Klahanie is more than just a neighborhood—it’s a dynamic, evolving community shaped by the voices and efforts of its residents. This year, with eight (8) candidates* stepping forward to run for the Board of Directors, the election reflects people's passion and investment in our shared future.
With a diverse group of candidates, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences, this election presents an opportunity to shape the direction of Klahanie in meaningful ways. In this feature, you'll get to know who they are, what they stand for, and how they envision contributing to the community we all call home.
Election Schedule
1/30: Candidate Forum, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM @ Challenger Elementary Multipurpose Room or via Zoom
1/31: Voting opens at 12:00 AM
3/7: Voting closes at 11:59 PM
3/11: Annual Meeting @ Challenger Elementary Multipurpose Room or via Zoom
How to Vote:
Starting on January 31st, you can vote by one of three methods:
1. Follow the instructions in the upcoming email invitation from Vote HOA Now.
2. Go to our community voting site, https://klahanie.ivotehoa.com/register, to enter your personal registration code, which you will receive via email. You can also request another registration code on this site.
3. Fill out a paper ballot or proxy at the Klahanie Association Office or request a paper ballot be sent to your home address. Make sure to bring your identification so your address and identity can be verified when you arrive.
Please note that each household is permitted to submit only one ballot.
*Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by first name
Candidate: Don Stephanian
Seventeen years ago, my wife and I chose to move to Klahanie because it felt like the perfect place to raise a family. Now, with our kids at 14 and 16, we still feel the same way about this amazing community. It’s home, and we’re so grateful to be part of it. My career path over the past 25 years is filled with a variety of roles, including clinical care, medical education, research, innovation & design and leadership. Along the way, I’ve gained valuable experience in managing large-scale budgets, project management, vendor audits, leading highly skilled teams and just plain old putting out fires—all skills I believe are incredibly useful when working in the community. Here in Klahanie, I’ve served on the board of directors as well as several committees, collaborating with others to make our community the best it can be. I’m running for the board because I care deeply about our neighborhood and want to continue contributing to what makes Klahanie such a wonderful place to call home.
Candidate: Erica Floden
My family and I have been proud homeowners since 2010. We cherish this diverse community and its opportunities for sports, recreation and nature, and I am dedicated to fostering its continued growth. As a board member, I would be committed to ensuring that the Klahanie community thrives as a place where homeowners feel confident about their largest investment—their homes. I believe that the Klahanie Board’s top priority is to, through democratic and transparent processes, safeguard that investment to achieve long-term financial stability and community growth. My number one area of focus is the decision-making and the process around the investments in pool and building upgrades. This is a significant investment with a large financial impact and needs to follow HOA-published rules, including transparency and engagement of homeowners. I’d also like to see a comprehensive audit of all current contractors to ensure that the Klahanie community is benefiting from the best values on the market and identify, review, and implement natural disaster plans. I hold an MBA in Finance, my professional background in business operations, project management, contract negotiation, and financial control positions me to contribute effectively to the board. My experience also includes volunteer work with the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, Issaquah School District, and Amnesty International, which has further strengthened my commitment to community service.
Candidate: Jennifer Shepherd
I relocated to Washington State 25 years ago and have been a proud resident of Klahanie for the past 15 years, alongside my husband Ben and our three sons. Our attraction to this community stems from its wonderful residents and the exceptional amenities Klahanie provides. I hold degrees in Fine Arts and Early Childhood Development. In addition to raising my children, I have successfully owned a dance school and a photography business, and I currently work for a local non-profit organization. My experience in the non-profit sector has significantly enhanced my community involvement by deepening my understanding of local needs and fostering connections with other passionate individuals. Working alongside dedicated professionals has inspired me to advocate for various causes and engage more actively with community organizations. This collaboration has enriched my perspective on the importance of community service and has motivated me to contribute my skills and resources to support local initiatives.
Candidate: Jim Cline
The pending proposal for a $12.5 million community center has attracted strong owner interest. I am committed to working with Klahanie residents to ensure that on this and other projects, we have a HOA Board that functions in a democratic and transparent manner, furthering the interests of the entire community. I have 38 years of experience as a practicing attorney. I have extensive professional and volunteer experience in nonprofit boards, the public sector and laws and operations involving both. I served 3 ½ years as a King County Deputy Prosecutor and nearly 35 years as a labor law attorney. Most of my labor work has been on behalf of public safety labor organizations, especially police, fire, and other first responders. These labor unions are operated as member led organizations and in my capacity as labor attorney, I have provided legal advice to nearly 100 such boards. I have also served in a range of board and leadership capacities, including a school commission, a church council, a nonprofit domestic violence organization, and a range of political organizations, including a national political organization. For the past 4 years, I have served on the Board and Treasurer for our recreational property HOA in Sunriver. In that role, I’ve developed an understanding of the importance and requirements of proper budgeting and reserve standards. I understand the role and responsibilities of Board members and those include good governance and transparent processes.
I am committed to ensuring that any large capital project is fully vetted and any requirement of taking on significant debt is approved by owners. We all want a community that respects the varied opinions of its members and my commitment as a Board member is to ensure that occurs. I will also bring to the Board my extensive experience and knowledge regarding board operations and budgeting procedures to develop a capital funding plan that is practical and prudent.
Candidate: Jim Cooper
I grew up in Tacoma and have lived in Klahanie (Audubon Ridge) with my wife, Fran, since 1988. We raised both of our daughters in this neighborhood—our youngest daughter loves Klahanie so much that she and her family have been Klahanie homeowners since 2015. Fran and I have been married for 42 years, and I retired from Boeing after spending 38 years in the Finance organization—which shows I am a person who values relationships and loyalty.
