The following is a compilation of community service and activism that Justin has been engaged in over the last 20 years while living in San Juan County (SJC) highlighting that Justin always backs his leadership up with action.

Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC)

• Asked to serve on the FAC by Rick Hughes in 2020 after a negative experience at the SJC Fair in 2018, prompting vocal advocacy for improvements in Washington State Ferries (WSF) operations
• Initially faced challenges in making progress on the committee but was eventually appointed Chair in early 2024
• Transitioned from being a passive entity to actively advocating for residents and working towards tangible outcomes
• FAC now plays a key role in setting goals for ferry actions in the county and assisting in prioritizing legislative requests for the current Council

Community Water Taxi (CWT)

• Founded the Community Water Taxi (CWT) with Tom Bridge in response to the collapse of WSF service during the SJC Fair in fall 2023
• The goal was to provide alternative transportation between the islands, prioritizing accessibility over profit
• Attracted the involvement of other community members, including Ed Andrews, Sandy Playa, and Carey Eskridge
• Focus shifted to developing organizational capacity, advocacy, and conducting a comprehensive survey on interisland transportation needs
• Ongoing collaboration with the Council has occurred to provide data and information for the County’s efforts in working with the State
• Helped draft emergency request with SJC Chair Fuller for funding to assist with on water transportation when the interisland is out of service which lead to the Governor providing $1.5M in funds. 

Housing

• Involved with OPAL Community Land Trust for 21 years, initially arriving on Orcas to build offices and apartments for OPAL
• Collaboration with OPAL enabled individuals like my wife, Amber, to remain on Orcas and continue her work, preventing relocation to the mainland
• Worked on various OPAL projects, including the Wild Rose Meadow neighborhood during the 2008 Mortgage Crisis, providing employment to over 50 local trades-workers and supporting struggling companies
• Recognized for service in the cause of Fair Housing with the Fisher Award by OPAL in 2015
• Estimated involvement in building and working on over 50 affordable housing units, demonstrating a long-term commitment to addressing housing needs in the community

OPALCO Energy Audits

• Collaborated with 2 other contractors and OPALCO staff around 2010 to design and implement OPALCO’s first Energy Audit Program
• Program aimed to bring energy-efficient practices and materials to consumers
• Evolution of the program and its goals led to the Switch-It-Up Program known today
• The pioneering effort focused on energy efficiency solutions in SJC

Recovery In Community

• Witnessed the tragic consequences of untreated trauma-induced alcohol abuse in the community
• Believes in the importance of proactive support and recovery services to prevent similar incidents in the future
• Founding board member of Recovery In Community, a 501(c)(3) organization providing recovery and support services to individuals in the community
• Involved in operating the Recovery Rides program, facilitating over 30 trips for clients to and from recovery services in the past year

Kaleidoscope, Early Childhood Education (ECE), and the start of the Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC)

• My company, Terra Firma NW, served as the general contractor for Kaleidoscope’s building expansion in 2007/08
• Provided significant labor and supervision for the project pro-bono
• Resulted in the creation of two new classrooms for infants and toddlers
• Renovation done without Kaleidoscope taking on any debt
• Initially staffed by a single employee supporting preschool and ECE families
• Now serves as the hub for all social service activities on Orcas
• Current space includes 3 classrooms and can accommodate about 27 children from birth to 3 years old
• Established a new rent-free office for OCRC (formerly Orcas Family Connections)

Foster Parenting

• Became licensed as foster parents around 2004 due to a need for foster parents in the community
• Fostered approximately 50 children over the years
• At one point, the only licensed foster home in SJC
• Focus was on ensuring that children in crisis on the islands didn’t have to leave their community
• Provided foster care for children from Lopez, Orcas, and the mainland

Orcas Island Park and Rec Commissioner (OIPRD) & Work at Buck Park

• OIPRD Commissioner for the past 10 years, involved since the District’s inception
• Played various roles, especially in programming and governance as a commissioner
• Contributed to the agreement between OIPRD, Off-Leash Organization, and the Land Bank for the Orcas Island Off Leash Area to be located at Buck Park
• Provided pro-bono labor through my company for rebuilding baseball and softball dugouts, expanding pickleball court space, and completing a new playground in collaboration with Kiwanis and Lions Clubs, resulting in over $100,000 in cost savings for the district
• Emphasizes commitment to community involvement to maximize tax dollars for OIPRD projects

Youth Athletics

• Helped officially form the Orcas Island Booster Club as a 501(c)(3) organization
• Served as the head of the Booster Club, raising over $200k to support school athletics
• Involved in youth athletics for over 20 years on Orcas Island as an organizer, coach, and official
• Volunteered as an announcer for various sports activities for over a decade
• Given the “senior-game” speech at end-of-season games for more than 200 players and families
• Started coaching with own children and then assisted with high school coaching
• Became a certified referee post-pandemic due to a shortage of officials for school games
• Referees middle and high school games on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan islands

4H

• Volunteered with the Horse 4H Program on Orcas for 17 years
• Served as Superintendents at the San Juan County Fair
• Facilitated all equine events at the fair

Orcas Bakery Co-op

• Recently involved with the Orcas Bakery Co-op in Eastsound, initially as a consultant to aid in the challenging permitting process
• Consultation expanded to construction advice, requests for assistance, and eventually hands-on involvement, leading to significant volunteer and pro-bono labor
• Despite setbacks and challenges, the bakery successfully operated throughout the summer, making a positive contribution to the local food supply