The People
Current Board Members:
John Callahan
Board President
“I joined the Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship Coalition because I have a strong interest in wildland fires and their effects on fish and wildlife as well as experiencing the Eagle Creek Fire, near my home, in 2013. I believe in implementing tangible boots on the ground projects to deal with forest health.”
John was born in Oakland, CA. but moved to Washington with his family shortly thereafter. He considers himself a Washington native and has lived on Eagle Creek near Leavenworth since 2008.
His career includes the machinery business and recycling equipment for 28 years as well as eight years with Caterpillar Inc. and NC Machinery.
Besides serving on the Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship Coalition, John is also past president of the Washington Fly Fishing Club, served on the Sea-Drunar Board (a nonprofit recycling organization), served as chair of the parish council of the former Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church. He is a Vietnam Veteran of the Navy Seabees.
John has a Political Science degree from Seattle University.
He is married with two grown children and one granddaughter.
His hobbies include flyfishing, downhill skiing, and cycling.
Ross Frank
Founding Board Member
“If we do not deal with wildfire now, it will own us. We need to accomplish real work on the ground resulting in a healthy and wildfire resilient landscape. We also need to work culturally in our community to develop a wildfire resilient mindset.”
Ross Frank has been in the valley since 1974 arriving from Michigan one year out of college. He answered the call of the West and has been here ever since.
His careers include orchard worker, Mountain Skyliners logging, WI Peshastin Forest Products, and as an independent horse logger in 1984 for nine years. He started Red Tail Canyon Farm in 1984 and this year has completed his 37th year of sleigh rides.
Ross joined a Leavenworth neighborhood wildfire prevention group in 2003 which eventually evolved into the Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship Coalition and has been with the group ever since.
Ross served on the Board of Commissioners for Chelan County Fire District for 14 years, is a former board member of the Cascadia Conservation District, is past president of the Leavenworth Rotary Club and is a past president of the Washington State Horse Puller’s Association.
Ross was educated at the University of Michigan and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources.
Ross is married and has two grown children and four grandchildren.
His hobbies include “horsing around”, packing into the high country and teaching his grandchildren how to be horse people. He enjoys managing his 120-acre farm which includes 90 acres of family forest and is a registered tree farm.
Mandy Maxwell
Board Member – Treasurer & Secretary
Bio coming soon!
Bob Keller
Board Member – Past Treasurer
“One only needs to spend a short time out enjoying our forests and observing the wildlife to recognize the risk of devastating wildfires all around us.”
Kelly O’Brien
Board Member – Chelan County Fire District 3
“Participating in the coalition is a logical choice because it collaboratively implements work on the ground to create fire adapted landscapes in the neighborhoods of our fire district.”
Kelly is a native of North Central Washington and grew up in the Wenatchee Valley.
Kelly is currently the Fire Chief at Chelan County Fire District #3 and has been with the district since 1988. He obtained a Fire Command and Administration, General Education degree from Wenatchee Valley College.
Kelly also attended Central Washington University for paramedic EMS.
In addition to serving on the Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship Coalition, he serves on the North Central Washington Valley Fire Chiefs Association, and the Fire Defense Board that reports to the Chief of the State Patrol.
He is married with two adult daughters.
Kelly’s hobbies include road trips, hunting and hiking.
Mike Smith
Board Member – Chelan County Fire District 3
Bio coming soon!
We thank our board members emeritus, including Dr. David Nickinovich and Sharon Waters.
The CWSC also partners and collaborates with the Wenatchee River Ranger District of the US Forest Service, the Washington Department of Natural Resources, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Cascadia Conservation District, the North Central Washington Forest Health Collaborative, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service.