Board Members | Scholars of American Liberty

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Don was born in Miami, Florida and moved to Lewiston, Idaho at age 5. He later moved to Moscow, Idaho where he graduated from Moscow High School in 1970. He went on to earn both a Bachelor and

Masters degree in music education from the University of Idaho. After teaching in high schools both in Idaho and Washington, He and his family moved to Yakima when he accepted a job in the Wapato School District. During his 30+ year tenure there, he taught all grades levels from pre-school through high school. He has also been involved in churches directing choirs, working with youth, and serving on the Board of Elders.

Don is now retired and he and his wife, Cindy, are free to travel, work on various home and community projects, and enjoy their three grown kids and four grandchildren. He also teaches part time at La Salle High School in Union Gap, Wa.

I have lived in the Yakima Valley all my life, raised 4 kids Alyssa, Andrea, Brett, and Julia, which have all returned to Yakima after going to UW and living in Seattle. 2 step kids, Markus a Senior at East Valley and Alyssa going to WSU and working in Pullman. I’m a 3rd Generation farmer and our family has farmed since 1921. I’ve been very involved in the fruit industry since in 1976. I’m co-founder of Valicoff Fruit Company Inc in 1977. I’ve been on several boards and committees in the fruit industry, along with being President of the Pomology club. In 2010 planted my first wine grapes as a hobby, which has turned into producing wine under Valicoff Estates. In 2009 I started a direct marketing company to sell fruit and wine in the Seattle area under Valicoff Farms, I recently have added the Yakima area, farm to table sales. I spent many hours in Olympia lobbing and testifying for the fruit industry in the 90’s. Family means everything to me and was very involved with all their school activities along with coaching AAU basketball for 14 years and Little League baseball. I’m very excited to have an idea of mine become reality under Scholars of American Liberty, as I’m so proud of our volunteers that have stepped up to take the lead in developing a curriculum for High School kids, to better educate them about being an American. I’m hoping after completion of this course they will have a better understanding of the constitution, Bill of Rights, Capitalism, Free Enterprise, socialism, and communism, etc., and be able to create their own philosophy and values, instead of being brain washed.

Alicia was born and raised in California. Received a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State in 1998 and moved to Yakima, Washington. Her career began at Providence Hospital until 2001 and then she moved to working as a school based OT in Special Education Services. She received her Masters in Education, Special Education, Assistive Technology at University of Louisville. She has served her community through Sunday school programs, Caravans Scouting, Upward Soccer, and homeless ministries. She is married and has 3 beautiful children and 2 beautiful step children. Alicia currently works in East Valley School District. She loves this country and is dedicated to restoring it to it's former glory through the Civic Education of our local youth.

Project coordinator Dave Ettl views life through the lens of someone who grew up on a cattle and grain farm on the Great Plains of Northeastern North Dakota. The nearest town, Lakota, named for the Teton Sioux nation, was five miles away. Population 750. Translation - there's really no need to go to town!

Dave is the middle child of three and like so many middle kids he worked hard to jockey for attention. He was a National Honor Society member, Student Body President and basketball team captain. In his spare time he liked to hunt, fish and explore the outdoors which led to an Associate Degree in Wildlife Management while on a basketball scholarship to a community college.

A change of majors resulted in 3 years spent in the new all-volunteer Army from 1974 to 1977 where he was a Radio/TV information specialist. Two years were spent in Washington State and he knew he would be back someday.

The G.I. Bill covered a double major of Broadcasting and Psychology at Minot State University in Minot, ND. His commercial radio & TV career started there in the evenings as he attended school by day. Graduation found him headed to Blacksburg, Virginia and Virginia Tech's Radio//TV/Film department where he won a national Agricultural Communicators in Education Award.

Next stop, Eureka, California where he worked as a TV reporter, News Director and Anchorman. That experience brought him back to Washington where he continued to work as a TV reporter, News Director and Anchorman for the next 16 years at all three network affiliates.

In 2001 Dave started a 20-year run as the Morning Host of Yakima's Newstalk radio station 1280 KIT. During that time, he was twice elected to serve on the Yakima City Council.

