About

Thomas Dashiell is a business and real estate attorney at the law firm of Davies Pearson, P.C. in Tacoma. Thomas has been serving on The First Tee Board since 2016. Thomas has played golf since he was a child and loves not only the game, but the qualities and characteristics it instills in the youth, such as honesty and integrity. One of The First Tee’s goals of providing access to the game of golf for children who would not otherwise be afforded the opportunity to play is one of the driving forces Thomas had for joining The First Tee of South Puget Sound.

Chandler Hueckel is a Director of Client Services and Financing Specialist at Private Practice Transitions in Tacoma. He grew up in Olympia, Washington and has always enjoyed playing golf with family and friends. Chandler has had a passion for many different sports throughout his life, and recognizes the daily life lessons they teach kids. He has been on the board at The First Tee of South Puget Sound since 2016, and has enjoyed helping the organization continue to flourish and serve kids by providing access to such a wonderful game.

Steve O’Brien is a life long resident of Tacoma and is President of Puget Sound Beverage Service. He enjoys working with kids, and has been a Washington Junior Golf Association Rules Official, a ski instructor, and a junior basketball coach. In addition to serving on The First Tee of South Puget Sound Board since 2017, Steve fulfills his desire to work with kids by serving as a First Tee coach. Steve not only impacts the youth through his board participation, but has a direct impact on them as a coach at various different programming locations.

Russ Olsen is currently the Executive Director of the Washington State Pollution Liability Insurance Agency. His past 20 years of public service has focused upon balancing the needs of economic development while protecting our valuable natural resources. Russ has a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Martin’s University and a Masters of Public Administration degree from Seattle University. Russ played golf for Saint Martin’s College and currently is the Director of Instruction at Tumwater and Mint Valley Golf Courses. Russ joined The First Tee of South Puget Sound as a coach in 2015 and joined the Board of Directors in 2018.

Jared Postlethwaite is a CPA manager with Rettig Flyte Company who specializes in audit services. His expertise extends beyond the Affordable Housing industry to include closely held businesses, retirement plans, and non-profit organizations. Outside of the office he enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, two of which have been participants in The First Tee of South Puget Sound for over a year. Jared loved the golf skills and live values his own children gained from The First Tee and hopes to continue the organization’s growth within the community.

Michelle Roberts has been employed by Lemay Mobile Shredding as Director of Marketing and Sales for the past 15 years. She has served on The First Tee of South Puget Sound board since 2017, and is a member of the Harbottle Golf Classic committee. The Harbottle Golf Classic is a fundraiser event for The First Tee of South Puget Sound held in September to raise funds for the Youth Scholarship Fund. She loves to play golf and shares the Nine Core Values with others in her community to expand the values The First Tee instills in their participants.

Lee Rushton owns and operates the local Real Property Management Franchise in Puyallup, Washington. He has spent every waking moment focused on Property Management for the past 10 years. Being a landlord himself, he can empathize and understand any situation that any landlord has been in or will be in. He looks forward to each and every challenge that opposes his team in any way. In his time away from the office, he enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife and their four kids, taking care of his small farm (29 animals), and a competitive round of golf.

Dalton Thacker is a business transactional and employee benefits attorney at the law firm of Eisenhower Carlson PLLC in Tacoma. Dalton joined the First Tee Board in January of 2020. As a previous college athlete, Dalton was initially drawn to First Tee because of its focus on instilling core values of character and perseverance into the lives of youth – which he saw first-hand while volunteering at the First Tee’s PLAYer program at Chambers Bay. What led Dalton to eventually join the Board was his desire to further one of First Tee’s missions of bringing golf to kids of all backgrounds, cultures, and economic statuses.

Jason Wing joined The First Tee of South Puget Sound’s board in April 2016 and currently serves as the Governance Chair. His professional career began as a lieutenant in the US Army stationed in Germany over 25 years ago, and he continues to serve in the Army Reserves today. Jason currently works for Starbucks as a District Manager in the local area and is proud to call Tacoma his home. With his wife Jennifer, they have two children, Claire and Brandon, who stay very busy at school and on the soccer fields and golf courses. Jason’s passion for golf and kids is why he serves as board member at The First Tee of South Puget Sound.