Chris Batten, Chair

Christopher M. Batten, CCIM is the Principal and Designated Broker for RenCorpRealty. With over 18 years of experience in commercial brokerage and real estate development Chris has been involved as a partner in numerous Downtown redevelopment projects. As a licensed commercial real estate broker Chris has been involved in in-depth multi million dollar purchase and sales negotiations as well as significant lease analysis and negotiations. As the founding principal of RenCorp, a design-build development firm Chris provided oversight on all development projects including acquisition, design, construction, commercial and residential sales and leasing. RenCorp’s primary focus has been on adaptive reuse and renovation of historic properties in and around downtown Spokane. Chris has served on numerous boards including as the President of the local and Regional Vice President of the National Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute.

Craig Andersen, Vice Chair

Craig Andersen, RLA, LEED AP is a registered Landscape Architect in Washington and Idaho with over 10 years of professional experience in sustainable landscape design and land planning. He is currently employed by Storhaug Engineering, Zeck Butler Architects, and AHBL, Inc. Craig has a wide range of experience in public and private development including high-end custom residential homes, mixed use urban developments, regional parks, and civic and government projects located locally and throughout the world. He is active in the Spokane community’s efforts to increase sustainable building and recreational experiences. Craig is the current Secretary and past Co-chair of the Inland Branch of the Cascadia Regional Green Building Council, has served on the Built Environment Committee of the Mayor’s Sustainability Task Force, and currently serves as the Eastern Washington Representative for the Washington Chapter of Landscape Architects.

Colleen Gardner

Colleen Gardner is retired from QWEST where she worked in a variety of areas before her retirement after 30 years of employment. Colleen is currently active in the Spokane community. She is a member in good standing on the Chief Garry Park Neighborhood Council and serves as the Community Assembly Representative for the Chief Garry Park Neighborhood. She serves on two subcommittees, Building Stronger Neighborhoods and PR/Communications, and has made a presentation before the City Council on behalf of the Community Assembly. She has experience as an in-house diversity instructor at QWEST (late 80’s three yrs), an adjunct instructor at the University of Oregon Labor/Education Research Center (late 80’s three yrs) and a literacy tutor in Oregon (late 80’s). In addition, she served on the Board of Directors, Prime Source Credit Union (‘09-‘10). Other past involvement includes Big Brothers & Sisters (late 70’s) and volunteer receptionist for Valley Community Center (mid 90’s).

Matthew Collins

Matthew Collins is a principal at Uptic Studios of which he founded in 2010. He has a broad academic and professional background in architecture, product design and graphics. His recent projects include several medical clinics, corporate interiors, private residences and branding for a new wine label. Although a Spokane native, Matthew has lived, worked and studied in London UK, Savannah GA, and Seattle WA. Now back in Spokane, he utilizes his skill and passion for design to help the Inland Northwest continue to thrive and progress. Matthew is currently serving as a Spokane Arts Commissioner.

Jacqui Halvorson

Jacqui Halvorson has spent most of her life in Spokane, attending Hutton, Sacajawea and Lewis and Clark High School, and is currently raising a son who also attends LC! Jacqui has always been an actively involved member of the community serving on several committees and a task force for the City of Spokane. Other volunteer activities include serving on the board of her church; and nearly 10 years with Spokane Preservation Advocates where she served as president of that non-profit group.

Jacqui has 10 years experience as a professional planner, most recently with URS Corporation, specializing in NEPA/SEPA compliance, and permitting. URS is one of the largest engineering, consulting, and construction management companies in the world offering full services for all types of projects and, since beginning work with URS, Jacqui has had the opportunity to assist on a variety of projects including the City of Spokane Shoreline Master Program Update, WSDOT Snoqualmie Pass East Environmental Impact Statement, and the Spokane International Airport Extend Runway 3-21 and Runway 21 Line-of-Sight design and construction projects. She has a pending Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning and Public Administration from EWU, with minors in Cultural Anthropology and Physical Geography.

Steven Meek

Steven Meek, AIA is the principal of Steven A. Meek Architects, founded in 1991. Licensed in the states of Washington and Idaho, Steve brings over 30 years of experience working through unique challenges presented by clients of very diverse backgrounds. Steve has directed the design and development of a wide variety of public and private projects ranging from commercial office and retail projects to industrial, institutional, educational and religious facilities to multi-family/single family housing projects. As a true believer that the built environment directly affects an individual’s quality of life Steve strives to educate his clients on the value of good design and its effects on both their personal and business lives. Steve has served on numerous boards including Spokane Executives Association, Rotary 21, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and as both a board member and past President of the local American Institute of Architects chapter. Steve’s firm has been recognized as one of the best commercial architectural firms in the Inland Northwest and has received several Architectural and Urban Design awards.

Vacant

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