At their Jan. 14 meeting, the Board of Park Commissioners of Metro Parks Tacoma elected Ross Hjelseth to serve as president for 2002.
Hjelseth, a Tacoma resident for 17 years, is starting his fifth of a six-year term on the Board. This is his first political office.
He believes in collaboration and looks to carry on with a regional approach to facilities and programs and feels that “by working with the city, county, school district and other organizations, all parties can make the best use of their resources.”
“We need to look at what citizens need and desire at the same time we must be sure we can provide adequate mainten-ance support for all facilities and programs,” he added.
Hjelseth is head master at Life Christian School. Since starting there in 1993, he was able to successfully add a high school to their kindergarten through eighth grade program.
Prior to that he was the head football coach at the University of Puget Sound.
He has a degree in business and physical education.
“I believe there is the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all ages through recreation,” Hjelseth said.