Board Update: June 2009

Shirley Roberson

UP is thrilled to welcome non-profit executive Shirley Roberson to our Board of Directors. Shirley has been indispensable to United Policyholders since 1997 in various paid and volunteer capacities. Shirley brings a wealth of skills and dedication to the Board. She was a cofounder of “A Central Place,” an incubator for fledgling nonprofits in downtown Oakland, California, where she served as the Executive Director for nearly 10 years. At her first Board meeting as an official member, Shirley commented, “I’ve stayed involved with UP over the years because I recognize the tremendous need for the organization’s work and the value of the services that UP provides.”

Deborah Senn

UP is very pleased to welcome Deborah Senn to our Board of Directors. Deborah has been a lawyer and consumer advocate for 28 years, successfully fighting telephone, electricity and gas rate increases on behalf of consumers. She served two terms (1993 – 2001) as Washington State’s seventh State Insurance Commissioner. During her tenure, she was praised and highly respected for her outstanding work as a leading insurance regulator. She currently serves as a consultant on insurance regulation in the United States and abroad.

Tricia Swift

We extend our deep appreciation to departing Board member Tricia Swift for her service to United Policyholders since 2006. Tricia brought professional and personal expertise to the Board through her work as an East Bay real estate agent with The Grubb Company, and as a homeowner who had to rebuild after the 1991 Oakland firestorm. A public-spirited community volunteer, Tricia attended every Board meeting and pitched in to support UP’s outreach to South Lake Tahoe Angora wildfire victims in 2007. We’ll miss her and wish her well in all future endeavors.