BOARD

Pat Spencer

Board President

Pat Spencer received his doctorate in Geological Sciences from the University of Washington and has been teaching Geology at Whitman College since 1984. His work focuses mostly on the fossil record of Ice Age sediments in southeastern Washington. In his time at Whitman, Pat has served as Chair of the Geology Department; Chair of the Science Division; Chair of the Faculty; and Provost and Dean of the Faculty. He is happiest when teaching. Pat has been affiliated with Trilogy since its beginning, previously serving on the Board of Directors; he has been happily sober for more than 38 years.

Lenna Buissink

Board Secretary

Lenna Buissink, originally from Pullman, Washington, studied Elementary Education and History at Washington State University before becoming an elementary school teacher in Walla Walla. She retired in 2001, and in 2006 was introduced to Trilogy Recovery Community through her work with the first Family Support Group. When the board formed in 2010, Lenna was a clear choice as a member and served as the secretary until 2012, and starting again in 2018. Lenna also volunteers in the Walla Walla community through her role on the Human Services Advisory Board. Lenna Believes Trilogy is making huge strides in educating youth about substance use, challenging the stigma associated with addiction, and positively touching the lives of its youth and family members. Now that her two children are grown and out of the house, Lenna cares for her pet dog. In her spare moments, she volunteers at an assisted living facility, picks up a good book, or watches a Cougar football game.

Jesse Betts

Board member

Jesse Betts was born in Redbluff, California in 1978. He moved to Walla Walla, Washington in the summer of 1988. He started working at the YMCA in 2015 and is currently the Membership Director there. Jesse has been in recovery since July of 2015 and is an active member in recovery support groups in Walla Walla. He has a fiance and three kids and is mostly a home body. His leisure activities include, pickleball, basketball, and board games with his family.

Roger Esparza

Board member

Roger was born and raised here in Walla Walla. Roger is very involved in the community giving countless hours of his time. Roger and his wife Krissy have 3 children Ava, Alex and Amaya. They love to travel to Alaska in the summer and to Mexico in the winter. He currently serves on several boards and has been a coach, mentor and volunteer for numerous organizations. Community service activities include: Walla Walla Association of Realtors Board of Directors, Chairman, Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce (2018), Downtown Walla Walla Foundation Board of Directors, Walla Walla School District Facilities Task Force, Sherwood Leadership Trust Graduate (2006), Community Council Board Chair (2015-2017).

Board Member—Ruben Hernandez

Board member

Ruben has been living in Walla Walla since he was 5 years old. He is involved in the community with coaching soccer and basketball. He graduated from Walla Walla High School and Eastern Washington University.

He is member of Diversion and Inclusion board for the City of College Place and has been a coach, mentor, and volunteer for organizations such as: Sherwood Leadership Trust Graduate (2017), Chairman for Friends Children of Walla Walla Board (2017-2019), Walla Walla Latino Alliance (2016-2019). His goal is to join organizations that can help the youth and low-income families. Ruben wants to be that voice than can help reach the community and educate everyone on all the resources Walla Walla has to offer. He and his wife Ruthell have 2 children, Romeo, and Royce. They love to watch movies, go on walks, and travel to Guatemala, Mexico and explore new places.

Lisa Shenk

Board member

Lisa Shenk, moved to Walla Walla in 2017 from Portland, Oregon and has since worked at the Christian Aid Center Rescue Mission. Lisa is the director of the women’s recovery program. She received her Bachelor of Science in Addiction Counseling at City Vision University. She is currently working on her Master’s in Addiction Counseling and Prevention at University of South Dakota and ultimately licensure in Washington State as an SUDP. Lisa is passionate about helping others find the way out of addiction culture into the culture of recovery. Lisa has been in active recovery from alcoholism, drug addiction and an eating disorder since 2008. The school of hard knocks and a family propensity for addiction has made this life work very personal. Lisa is also a certified peer counselor and jail ministry volunteer. During her free time Lisa enjoys going on mission trips to remote areas. In homage to her deceased father, who was an eye doctor, she enjoys working in the eye clinics in poverty-stricken areas. “Addiction is brutal. It breaks apart relationships. Much of my life work today is a living amend to those I hurt”. Lisa also enjoys playing the ukulele, snowboarding, and going anywhere there are palm trees and sunshine.