Scope of the Kulshan Board of Directors
Kulshan’s Board of Directors meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday at 4:45pm. Board members are given information and asked to assist the Director in steering the organization and making decisions in line with the mission of the agency. Kulshan is looking to add additional Board Members. If you are interested in becoming part of the Board, please let us know!
Larry Haak, President
Larry has served on Kulshan’s Board since 1997. Larry was born in Linton, North Dakota and moved to Lynden at the age of 2. He has lived in Whatcom County since then. He became involved in the Special Education system in Lynden in the mid 1980s. Later, he served for 8 years on the Whatcom County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board. Since then, he has served on the Kulshan Supported Employment Board. Being involved on these boards has given Larry insight into the needs of people with developmental disabilities and how the system works. Also having a family member with a disability has given him the opportunity to see how programs are designed to help people with disabilities. Larry has been married for 43 years, has a son, and a daughter and son-in-law that have 3 children. Larry is retired and enjoys doing volunteer work in the community and with Kulshan Supported Employment.
Joanne DiMuccio
Joanne has served on Kulshan’s Board since 1996. Joanne was born in Richmond California. She moved to Bellingham in 1978 and has lived here ever since. Joanne has work experience in several food and retail businesses in our area. Joanne has personal experience advocating for family members with developmental disabilities. She and her husband have a son and a daughter as well as a son-in-law and two grandchildren-Jason (12) and Jessica (10).
Frank Belzek Sr.
Frank has served on Kulshan’s Board since February 2005. Frank was born in Connecticut and has lived in Whatcom County for 9 years. Frank brings his administrative background experience to the board as well as his personal experience navigating and advocating for both a family member and other people with developmental disabilities. Frank currently volunteers for the Arc of Whatcom County and was responsible for the creation of the drama class. He also volunteers for Special Olympics, the Senior Center and the Newcomers’ Club. Frank and his wife have two adult children.
Lee Fox
Lee has served on Kulshan’s Board since July 2011. She was born right here in Bellingham. She drove Specialized Transportation buses for 13 years for Whatcom Transportation Authority which gave her the opportunity to assist seniors and folks with developmental disabilities with their transportation needs. Now retired, she has come to Kulshan Supported Employment’s Board to continue her service to aid in our community’s need to assist people with developmental disabilities. She has been a local business woman since 1978. Lee has two children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Ilona Maves
Ilona Maves was born in Fort Ord, California, the oldest child of a career soldier and his German war bride.. She split her early years between Fort Lewis and Darmstadt, Germany. Ilona graduated from Washington State University in 1971 with a General Studies degree in mathematics and a teaching certificate. Her first teaching job was in Milton Freewater, Oregon. She retired from the Mukilteo School District in 2011. She married Joe Boyd in 2011 and moved to Bellingham. Joe and Ilona have a blended family of three daughters and a son, They also have three grandchildren. Ilona loves walking the many trails in the local parks, reading, and spending time with Joe on the local lakes.
Karen Neubauer
Karen joined Kulshan’s board in 2018. Born in Washington, Karen has lived in Bellingham since 1981. She was a special education teacher at Whatcom Community College and Bellingham School District and co-created the Community Transition Program in 1997 for Bellingham. After teaching young adults to self advocate, make and achieve goals, and prepare for work, she retired in 2014. She travels often with her husband in their van or overseas to explore outdoor activities.
Charlotte Chandler
Charlotte has served on the Board since June of 2022. She hails from Kitsap County, but has lived in Bellingham for the past 20 years and considers it home. She’s a WWU alumni (Go Vikings) w/ a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, and works as an Administrator for a local accounting firm. In her free time she enjoys being with friends, travelling, cooking, gardening and volunteering in her community.