Board of Directors
Harry Smith
President
Harry's involvement with Friends of the Carpenter began in 2018, leading to various board roles since 2020. He currently serves as our board president, focusing on leading Friends of the Carpenter into its next chapter as a valued community non-profit. A long-time resident of Clark County, Harry has a diverse professional background, including roles at American Ambulance, Washington State Patrol, and Community First Bank. His last role was at Daimler Trucks North America, where for 25 years he served in various roles, including Regional Parts Manager, where he oversaw $55M in annual sales. Outside Friends of the Carpenter, Harry's interests include music, emergency services, technology, sports officiating, cooking, and summer car shows with his 1967 Olds 442 convertible.
Greg Bass
Vice President
After volunteering for a couple of years as a woodworker, Greg joined our board in 2020 and has been vital in ensuring our facility and programs survived significant setbacks, such as COVID-19 and a large electrical fire at our site. After a thirty-four-year career in engineering, Greg retired in 2017 and relocated to Vancouver in 2018 with his wife Karen to live near their three sons. In addition to his volunteer work at Friends of the Carpenter, Greg has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and Vancouver First Presbyterian Church, where he serves as an elder. At his church, you will find him ensuring that all the broken and worn-out things get the proper attention they deserve. His interests include theology, Bible studies, and discussion groups.
Patricia Oneil
Secretary
Patricia has a longtime admiration for Friends of the Carpenter and is deeply committed to its mission. Inspired by her father's carpentry background and after meeting Duane Sich, our founding executive director, she witnessed firsthand the impact of community and acceptance through woodworking. After a long and successful career in office management, Patricia sought a way to give back to the community using her skillset. As a member of Vancouver First Presbyterian Church, she became more involved with Friends of the Carpenter, and three years ago, she joined the board as secretary and is dedicated to supporting Friends of the Carpenter's mission and ensuring its smooth operation.
Hunter Duvall
Member-at-large
Hunter has been a resident of Vancouver's Hough neighborhood for over 45 years and brings professional expertise and community involvement to Friends of the Carpenter. Retired after a 42-year career at Freightliner, predominantly in engineering, Hunter brings a good balance of analysis and strategy to our board.
Outside his board responsibilities, Hunter is an active member of Evergreen Bible Church, having served multiple terms on the leadership team and led home groups for many years. A passionate sports enthusiast, Hunter managed and played in a softball league for decades and now dedicates time to the sport of Pickleball.
Hunter's diverse experience, commitment to community development, and effective leadership make him a valuable asset to our board.
Dick Halvorson
Member-at-large
Dick is a Regional Vice President with Primerica, as an independent contractor in financial services since 1985. Prior to Primerica, he was the first director for the Sandy, Oregon, Senior Center/Recreation Department (1974-1979) and a recreation supervisor for the City of Vancouver Parks and Recreation Department, managing senior programs/community centers (1979-1984). He has actively served on many local, state, and national boards, committees, and task forces with organizations such as The National Institute of Senior Centers/National Council on the Aging; Educational Opportunities for Children and Families; CDM Caregiving Services; Specialized Housing Inc; Citizens Advisory Committee for the Building and Communities Fund/Washington Department of Commerce; District Advisory Board for the Washington Pacific District/Church of the Nazarene; Senior Heroes Awards/Vancouver, WA.
Bruce Smith
Member-at-large
Pastor Bruce is a native of Western Washington growing up in the rural area of Rochester, WA. He is a graduate of Washington State University (Go Cougs!) and holds a MDiv degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. Following seminary he served the Methodist Church in the U.K. living in England for four years. Bruce was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 2000 and has served churches in Davenport, WA; Longview WA; Vancouver, WA; and Yakima, WA. In his free time Bruce enjoys photography, listening to U2, playing with his backyard chickens and going on an occasional jog along the Lacamas Lake trails.