor for the City of Seattle. He was responsible for day to day 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, personnel law. He is an expert in laws affecting the collection of intelligence, public disclosure of sensitive police and criminal history records, domestic violence arrests and mandatory reporting. He is an expert in traffic laws, laws affecting property forfeiture, narcotics enforcement, confidential informants, police shootings and inquests, and personal injury liability. Most recently, Leo became an expert in laws that affect demonstration management (WTO) and emergency preparedness.
Recently Leo administered, investigated and screened cases for the Criminal Justice Training Commission under Washington’s Police Officer Certification Program to revoke the certification of police officers (statewide) who were terminated by local agencies for disqualifying conduct as defined by WA State Statutes.
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.
David Carson
Board Member
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. After 25 years in software he has started his own business recovering assets for companies and individuals.
He has served on the Redmond City Council since 2008, serves as the Presiding Officer of the Parks and Environmental Sustainability Committee, a voting member of the King County Emergency Management Advisory Committee (EMAC), a member of the Board for the Redmond Police Foundation and a member of Redmond Kiwanis.
He’s married and lives in the Overlake district of Redmond with his wife Danielle and their spaniel Piper.
Eden Cohen
Board Member
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).
Raymond Macey
President
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.
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Sharon Brocker
Chairperson of the Board & Founding Member
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.
Tim Short
Board Member
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.
In his spare time he enjoys skiing and spending time with his wife and two sons.
Jennifer Lawrence
Board Member
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.
Raymond Chao
Board Member
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.
Patricia Narvaez
Board Member
Patricia is a seasoned volunteer with many other organizations here as well as the Canadian Red Cross when she lived in Canada. She has legal and international nonprofit experience helping refugees. She has a legal degree from Colombia. She has been a contributing member of the Redmond community where her daughters go to school. She joined the RPF in 2022 to support the important role of the Redmond Police Department in our community.
Emeritus Board Members
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Matt Meyers
Melissa Farage
Catherine Mayr
Nancy Crim
Dr. Vincenzo Sainato
Andrea Liggett
Megan Miller
Jim DuBois
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.