BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cassie Anderson
Board Chair
Cassie Anderson is a Citizen of the Chippewa Cree Tribe from the Rocky Boys, located in Rocky Boy, Montana. She currently serves as the Operations Manager for the Office of Tribal Relations with the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). Prior to this, she was the Program and Support Services Director for the Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations. She obtained her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Portland State University. Cassie has been working in the Social Services field for 20 years. Her experience ranges from Medicaid Services, At-risk youth work, Child Welfare, Child Protective Services, Non-Profit, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Domestic Violence/Prevention, Management, Adolescent Residential Treatment Services, and most recently Indian Child Welfare work. Cassie has a wealth of knowledge of federal, state, and tribal laws, as well as partnerships throughout each entity. Cassie’s current position requires her to be an innovative and strategic change-agent to ensure successful outcomes for our most vulnerable populations. Cassie lives in Colbert with her husband and two daughters.
Bob Castle
Vice Chair
A Spokane native, Bob Castle joined the Kalispel Golf and Country Club management team in May 2016 as General Manager. Bob earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management at Whitworth University and his Master's degree in Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University. Additionally, he earned a certificate in Food and Beverage Management from Cornell University, Sports Management from Columbia University of Professional Studies, and is a graduate of The American School of Broadcast. At Whitworth University, he was the Assistant Athletic Director, managing corporate partnerships and athletic operations for the most successful athletic department in its conference. Bob was the 18-year radio voice of Whitworth Athletics and currently serves as the Head Coach of the Whitworth Softball Program. He brings with him strong leadership, managerial, and relationship skills as well as a passion for the hospitality and golf industries. Bob has spent nearly 30 Years working professionally in the local broadcasting industry, both on the air and behind the scenes in programming and operations. Bob served as both President and Secretary of the Inland Empire Club Management Association of America.
Guillermo Espinoza
Board Secretary
Guillermo Espinosa is the proud son of Armand and Abigail Espinosa, two hard-working Mexican immigrants who moved to the United States of America to raise their family of six children in rural Central Washington. Guillermo moved to Spokane in 2009 to attend Gonzaga University as a first-generation college student. This is where he gained his passion for access to education. Guillermo earned his Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Spanish at Gonzaga and later attended Eastern Washington University where he earned his Master’s degree in Business Administration. He currently serves as the Associate Dean of K12 Partnerships and Outreach at Spokane Community College where he has been since 2014. Additionally, Guillermo serves on the board of the Hispanic Business Professional Association (Nuestras Raices), and the Spokane Human Rights Commission.
Dr. Matt Hoag
Board Treasurer
Dr. Hoag is an Associate Professor of Accounting at Gonzaga University. He currently teaches many different classes with an emphasis on auditing, financial reporting and financial accounting. His research ties into several broad areas of interest including corporate governance, ethics in accounting, audit quality and internal controls. Dr. Hoag graduated from Gonzaga University with a BBA in Accounting and subsequently worked for three years with KPMG, LLP, a large public accounting and professional services firm, in the Seattle office. In 2010, he obtained his PhD from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Prior to his current role at Gonzaga, Dr. Hoag was on the faculty at California State University, Sacramento. He and was previously licensed as a certified public accountant in Washington
David James
Board Member
David is Managing Director of New Solutions K12, an education consulting firm. David began his career as an 8th grade science teacher in Chelsea Public Schools (MA) with Teach For America. He then was a 6th-grade science teacher in Boston Public Schools and later planned and led the turnaround of a grade 6-8 middle school in Lawrence Public Schools (MA) as part of a state-led district improvement effort. In addition to his experience as a K-12 educator and consultant, he has spent time as a management consultant in the healthcare industry and as an analyst with a global investment bank. He received his BS in Business Administration from Bucknell University, M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston University, and MBA from Babson College. David has two young daughters and a golden retriever, all three of whom he and his wife, Sarah, enjoy hiking and traveling with.
