Dare we face the question of just how much of the darkness around us is of
our own making?— Betty MacDonald
We’re a collective of experienced Island residents providing free guidance and support to visionary Vashon entrepreneurs.
Tag Gornall
With a 45-year career spanning marine biology and veterinary medicine, Tag has worked globally—studying aquatic life, designing aquariums, consulting for governments, and even advising Hollywood productions. He was involved with the first orca in captivity, played a key role in rehabilitating otters affected by the Exxon-Valdez oil spill, consulted on Free Willy 2, and earned the title Seattle’s Whale Doctor. His expertise has been invaluable to the Puget Sound region, where he has collaborated with the Seattle Aquarium, Point Defiance Aquarium, and Woodland Park Zoo.
FOUNDER
Tyrone Cunningham
Tyrone is the development officer and head of corporate relations at the Technology Access Foundation (TAF), a Seattle-based nonprofit reshaping K-12 public education across Washington State, particularly for students of color and those from traditionally underserved communities.
On Vashon, he enjoys spending time with family and friends and is an active presence in the local basketball scene as both a player and coach for youth teams.
TRUSTEE
Gina Jacobs
A proud Vashon Island resident for over 40 years, Gina has dedicated much of her time to supporting local nonprofits, often serving as treasurer. Calling herself a “Jill-of-all-trades,” she’s owned a construction company, worked in finance and management at various Island businesses, and even had a stint as a medical assistant at the old Vashon Health Center. After serving as a King County Superior Court Clerk, she now works in the Court’s Finance department, managing payroll and accounts payable.
A passionate horse lover, Gina and her partner, Jim, share a small farm in Burton, home to a lively menagerie of animals.
TREASURER
Rondi Lightmark
Rondi is the founder of The Whole Vashon Project, fiscally sponsored by Island GreenTech, with a mission to educate, inspire, and unite the Vashon community in tackling the climate crisis. A former teacher, school administrator, and photographer, she is also the creator of Lightmark Press, a line of greeting cards featuring dogs in cars.
As a professional writer, Rondi has co-authored two books and collaborated on another, covering topics ranging from dog training through visualization to Buddhist time management and the Western path of spiritual development. She lives in a tiny house and plays the fiddle.
TRUSTEE
Lilian Abelha
Lil Abelha is a seasoned techie & entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience. She moved to Vashon Island in 2020 via downtown Seattle. Since then, she’s embraced the island’s commitment to a sustainable practices and political activism. Besides GreenTech, Lil belongs to other Island boards, as well as service for Footprints Running Camp as a board member. Lil enjoys trail running and spending time at the beach with her dog, Betty.
BOARD MEMBER
Kathy Abascal
Kathy grew up in Sweden before moving to the U.S. to study neurobiology and biochemistry at UC Berkeley. She later earned a J.D. and worked as a research attorney at the California Court of Appeal before transitioning to private practice, specializing in complex consumer cases. Passionate about sustainability, she helped create a law requiring attorneys to use recycled paper for pleadings. After leaving law, Kathy studied medicinal herbs in the Southwest and moved to Vashon in 1999, where she shared her herbal expertise at Minglement and taught at Bastyr. In 2010, she developed the TQI Diet (To Quiet Inflammation), which she continues to teach worldwide.
Kathy loves trees, enjoys drawing and embroidery, and has recently taken up tapestry weaving.
TRUSTEE
