CATHY McABEE
Appointed to the Renton Technical College Board of Trustees in March 2010.

Career Profile :
Cathy is employed by Valley Medical Center as the manager of Valley Family Medicine the Residency. Prior to that, she served as the manager of the Emergency Department at Valley for 7 years. During her tenure at Valley, Cathy also served as a project manager and as the Director of Critical Care, Ambulatory Treatment Unit, IV Services and the Emergency department. She is an RN and has worked for 30 years in various roles in critical care, the emergency department, project management and Family Medicine.

Education Profile:
Cathy holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Nursing from Seattle University and a Master’s Degree of Business in Health Administration from City University.

Community Involvement:
Rotacare, a free medical clinic in Renton which is a collaborative effort of Renton Rotary and Valley Medical Center’s. Valley Medical Center’s various activities and booths for Blood pressure, bike helmets, and diabetic screening. (Kent Cornucopia Days, Renton River Days).

Why are you a Renton Technical College Trustee?
I have grown-up in this community and I’ve seen the benefits that Renton Technical College (RTC) engenders. I have mentored several young adults to higher education, and the first step along the path was RTC’s Health program. Education has always been a fundamental principle in my life and my children’s life. I believe in RTC’s mission of lifelong learning and I desire to share in that mission with the community it serves.

One of my favorite quotes is “Education is not filling a pail but the lighting of a fire” ~ William Yeats

TYLER PAGE
Appointed to the Renton Technical College Board of Trustees in June 2009.

Career Profile:
Employed for nineteen years by AllpakTrojan, a Renton company specializing in the manufacture of high-end printed packaging, displays and point-of-purchase systems, as a computer system administrator, programmer and data analyst.

Education Profile:
Undergraduate studies at the University of Washington.

Community Involvement:
King County Citizens Election Oversight Committee member, 2003 - 2005 Kent Food Bank volunteer Political volunteer and organizer in the Renton – Kent community

Why are you a Renton Technical College Trustee?
“Renton Technical College creates opportunity for thousands of students and makes a tremendous contribution to our regional economy. Our mission is to build on this success and help guide the College to future greatness. It is truly an honor to participate in this effort as a representative of the public.”

SUSAN PALMER
Appointed to the Renton Technical College Board of Trustees in October 2011.

Career Profile :
Susan works for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District Lodge 751 in Seattle, WA. Originally hired by Boeing in 1986 she soon became an active member of her union and after serving as a union steward as well as holding several positions within her local lodge, she was elected to serve as a full time Business Representative in 1996. In 2006 she was elected to and currently serves as the District Secretary-Treasurer.

Education Profile:
Attended Bellevue Community College, Business Management.

Community Involvement:
I am an ardent supporter and fundraiser for Guide Dogs of America and have helped organize the “Flight for Sight” fun run at the Boeing Everett Activity Center for the past 10 years. I currently serve on the Board of the Puget Sound Labor Agency which helps union members and members of the community during hard times. For the last 9 years I have helped raise money and organized volunteers and walkers for the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk in Bellevue’s Downtown Park. I have also served as a board member of the King County Airport Roundtable, Delegate to the King County Labor Council and as a Precinct Committee Officer.

Why are you a Renton Technical College Trustee?
“I’ve lived in Renton almost my entire life and I love it here. That’s why I’m especially honored to have this opportunity to serve as a Trustee and give back to the community in a way that can have such a positive impact on people’s lives. Businesses in our state need qualified workers so they can be competitive and successful. I’m proud to know RTC plays in big role in that and as a Trustee I’m going to do my best to help RTC give even more people opportunities to achieve their goals so that our community, state and economy will continue to grow and prosper for many years to come.”

IRA SENGUPTA
Appointed to the Renton Technical College Board of Trustees in December 2004.

Career Profile: 
Works as the Executive Director for the Cross Cultural Health Care Program and has worked in cross cultural issues in health and social services for the past 14 years. Areas of focus include cultural competency training, community based research, and organizational assessments.

Education Profile:
Currently enrolled in the Doctoral program in Human and Organizational Development at the Fielding Graduate Institute. Received her Masters in English from Jadavpur University, India.

Community Involvement: 
Member of the National Committee for Development of Cultural Competence Curriculum for Primary Care Physicians
Member of the Expert Panel on the National Initiative for Children’s Health Quality
President of the Indian Association of Western Washington
PTA President at Ridgewood Elementary and Meeker Junior High School
Received the Governor’s Award for Volunteer of the Year in 1989

Why are you a Renton Technical College Trustee?
“Community responsive education is my interest and focus. Renton Technical College is building community capacity and strength everyday with its multitude of educational programs. It is my honor and privilege to support this vital endeavor to ensure a viable future for all our communities.”

KIRBY UNTI 
Appointed to the Renton Technical College Board of Trustees in December 2009.

Career Profile: 
Employed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for the last 31 years and is currently serving St. Matthew Lutheran Church in the Renton Highlands.

Education Profile:
Received his Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Communication from the University of Washington and his Masters Degree in Theology from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California.

Community Involvement:
Renton Rotary – Past President Communities In Schools – Advisory Renton Magazine – Columnist Emergency Feeding Program – Host ARISE Men’s Shelter – Host Compass Center Veterans Housing Renton – Community Advocate Renton Citizen of The Year 2007

Why are you a Renton Technical College Trustee?
"I believe RTC is a key to the economic engine of the Pacific Northwest in being able to provide a skilled work force. It amazes me that there is a place like RTC than can transform a person’s life by moving them from a minimum wage to a living wage in short order. The world has come to our doorstep and the gathering place is RTC."