Ken Vorhees
Board Member
Ken Vorhees joined Spokane Industries in 1997 as Controller and was elevated to Chief Financial Officer in 2003. Ken holds a BA in Accounting from Michigan State University and was previously licensed as a certified public accountant in Washington. Prior to joining Spokane Industries, Ken spent eleven years in public accounting with both national and local CPA firms, including operating his own firm. In addition, Ken had over ten years as controller with a Spokane based manufacturer that had multi state operations. The combined manufacturing and public accounting experience provides a well-rounded financial background and an intimate knowledge of business operations. Ken has also served in officer positions on a variety of not for profit organizations, including trustee and treasurer for a private school.
Josiah Lara
Board Member
Josiah grew up in the Spokane area and graduated from Freeman High School in 2012. He attended Gonzaga University on the Act Six Scholarship initiative, a leadership scholarship for emerging urban and community leaders who want to use their college education to make a difference on campus and in their communities at home. In 2016, Josiah earned a bachelor’s degree in history and criminal justice. Following his undergraduate studies, Josiah dedicated a year to service as an AmeriCorps Member at Second Harvest in Spokane. Josiah continued his education at Gonzaga University School of Law as a Thomas More Scholar, a public interest scholarship to further his commitment to social justice and to become a leader in the profession. Josiah obtained his Juris Doctor degree in 2020 and was admitted to the Washington State Bar the same year. Currently, Josiah serves as a Staff Attorney at The Way to Justice, a community non-profit law firm, where he assists individuals with reentry work, helping them reintegrate into society. He resides in the Spokane area with his wife and their three young children.
Jeff Hyslop
Board Member
Jeff Hyslop is an architectural designer and senior associate at NAC architecture. Jeff has over 10 years of experience specializing in K-12 and higher education design. He has worked on educational projects throughout the Spokane community, including Salk and Glover Middle schools, Shadle Park, Rogers, and Deer Park High schools. His higher education portfolio includes projects at WSU, Whitworth, Montana State University, Colorado School of Mines, Bellevue College, and Community Colleges of Spokane. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Washington State University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington. Jeff has previously taught graduate design studios at WSU and served on the Spokane Young Architects, Interns, and Associates board. Jeff is an SIA parent with a son in kindergarten.
Ashlee Lent
Board Member
Ashlee Lent has been with Moss Adams since 2013 and serves as an assurance leader in the Spokane office, focusing on clients in the higher education, governmental, and not-for-profit sectors. Her expertise includes investment portfolios, such as cryptocurrencies and alternative investments, and she remains up-to-date on grant compliance through conducting single audits. She is passionate about helping not-for-profit clients that positively impact their communities. Ashlee holds CPA certifications in both Washington and Idaho, is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and has a bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis in managerial accounting. Residing in the Spokane Valley/Liberty Lake area, she has two children attending CVSD schools who are active in sports. In her free time, she enjoys watching her children’s games, playing tennis and volleyball, and spending time with family and friends. Ashlee looks forward to serving Spokane International Academy and continuing to contribute to her community.
INTERESTED IN JOINING US?
Public Participation:
The Board recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of involving members of the public in its meetings. The Chair is responsible for the orderly conduct of the meeting and shall rule on such matters as the time to be allowed for public discussion, the appropriateness of the subject being presented and the suitability of the time for a presentation. In order to assist the Board in its orderly conduct of the meeting, individuals wishing to be heard by the Board shall have the opportunity to state their name, address, and the topic they wish to speak to, either in writing at the beginning of the meeting, and/or verbally at the time the topic is addressed on the agenda, and before the Board takes action on such item. Individuals, after identifying themselves, will address the Board and proceed to make their comments as briefly as the subject permits.
The Board shall not hear oral complaints about school personnel. A member of the public wishing to make such a complaint shall do so in writing to the Board Chair and/or CEO who shall follow the school's adopted conflict resolution policy. The Chair may interrupt or terminate an individual's statement when it is too lengthy, personally directed, abusive, or irrelevant. The Board as a whole shall have the final decision in determining the appropriateness of all such rulings.