This past week, we enjoyed two classification talks. Brett Gailey and Ryan Mathisen our two newest members who shared their background with our club on Zoom on Friday, October 9th.
Brett was originally scheduled to give his classification talk on Friday, September 25th with former Mayor John Spencer, but Weston Pete decided he needed to be the center of attention as the newest Gailey. Brett grew up in southwestern Wyoming. The family moved to Pendleton, Oregon when he was starting his junior year in high school. The lure of the wheat fields where you could hunt on your way to school was amazing. Started out at BYU-Idaho but ended up joining the Army with his specialty being in the field of explosives.
Afterwards, went on a mission for his church to the Dominican Republic enjoying the great people of that country. Brett has both Hispanic and Basque heritage in his family background. He went to Boise State University enrolling in the ROTC program. Was a Military Police Officer, eventually joining the Boise Police Department. He and his first wife moved to the area to be closer to family. He was deployed to Iraq in 2004 and helped rebuild a police department in one of the city's in Iraq. Upon his return he went to work for the Everett Police Department. Returned to Iraq with the rank of Major and as guide for high powered dignitaries visiting the country: USO shows with Robin Williams and Lance Armstrong to name a few. Still in the military, US Army Reserves, assigned to Japan. Switched to a unit in Hawaii and in November will take command of a joint intelligence command in Texas with 45 members responsible for areas from India to the Pacific. Brett is married to Micah and between the two of them have six children. Brett enjoys music, running, hiking with his HAM radio and the Jeep crawl. His newest child, Weston Pete is named after his great grandfather. His politics started with serving on the Planning Commission to the City Council and now as full time Mayor of Lake Stevens.
Ryan was born in Renton and is a native Washingtonian. Went to Maple Valley-Covington High School. Introvert who enjoys electronics who fell in love with communications. Took several courses in communications at Northwest Community College and switched majors to Eastern Washington with a degree in Law and Justice. From there, Ryan worked in many different professions, from retail to apprentice electrician. In 2008, returned to law school and went to work in the law and justice area in prisons. Out of boredom, left that job. Ended up getting involved in mediation.
Everett DRC mediation was really enjoyable and obtained his Mediation certification and on to the Snohomish County Court system. That job prompted him to go back to law school at Seattle University. He quickly learned that all judges cared about the individuals appearing before them. Some cases made him realize that he enjoyed employment law and litigation. Joined the law review and clerked for Justice Johnson at the Washington State Supreme Court. Moved here in August with the Galloway Law Firm involved in real estate law and appeals. Wants to find justice for his clients. He met his wife at Northwest University. Got married at age 21 and 20 and ended up having two weddings. Two children. He joined Rotary so that he could get plugged into the community. During his time at the State Supreme Court, Chief Justice Stevens spoke highly of Rotary.