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 received her Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling and Prevention from the University of South Dakota. She is credentialed as an SUDP for Washington State and a NCAC II. Lisa is currently counseling individuals experiencing incarceration; “I feel like much of what I do is show people how to live in a new culture. Recovery culture is as rich and exciting as the people in the community. I have been personally humbled by this disease and so it is my privilege to prepare others for the inevitable twists and turns. As a CITI researcher for addiction studies, I am honored to be part of the Trilogy board. Trilogy uses empirical evidence-based services that are inclusive, diverse, and utilize peer counselors! People need choices and heroes in a disease that takes so much away”. Prior to working at Washington State Penitentiary, Lisa worked at the Christian Aid Center Rescue Mission as the Recovery Program Director for their women’s program. During her free time Lisa enjoys going on mission trips to remote areas, preferably somewhere with sunshine and palm trees.