Dave stepped away from radio to teach for a year at Yakima's Riverside Christian School where he taught World History, US History, Civics and Current World Problems.

That experience fanned the flames of Dave's love of history which ultimately led to his current position as the instructor for the Scholars of American Liberty.

About that "seeking attention thing"...Dave is back on the radio with farm fresh common sense, 6-9 am weekdays.

Matt was raised in the Yakima Valley, graduated from Zillah High School in 1986 and graduated from Central Washington University in 1990 with a teaching degree in Social Science. Matt has taught in both public and private schools for over 30 years while at the same time pastoring Valley Covenant Community church in Zillah for the last 27 years and counting.

As a pastor/teacher, he has done extensive research and teaching on the practical application of biblical principles to everyday life (Matthew 4:4). Equipping the saints to see all of life through the lens of scripture that the church may fulfill its calling, making disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:19-20).

He has taught both young people and adults in Biblical Law, History, Civics, Current Events, Economics, et. al., all from a Biblical worldview. Each of these studies presupposes that society can only advance in liberty under a godly law-structure. If we are to make disciples of the nations, it is imperative that we know, understand and apply these foundations of social order.

Matt and his wife Lisa successfully raised and homeschooled their eight children, three of whom are married, who have given them seven grandchildren…so far.

Education: US Army Primary and Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Academies (1981/83); Michigan State University (BA, 1988); Case Western Reserve University School of Law (JD, 1991); United States Army Judge Advocate General Basic and Advance Course Graduate.

Military Service: United States Army, active duty armor, Sergeant, (79-83, IRR 84-86). Washington Army National Guard, armor, Staff Sergeant, (92-97); United States Army Reserve, JAG, (1997-2017, retired as Major).

Relevant Work Experience: Yakima County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney (94-96); Yakima City Assistant City Attorney (96-98); private law practice, associate, Yakima (98-2000); Managing Partner, Yakima law firm (now Brumback & Ottem, 00-present). 20 year US Army Reserve JAG officer, prosecutor, domestic operations attorney (Constitutional law). Yakima County Judge pro tempore. JAG Constitutional law instructor, United States Northern Command (Peterson AFB, CO), FEMA (Region 10), US Army (Reserve) 6th JAG Det (JBLM).

Civic Service: VFW Post 379 (Yakima), American Legion Post 36 (Yakima), NRA (Life Member), Second Amendment Foundation (Life Member). Yakima Farmers Market (past). Boy AAU basketball coach. Mock Trial instructor, Riverside Christian High School (past).

Personal: Married to Liz, three children (Allison, Ava, Hayden) and a grandson (Morrison).

Born and raised in the Yakima Valley, Schuyler is a fifth-generation farmer, tracing this legacy to the Dunn family homestead of 1876 in the lower Yakima Valley. As a Wapato High School student, he took part in the First Robotics Competition (FRC), Future Farmers of America (FFA), and Junior State of America (JSA). Upon graduating from Wapato, he attended Washington State University from 2015-2019 studying Agricultural Economics. It was at WSU where Schuyler took part in ASWSU, the student government, as well as numerous officer positions in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. After college, Schuyler returned home to farm cattle, orchard, and new crops alongside his father. In winter of 2020 he started his own company, branching off in 2021 to begin his own farming operations in the Konnowac Pass and Parker Heights areas of the lower Yakima Valley. As a registered voter from the day he turned 18, Schuyler holds civic engagement and patriotism to be of the utmost importance.

My employment history consists of Nursing and Accounting/Bookkeeping. Upon receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, I held nursing positions, both in hospitals and private practices, in Colorado, California and in Washington State.

In the mid 1980s, my husband Tom and I established a "Family Run" business with three locations within the State of Washington. I was the designated Secretary/Treas.of the Corp., therefore, it was only natural that I inherited the position of Bookkeeping/Accounting. I had no choice but to learn a whole new vocation. With the teaching by a local Accounting Firm and simply "learning on the job", I maintained that position for 20+ years.

