EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2024 Executive Committee
Linda Graves , Past President
Linda has lived in Auburn since the age of 6 and is a graduate of Auburn High School. Linda went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a Master of Education in exercise physiology from Western Washington University. Linda has volunteered in the Auburn School District for several years participating on the district’s wellness committee, working with the PTA, and coordinating several wellness events and fundraisers. She has worked for Tacoma Pierce County Health Department the past 17 years as a Health Promotion Coordinator supporting schools and youth serving organizations that focus on improving the health and resiliency of youth. Linda’s passion for school wellness and youth empowerment is what brought her to the Auburn Public Schools Foundation.
Linda is the mother of son Jace who also graduated from Auburn High School and is currently pursuing his college education at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix AZ.
Brenda Ellison, Board Chair
I grew up in the Auburn Public Schools and I partially credit my friends, their families, and the public school teachers and programs, for guiding me into a post-secondary education. I married my high school sweetheart, attended Pacific Lutheran University (on scholarships, grants, loans, and work/study programs), and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, two babies in tow. I returned to Pacific Lutheran University within a few years to complete a Teacher Certification Program.
I have worked in the valley fields, the port shipyards as an electrician apprentice, as a private tutor, and in the public schools. I directed a child-care center for a few years and taught math in the Franklin Pierce and Issaquah School Districts. My husband and I built a financial services practice together which continues to still keep him busy today.
I am currently retired but lead an active life, full of friends, family, hiking, gardening, and 3 grandchildren. After being away for over 20 years, my husband and I returned to the Auburn area in 2012. I am thrilled to be close to childhood friends again and to engage in local meaningful work. I look forward to getting to know you and to making a difference for our children and community.
Linda Ball, Vice Chair
I grew up in Auburn and raised our three children here. I worked for the City of Auburn for 33 years and retired in 2018.
I enjoy hiking, walking, quilting, traveling and spending time with family.
My passion is giving back to my community. There is much work to be done and it is so rewarding to help students and families.
Shelly Clair, Treasurer
Shelly is the founding Foundation Treasurer. Shelly and her husband Darrell graduated from Auburn High School and both earned bachelor’s degrees in Accounting from Central Washington University. Their two children graduated from Auburn Mountainview High School and UW. Shelly was previously employed as a Controller with Oldcastle Precast, part of CRH, a global building materials supplier. After 20 years, she left Oldcastle to be more involved with her children. Currently, she is active in family business interests involving commercial and residential property ownership and development. She has served as Treasurer for several organizations including Hazelwood Elementary PTA, Rainier Middle School PTA, and Auburn Mountainview Booster Club.
Board of Trustees
Dr. Alan Spicciati
Dr. Alan Spicciati is the Superintendent for the Auburn School District. He is a graduate of the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, with a double major in music education and performance. He earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Washington’s Danforth Educational Leadership Program, and his Superintendent certification and Doctor of Education at Seattle Pacific University. He served as a teacher, principal, administrator and interim superintendent at Highline Public Schools. He has a passion for working with families from all communities and values partnerships with community organizations and businesses. He is a member of Rotary, is on the Communities in Schools Advisory Board, Cities in Schools board and spent many years involved in Little League. Alan loves the Auburn community and works passionately on behalf of the students of the Auburn School District. Alan and his wife Shannon live in Auburn and have two teenage sons.
Tracy Arnold
Tracy Arnold has served and supported the Auburn community for the 28 years she has lived in Auburn. Her two sons graduated from Auburn Mountainview. She was active in the PTA at Lea Hill, Terminal Park and Rainier, earning the Golden Acorn Award in 2006. She has served on the Auburn Mountainview Booster Club in a variety of roles since 2009. She was the parent representative for Auburn Mountainview’s Boys Water Polo and Swim & Dive teams for six years. She was chosen as the City of Auburn’s Volunteer of the Year in 2015. Tracy earned her graduate and undergraduate degrees from Central Washington University. She recently retired after working for the Boeing Company for 37 years.
Tiffany Copertino
I am the Auburn neighborhood Manager at BECU! I am super excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the Auburn community. My husband Bryan and I have lived in the Auburn/Black Diamond area for over 17 years. We just became grandparents to a beautiful baby boy named Walker!!
I joined BECU about 2 years ago as the manager and I am loving it! My financial career in banking has been since 2003 and I have always had a passion for teaching youth about finance. It makes me feel proud to bring financial education to the students and families of Auburn!
A special thank you Natasha Daily for inviting me to join the APSF and thank you to the APSF Board of Trustees for welcoming me.