Cheryl Thornton (she/her) was elected to the Board in November 2020. Picture and bio coming soon.

Bob Carmichael (he/him) was elected to the Board in September 2020. Picture and bio coming soon.

Tim Douglas (he/him) was elected to the WCC Foundation board in March 2020. Picture and bio coming soon!

Dr. Guillory has over 20 years of experience in higher education, 18 of which include serving in various capacities at Northwest Indian College (NWIC), including 12 years as the president.  Additional experience includes serving as a graduate assistant/mentor program coordinator within the Office of Multicultural Student Services at Washington State University (WSU).   
At NWIC Dr. Guillory’s tenure includes leading collaborative efforts such as the development and completion of a strategic plan, accreditation reaffirmations in 2017 and 2024, and enhanced degree program options including distance learning, new facilities and campus improvements, and student success initiatives.

Dr. Guillory has served on the Boards of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, the American Indian College Fund, and the Washington Governors University Advisory Board. His scholarly activities and service contributions include book chapter publications and being a peer reviewer for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Dr. Guillory has a PhD in higher education administration, a master’s degree from WSU, and a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University.  He is a direct descendant of the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho and has African American and Hispanic ancestry.  Dr. Guillory and his wife, Sunny, have two sons and two daughters and have lived in Whatcom County since 2007.   

Brad brings extensive experience in organizational leadership, advancement, fundraising, and relationship‑building, grounded in a deep commitment to mission‑driven philanthropy. With more than 15 years in Washington’s Community and Technical College System, he most recently spent eight and a half years with the Skagit Valley College (SVC) Foundation. During that time, he served primarily as Executive Director, leading three major campaigns and significantly strengthening donor engagement and community support.

Brad also brings extensive board leadership experience. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for North Cascades Institute, where he recently completed a three‑year term as board chair. His previous board service includes the Association of Fundraising Professionals Advancement Northwest, the Northwest Washington Estate Planning Council, and the Society for Wilderness Stewardship.

Brad holds a Master of Education in nonprofit administration and leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in Resource Management and Sustainability from Western Washington University.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Jenny, and their daughters, Campbell and Elise.

Beverly Jacobs (she/her) came to Bellingham in 2003 to be closer to her two daughters. One is a family practice doctor from Dartmouth Medical and the other is a PhD clinical psychologist in Fairhaven. Between them, Beverly has five grandsons.

Beverly is from the Hawaiian islands, went to Punahou, Vanderbilt, Stanford and did graduate work at Emory University and Georgia State. She spent thirty-three years in Special Education administration for high I.Q. programs in the metropolitan school systems of Atlanta, Georgia.

Beverly has been a volunteer with the ESL program under Sophia Shang to help Whatcom Community College students speak English. At most she has had 17 students in one season. She has been on the board for the Cordata Neighborhood Association for 14 years. She is currently advocating for a library in the Cordata neighborhood and works with city planners on that endeavor.

Picture and bio coming soon.

 Allen Pemberton, is a retired Information management consultant who lives and has worked in the Whatcom/Bellingham area for 30+ years.  His client list includes the municipalities of Bellingham, Lynden and Ferndale, plus many large and small businesses in the Whatcom County area.

Allen has been a resident of Bellingham off and on since 1966 and is married to Melissa Knutson a third generation Whatcom County native.  They have been married for 55 years and have 5 children.  He attended Western Washington College (University) and graduated in 1972.  After graduation Allen worked for four Fortune 500 companies, progressing from Management Trainee to Director, Information Services.

Over his consulting and corporate career, Allen has worked in a variety of industries including, food processing, transportation and consumer products. Over his 30+ years, Allen has participated in a wide variety of organization boards, holding several positions and is a founding member or the Technology Alliance Group (TAG).

Justin Gross – Partner/Wealth Advisor, Financial Plan

As a CFP® Professional and Partner at Financial Plan in Bellingham, Justin brings extensive experience in strategic business planning and financial acumen. His day-to-day work includes helping families and individuals navigate critical life transitions and optimize their wealth over the long term. Through his work as a Wealth Advisor, Justin maintains a special focus on generational wealth transfers, tax planning for trusts and estates, and charitable giving.

A proud WCC Alumni, Justin spent two years earning his Associate of Arts (AA) degree through the Running Start program, before transferring to WWU where he completed a

Business Administration degree with a Concentration in Finance. He is an active member of the Northwest Washington Estate Planning Council where he has served as Vice President, President, and Immediate Past President.

When not at work or serving the community, Justin is usually seeking out local adventures with his family including his wife, their three young children, and friendly labradoodle, Hank. Whether it is on the lake, in the mountains, or on the golf course, Justin loves taking advantage of the many amazing outdoor adventures offered by the Pacific Northwest.

Jeninne Jerowski – Director of Business Development, Pearson Builders

Jeninne Jerowski is the Director of Business Development at Pearson Builders and Tiger Construction, where she focuses on building strong relationships and driving strategic growth. With a strong focus on collaboration and long-term value, she is known for connecting people, ideas, and opportunities in ways that create lasting impact. As a lifelong Whatcom County resident and proud Whatcom Community College alumna, Jeninne is passionate about supporting local students and expanding access to education and opportunity.

Jeninne is actively involved in the community through youth athletics, where she coaches and mentors young people. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her husband and two young boys, staying busy with school and sporting activities.

She is honored to serve on the Whatcom Community College Foundation Board and contribute to its mission of supporting student success and strengthening the community.