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Mike was raised in California, served 2 years as a Navy helicopter crewman and then earned a BA in biology and a PhD in vertebrate zoology.  After 8 years as an associate professor of biology at the University of the Pacific, Mike went to Alaska, where he was a research supervisor, biologist, and aquaculture coordinator for the state. Upon retirement, Mike lived on a boat for several years, chartering to photographers, and providing a floating classroom.  Mikes wintering in Friday Harbor soon turned into permanent residence and for the past 20 years, Mike has been a rockfish consultant, conducted eelgrass SCUBA surveys, taught at Skagit Valley College, and served on various local boards and committees.  Mike is currently taking care of the Spring Street Aquarium, working to reduce toxins in the waters of Friday Harbor and writing.

Sans interest is in maintaining both the quality of rural life in the San Juans and protecting our magnificent maritime environment. San has been a dairy farmer, a naval officer, and practiced small animal medicine in Boston and Seattle for 33 years.  He was actively involved in the FRIENDS of Barlow Bays efforts to oppose a large marina.  He is also currently vice president of the Catherine Washburn Memorial Association (owner of the Lopez Medical Clinic).

Bill Watson was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated from Ohio State University in 1979 with a BS in computer science.  Bill began his software career in 1977 at Chemical Abstracts while finishing school and moved to silicon valley CA in 1979.  In 1988, Bill moved his family to Redmond Washington and worked for several companies in roles from Software Engineer, Program Manager, Business Unit Manager, and VP of Engineering.   Bill has been visiting the San Juan Islands since 1988 with his family, enjoying camping, hiking and sea kayaking.  Bill also owned property on San Juan Island from 2003 to 2005.  Bill moved to Friday Harbor in October, 2006 and serves on the boards of the Seattle Meditation Center, the SJI Agricultural Guild, and Leadership San Juans.

George was raised in Bellingham, and spent 10 years as a commercial salmon fisherman in the San Juans and in Alaska.  He was introduced to the islands as a small child as a frequent passenger on the mail boat "Osage".  George was ordained and served as pastor for churches in New England and Washington State, including the Lopez Congregational church.  Through his experiences in the ministry and chaplaincy, he gained an understanding of the importance of dealing with the whole person.  George is a resident of Lopez Island.

Janet spent 27 years as a research biologist at the University of California, Berkeley before retiring to Orcas Island. She loves hiking, native plants, and gardening. On her 5 rocky, dry acres in Deer Harbor, Janet is working to remove invasive plants such as Canada thistle and scotch broom, thinning the native shrubs to reduce fire danger, and selectively pulling alien grasses to encourage the native grasses, wild flowers, ferns, and mosses. Janet proudly supports the research and public education activities of the FRIENDS that are helping to protect our fresh and salt-water resources and the web of life that they sustain.

Vivien is a west coast native. She has lived on San Juan Island for 20 years, and recently sold Dolphin Arts - Cotton Cotton Cotton, a retail shop in Friday Harbor. Her two daughters and their families also reside on San Juan Island.  Viviens career has centered around art, advertising and public relations. Her hobbies include, painting, yoga, sailing, kayaking, gardening, walking, writing poetry, and cross country skiing. Vivien has been a volunteer for FRIENDS for many years.

Farouk is a Professor Emeritus of Whole Systems Design Graduate Program, Center for Creative Change at Antioch University Seattle, and a visiting Faculty at Seattle University where he continues to teach design for meaningful social and cultural change.  He has taught, published, and presented his work internationally, urging reinterpretation of ancient wisdom for thoughtful reflections on contemporary life.  Farouk is the Chairman of the Eagle Lake Design Review Committee on Orcas Island, and previously served on the Redmond Planning Commission.  Prior to becoming an American citizen, Farouk was born and raised in Egypt with a Coptic background, a descendent of ancient Egyptians.  He is the founder and director of Isis Institute where he leads the cross-cultural program in Egypt: Journey into the Dawn of Time.