Sadly, my husband Tom passed away after 57 years of marriage and raising two children whom we are very proud of.

If I was asked: "What is the single greatest influence in shaping the person whom I am", I would contribute it to -- WHO raised me, HOW I was raised and WHERE I was raised. I grew up on a ranch in a remote area of western South Dakota where hard work, responsibility, sacrifice, innovation, ingenuity, perseverance, faith, patriotism and freedom was a "way of life"

I am a husband, father, grandfather, combat veteran, and patriotic Christian American.

Leadership. I was promoted by my peers to the highest enlisted rank in the US Army and WA Army National Guard. I started as a private and retired as a Command Sergeant Major. I was a leader of men and women in the most difficult of situations. One of my strongest leadership qualities is to inspire others to work cooperatively.

Experience. I served as a Soldier, State Trooper, Town Marshal, DSHS Security Guard, Emergency Services Director, Emergency Management Volunteer, National Guard Homeland Response Force Liaison to multiple County Emergency Operations Centers, City Emergency Operations Centers, and City, County and State Response agencies and finally, Counter Drug Task Forces who supported several Task Forces around the State of WA.

Professional Education. It wasn’t theoretical, but rather practically focused to accomplish tasks and missions. I attended all US Army Non-Commissioned Officer academies. I was entrusted to lead soldiers, a great honor. I am a graduate of the US Army Sergeants Major Academy, US Army Ranger School and Special Forces Course (Green Berets). I then I put those skills I learned into action leading and mentoring soldiers and civilians.

I learned firsthand from the best who serve our republic. My field classroom consisted of a variety of rural and urban environment where mistakes had real life consequences. The conditions around the world in which I operated, and learned, involved training, advising, and combat operations. My life’s classroom involved being physically challenged, exhausted, and mentally taxed. Stressful leadership moments involved being responsible for our most important treasure, that is, our republic’s young men and women who serve.

I retired as a Green Beret/Special Forces soldier. Our motto is “De Oppresso Liber”. This means “To Liberate the Oppressed”. This ethos defines who I am at my core. I am about freedom, liberty and protecting innocents against oppressors. Citizens must engage corrupted school boards, city councils and county governments. If not, then who will? I seek to empower, educate, and inspire our next generation of patriots by setting the example of lead in order to serve.

The Constitution is for ALL people. Freedom is not Free and requires vigilance and sacrifice. Being able to protect yourself, family, and property is a God given fundamental right. Excessive taxation and regulations must end so people can keep what they’ve earned. Law enforcement cannot be our personal bodyguards and the Fire Department can’t respond to every need during a large-scale emergency. Our first duty, as citizens, is to protect our families. The justice system must prosecute those who endanger and harm innocent people. Bad people exist, and only good people who have shown they can step between the bad to protect the good, are right for these times.

Patti grew up on a cattle ranch located near the Central California Coast town of Los Alamos. Involved in 4-H and FFA through high school, Patti graduated from the University of LaVerne with a BA in Business. Her career has included working for farming companies, produce distributor, and equipment manufacturer. In the early 2000’s Patti began her banking career with a community bank in Santa Maria, CA, which eventually, through mergers and acquisitions, became Rabobank, the largest ag lending institution in the world. In 2013, Patti and her husband, Greg, transferred to Rabo AgriFinance in Yakima. Patti missed the community involvement of community banking and sought out Banner Bank, a mid-sized community oriented, Washington State bank, where she has worked as a commercial loan officer since 2014.

Throughout the years, Patti has been involved in 4-H as a project leader and summer camp director; California Women in Agriculture member, with the Santa Maria chapter as Vice President, and Treasurer; Yakima Kiwanis Club President, Vice President, and Board member. Patti has actively volunteered her services as a Banner Bank employee and Kiwanian to Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Pegasus Project, Central Washington Fair’s school supply collection, Yakima Pomological Society’s annual golf tournament, and Camp Prime Time’s biennial auction and dinner. Patti is a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church’s parish council and serves as a lector and greeter.