Bruce Creps, Chair, and Sheila Simpson-Creps live on Port Stanley Road and have been members of the Lopez Community Land Trust since 1998. Bruce is the owner of Notable Woods, a small business supplying tonewoods for use in creating musical instruments. Previously, he was the general manager of Burley Design Cooperative, a worker-owned manufacturer of bicycles and accessories located in Eugene, Oregon. Bruce is a member of the Housing Committee and a representative on the SJC Alliance board.

Jamie Stephens, Co-Chair, a small business owner and community advocate, has lived with his wife and two children, Jessica and Dan, in Lopez Village for the past ten years. His wife serves on the Lopez Island School Board and both children attended Lopez School. He has been active in the GMA planning and compliance process because of his belief that clear and effective planning is one of the keys to maintaining our island community. Jamie currently serves on the boards of the Fisherman Bay Water Association, Lopez Island Family Resource Center, Lopez Island Lions Club, and Lopez Island Education Foundation. These organizations focus on building community and keeping a diverse population on the island. He is a veteran participant in successful community projects including helping the Community Center transition from a construction project to operating entity, helping secure the adjacent Sally Bill property for the LCCA, and negotiating leases to Fertile Ground community garden, the Farmers Market, and the Lopez Children’s Center. Jamie believes the LCLT is an important Lopez asset because permanently affordable housing and sustainable agriculture are two key parts of the puzzle for a healthy, diverse, and stable community.

A proud Northwest native, Sue Roundy, Secretary, grew up in Bellingham, spent summers boating in the San Juan and Gulf Islands and graduated from WSU. With the support of her husband Dale, Sue has been a community volunteer for the past 25 years while raising daughter Jessica and son Brian. As a school volunteer and non-profit board member Sue worked to support children and the arts in Seattle and on Whidbey Island. She created Arts Alive, a volunteer-implemented visual arts program for Coupeville Schools and worked to establish the Coupeville Boys & Girls Club. Sue and Dale became LCLT supporters when they purchased their Lopez property across the road from the Common Ground project in `06. Jessica worked as a summer intern on this sustainable homes project in `07 – `09. The Roundy family believes sustainable, affordable housing, food and energy are global issues that LCLT is solving locally. Sue is enriched by group work and energized by the process of people working towards a common goal, so for her, joining the LCLT board was a natural step.

Todd Goldsmith, Treasurer, and his wife, Diane Dear, have been part of the Lopez community since 2002, when they purchased 40 acres of land protected by a San Juan Preservation Trust easement that was previously part of the old Ellis Ranch. Since that time they have developed the property into a working farm where they produce certified organic vegetables, hay and eggs. In addition to building their home and farming, they are active members of the community. Todd has served on the LCLT Board since 2005, filling roles on both the Executive and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) committees. He has also worked with the San Juan County Agricultural Resource Committee, the Lopez Island Grange, and the Lopez Community Center. His wife Diane serves on the boards of Lopez Island’s School District and Family Resource Center. Prior to moving to Lopez, Todd earned degrees in physics and electric engineering and had a 20 year career in engineering, including work with semiconductor, telecommunications and space system companies. Todd was raised in the Northwest, while Diane traveled the world as a Navy brat, and both are delighted to have found their true home on Lopez.

Lopez Island has been a vital part of Peggy Bill’s life since 1964 when her family bought land on Hunter Bay. Peggy first lived full time on Lopez from 1974-87. During that time, she ran a small textile business, and farmed her land. Since the late-80’s, she has worked in the public and private sector in the environmental field, with a primary focus on land conservation and natural resource management, including 10 years as Senior Conservation Director for Cascade Land Conservancy based in Seattle. She served as a Commissioner for San Juan County Land Bank from 1992-2000, and currently works for SJC Economic Development Council as SJC Agricultural Resources Coordinator. She has a Masters in Environmental Studies from Evergreen State College, and a BS from Antioch College.

Kay Keeler has lived full-time on Lopez Island for the last 16 months, but visited regularly for the previous 20 years. Kay retired as a Senior Program Leader with Landmark Education last June and now is creating her community here on Lopez Island. Her husband of 52+ years, George Keeler, is a family practioner MD and homeopathist. Their four children, spouses and 11 grandchildren live in Seattle, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Kay has a Master’s in Secondary Education, and has also served on national & local boards; coached H.S. rowing; worked as a management consultant to non-profits; directed a non-profit; mentored at a seminary; and raised funds. The focus of Kay’s life has been that self-actualization only happens in community and being on the Lopez Community Land Trust is a perfect vehicle for her energy and creativity.

Clive Prout moved to Lopez in 2005 and is married to Abigail Morgan, who grew up here. They have two young daughters, Nonie, born in 2007, and Sophie, born in 2009 as the youngest Common Ground resident. Clive was born in the UK and moved to the US in 1993. His work is primarily as a leadership coach, helping individuals and groups live their dreams for a new life, a life that is more sustainable and fulfilling than the one provided by the mainstream American Dream. Clive volunteers his time as an Awaken the Dreamer, Change the Dream symposium facilitator and is active in the Four Years. Go. Campaign. His interest in the Land Trust mission is twofold. Firstly he wants to see the viewpoint of leaseholders well represented on the Board. Secondly, he loves living in community and the personal growth it promotes, having grown up in a household of four generations, spent seven years on staff at a spiritual community and another year in co-housing in Boulder.

Faith Van De Putte has deep roots on Lopez Island. Her great grandparents emigrated from Sweden in the early 1900’s and settled on Hughes Bay and she grew up in house built by her parents on a portion of the old farm. After graduating from Lopez High School in 1990 Faith left the island for college and beyond. She received a self designed B.A. entitled The Ecology of Health from Fairhaven College of Western Washington University. These studies in human ecology, environmental science, anthropology and psychology provided a larger context as Faith attended Brian Utting School of Massage, graduating in 1997. Since then Faith has maintained a full time massage practice and returned to the Brian Utting School of Massage from 2003-2007 in order to be on their teaching staff. After touching thousands of people she came to an understanding of the body as ecosystem; a nested interrelationship of systems, structures and rhythms. Her interest in health and systems thinking led to a desire to study permaculture and ultimately to move back to Lopez island and build in the LCLT’s Common Ground project. She is happily building and creating an integrated, healthy community and environment.

If you are interested in serving on our Board, please contact us for an application.