Patrick D’Amelio has had a lifelong connection to camp, beginning as a camper, then as a seasonal staff member and camp director, and eventually serving as an executive director overseeing four summer camps providing residential, tripping, and environmental education programs. Patrick serves as as Board President for Camp Gallagher and is serving his first term on the American Camp Association National Board.

Outside camping, Patrick has dedicated his 30+ years in the non-profit sector to advancing equity by expanding access and opportunity through his work in education and youth development. Most recently, he served as CEO of the Washington State Charter School Association, helping launch a public charter school system in Washington. Before that, he served as the CEO of Washington STEM, helping to build a statewide STEM ecosystem bringing educators, business leaders, STEM professionals, and community leaders together to build student success and connect them with STEM career opportunities in their communities. Patrick also served as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Seattle and supported Seattle Public schools as CEO of the Alliance for Education. Over his career, Patrick has led efforts to raise over 100 million dollars in support of young people

both in the classroom and in critical out-of-school enrichment programs – including camp. In June of 2022, Patrick formed his consulting practice, and he is currently providing strategic consulting services and coaching to schools, districts, non-profit organizations, and foundations. Patrick lives in Seattle with his husband, Jeff, and their children, Etta and Dylan.

Tracy has been supporting the educational and emotional needs of young people for more than 25 years. She is the Owner and Executive Director of A Path Forward Social Emotion Coaching LLC. Prior to this, she served as a middle school teacher and administrator for many years.

Tracy brings 20+ years of camping and environmental education experience to the board. She's passionate about serving the under-represented and has served on the board of Providence House and Sojourner House, both of which support homeless women and children. Tracy lives in Shoreline with her husband Matt. They have two children, a son-in-law and a granddaughter that they love spending time with.

Now retired from full-time teaching, Tom worked as a junior high teacher for more than three decades. During that time he served as a department chair, yearbook advisor, and coach of baseball and basketball. He also served as a high school welding teacher and volunteer leader in the Peace Corps in Morocco, 1980-1982.

Having worked at summer camps for 19 summers, 13 as a camp director, Tom brings extensive experience to the Friends of Camp Gallagher board. He's passionate about empowering young people to be leaders and serve their community.

In addition to teaching, he volunteers at a homeless shelter for men and women.

With a passion and long-term vision for Camp Gallagher, Joe Principe brings his professional role and resources as the Regional Manager in the Pacific Northwest for A&A Elevated Facility Solutions. Joe is committed to contributing his knowledge and skills so that Camp Gallagher can be recognized as a world-class organization ensuring that the beauty and experience that is Gallagher will continue to influence the lives of future generations of campers.

Joe lives in rural King County, WA with his wife Susan and their yellow Labrador, Payette. He and his family are avid lovers of all things outdoors, particularly gardening, skiing, hiking, cycling, scuba diving, swimming, and boating.

Bryan is the founder of Sahsen Ventures, which invests in and supports mission-driven enterprises focused on life sciences, education, social justice, and the environment. From 1994 to 2016, he was Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of Quadra/Quellos and subsequently BlackRock Alternative Advisors.

Bryan also serves or has served on the boards of several startups. He is an advisory board member of the University of Washington Investment Company, the Institute for Protein Design, and the Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine. He earned a BA in Mathematical Economics from Pomona College in 1984 and an MBA degree, with honors, from the University of Chicago in 1989.

Eric manages a range of business interests including construction and property management and real estate investments. He also has experience in website development and was an early team member supporting the development of MSN, kids group. 

Eric has a long history of working with youth camping programs. He was a camp kid himself and attending 25 sessions of camp over six summers (likely a camp record)! Eric went on to work in camping and environmental education programs for nine years.