For the last two years, I have volunteered at Challenger Elementary as part of the WatchDOGS program, which works to provide a greater male presence in elementary schools. It’s been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.
Klahanie has always been a desired community known for its parks, trails, various sports courts, playgrounds, and pools. These amenities were a big reason we bought in Klahanie over 35 years ago. Our community has always focused on being well-maintained, which I see as a key element of our high property values.
I have been frequently recognized for my ability to collaborate and communicate with a wide range of people. I hope to use my background and other skills to help the Board be more transparent with the community. Communication with homeowners needs to be a top priority.
Candidate: Kim Wheelock Senior Property Manager at Summerwalk at Klahanie. No photo or bio was submitted.
Candidate: Rachel Long
Klahanie has been my home for over 33 years, where my husband, Scott, and I raised our family. Now that our children are grown, I’m eager to give back by serving on the Klahanie Board. With degrees in Economics and Computer Science, my career began in Economic Research at the Federal Reserve before moving into leadership roles at AT&T/AT&T Wireless. I’ve managed complex projects, united diverse teams, and navigated organizational change, always prioritizing collaboration and transparency. After leaving the corporate world to focus on family, I volunteered in schools and sports clubs and organized parent groups to advocate for students.
The Board’s priority should be rebuilding homeowner’s trust and fostering unity by listening to diverse perspectives and making transparent, community-driven decisions. Improving communication will strengthen our neighborhood.
Klahanie must maintain its aging amenities—landscaping, trails, open spaces, and sports facilities—while managing costs. As updates and repairs are needed, the Board must handle these projects with fiscal responsibility and homeowner engagement. I’d also like to reconnect homeowners and revive a sense of community with more small-scale activities like Neighborhood Watch and block parties to foster deeper connections.
I am organized, a strong communicator, and excel in stressful situations. Everyone has something valuable to contribute, and I am committed to fostering open communication and compromise. My collaborative approach, leadership experience, and community involvement make me a strong candidate for the Klahanie Board.
Candidate: Scott Powell
As an owner of two Klahanie properties and a resident in our community since 1999, I am deeply committed to ensuring that our HOA effectively maintains and enhances the desirability of our properties by meticulously preserving our common areas and amenities. With twenty-five years of board director experience across corporate, nonprofit, and a smaller HOA, I offer a wealth of knowledge and expertise to advance our board's purpose. I hold a BA in Finance and possess extensive business and investment experience. My professional background spans more than 30 years in operations management for a small, closely held corporation. My clientele included hundreds of nonprofit customers, requiring frequent interaction and negotiation with board and committee members. This extensive experience has honed my skills in business development, strategic planning, operations, sales, management, marketing, budgeting, forecasting, and team building. My passion for numbers and spreadsheets drives me to seek continual improvement in our HOA's financial transparency and accountability.
In my personal time, I enjoy walking the Yellow Lake Trail frequently, hiking, boating, and traveling. Having recently retired, I have the time required to dedicate myself fully to this position.
If elected, I will prioritize the following objectives to ensure our HOA's success:
Ensuring levelheaded decision-making in advancing the board's purpose of preserving property desirability.
Maintaining effective HOA leadership for the board and staff, including hiring a new or interim community director if required.
Enhancing transparency, communication, and unity within the community.
Educating the community on HOA best practices and policies.
Enhancing the organization of the HOA website portal and adding missing documentation as needed.
Building partnerships with other HOAs within Klahanie, including condominiums, townhomes, and apartments, to improve engagement, share best practices, and address common issues together.
Promoting disaster preparedness, community education, and neighborhood security.
I am dedicated to fostering an environment of collaboration and excellence within our HOA. I look forward to the opportunity to serve our community and urge you to select candidates with the same mission.
*Please note that David West has withdrawn his candidacy and will no longer be participating in the upcoming election.
Understanding Board Eligibility & Summerwalk’s Representation
There have been questions about whether a representative from an apartment complex can run for the Klahanie Board of Directors and whether their proxy votes create an unfair advantage. To ensure clarity and compliance, this matter was reviewed by legal counsel, and the following information is based on their guidance. Let’s break it down.
Who Can Serve on the Board?
Section 4.1 of the Klahanie Bylaws outlines the qualifications for board service. Six of the seven directors must be members of the Klahanie Association, meaning they must own a Lot or Living Unit in the community. If homeowners fill all six required positions, the seventh director can be someone who is not an owner. This is why a representative from Summerwalk, or any other qualified candidate from a multi-family housing complex, is legally allowed to run.
Why Does Summerwalk Have a Representative?
Summerwalk Apartments is a significant part of Klahanie. As an ownership group, they contribute 354 times the annual dues of a single homeowner. Since Summerwalk isn’t owned by an individual but by a company, their community director serves as their representative—just like any other homeowner who represents their own property.
What About Proxy Votes?
It’s true that Summerwalk, like any other property owner, can use proxy votes in the election. However, this doesn’t automatically guarantee a win for any candidate. Every homeowner in Klahanie has the same right to vote. The best way to ensure diverse representation is for homeowners to stay engaged, vote, and encourage others to participate.
At the end of the day, the goal of the Board is to represent the interests of the entire Klahanie community—including single-family homes, townhomes, and apartment residents alike. If you have concerns or want to be more involved in the process, your vote is your most powerful tool!
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