TACOMA, Wash. – University of Puget Sound welcomes Richard M. Brooks ’82, who has been a member of the board of trustees since 2002, as the new board chair, and announces three new board members: Janeen Solie McAninch ’77, P’06, who is returning to the position; Mitzi W. Carletti ’78; and Guy Watanabe ’75, M.B.A. ’76.

Brooks (pictured right) succeeds Deanna Oppenheimer ’80, P’11, P’14, who will continue as a trustee, following seven years as board chair. The three new trustees were elected at Puget Sound’s annual meeting in May, and their terms began July 1.  At the same meeting Brad Cheney ’82; Lowell Daun '68; and Peter K. Wallerich P'77 were elected trustees emeriti.

Richard Brooks is chief executive of Zumiez Inc., a specialty retailer of sports apparel, footwear, and equipment, with 350 stores nationwide. It is headquartered in Everett, Wash. Prior to 2002 Brooks was Zumiez’s vice president and chief financial officer. Earlier roles included serving as a finance officer for Interchecks Inc., a subsidiary of Bowater Plc, and working for the financial advisory firm now known as Deloitte & Touche. Brooks received a bachelor’s degree in business from Puget Sound.

Mitzi Carletti is a partner and portfolio manager at Badgley Phelps Investment Managers, an independent company of investment advisors based in Seattle. She worked previously for Frank Russell Company as an analyst, and for Merrill Lynch as a trader and investment advisor. Carletti has had roles at multiple community organizations and is currently a committee member for the Puget Sound Blood Center “Faces for Life.” At University of Puget Sound, where she graduated with honors, she has served on the alumni board and chaired the annual fund and student activities committees. She now serves as an alumni class representative.

Janeen Solie McAninch is president and chief executive officer of Becker Capital Management, an independent asset management firm based in Portland, Ore. She is responsible for managing day-to-day operations, including trading, compliance, and administration, and is a member of the firm’s high-net-worth client advisory team. Prior to joining Becker, McAninch spent six years at Pacific Northwest Trust Co. as senior vice president and principal. A Puget Sound alumna, she is returning to the role of trustee, having earlier served from 2000 to 2009.

Guy Watanabe is founder, owner, and president of GW Capital Inc., an investment advisory firm based in Bellevue, Wash., that primarily serves institutions and high-net-worth individuals. He has 34 years of investment experience, including 20 years at GW Capital and an earlier term at Kennedy Associates. Watanabe is a member of the CFA Society of Seattle and CFA Institute, and is a board member of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. He holds a Master of Business Administration in finance and Bachelor of Business Administration from Puget Sound.

The responsibilities of the board of trustees of University of Puget Sound include setting the university’s mission and reviewing its major policies, appointing and supporting the president, overseeing strategic planning and the educational program, and approving financial priorities and the annual budget. Trustees also serve as public ambassadors for the university, and act as a bridge to the community, alumni, and public at large.

Print-quality photos of Richard Brooks are available at Press Photos - University of Puget Sound.

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