Friends of Gladish Board of Directors

To contact our Board of Directors, email GladishBoard@GladishCommunity.org

David Harder - President and Director

David Harder grew up near a small agricultural community in eastern Washington. An early exposure to archaeology and his familiarity with land use issues instilled in him a curiosity regarding land use and subsistence in relation to time. This interest led to his undergraduate studies of archaeology, the pursuit, and completion of a Master of Arts degree in Anthropology; specializing in archaeology. His studies included emphasis in Columbia Plateau archaeology and prehistory with a focus on the lower Snake River. David has worked for more than twenty-five years as a professional archaeologist and chosen to pursue and specialize in the archaeology of the Columbia Plateau region. This has allowed him to follow his chosen profession while using his multi-faceted knowledge of the region. David currently lives in Pullman, Washington with his wife, Jenny. They are challenged to keep up with their three boys through Scouts, their high school and college pursuits, and other endeavors. David has been President of the Friends of Gladish Board of Directors since 2019.

Anna Grindeland - Secretary and Director

Anna Grindeland is a business owner and Pullman native, passionate about the historic preservation and future economic development of her home town. Anna received her education from the University of Idaho in Moscow and Boise, Idaho. She brings more than ten years of experience in healthcare and small business to the Friends of Gladish Board of Directors where she also serves as chair of the Human Resources Committee. Anna’s practice, Three Forks Nutrition works with individuals recovering from disordered eating and seeking a healthy relationship with food.

Melissa Solen - Treasurer and Director

Melissa Solen brings her love of numbers and enthusiasm for budgeting to the Friends of Gladish board from a local, Pullman accounting office where she is bookkeeper/office manager. She grew up just outside of Renton, Washington. Although she has called many places home as a military spouse, she and her family decided it was time to return to their roots in Washington. Melissa and her wife, Rebecca, have four children and three fur-babies. She likes to spend her free time gardening, biking, and being with those she loves most.

Mary Kittelson - Director

Mary Kittelson was born and raised in Spokane, WA and graduated from Ferris HS in 1968. She earned a BS Degree in Dental Hygiene in 1973 from Eastern Washington University. She was a state recording secretary for WSDHA for two years before moving to Pullman in 1978. Mary was active in the PTA at Sunnyside Elementary for many years until being appointed to the Pullman School Board in 1986, elected in 1988. She served twelve years and resigned in 2000. During her tenure on the school board, they remodeled Sunnyside and Jefferson Elementary schools, built the new Franklin Elementary, and worked to reuse the Pioneer Center for community interests. Gladish was sold during this time as well. Mary relocated to Palouse in 2000 and practiced dental hygiene for 23 years before working for WSU at the Institute of Biological Chemistry. She worked there for 22 years, retiring in 2017. Mary has been married for 52 years, raising three children in Pullman Schools. She has eight grandchildren, four of whom are still in the Pullman school system. Currently she is the treasurer for the Pullman Senior Center Association.

John Ayers - Director

John Ayers and his wife, Audrey, chose Pullman, Washington as their final retirement locale in June 2017, relocating from Lewiston, Idaho where they had lived since 2009. Prior to Lewiston, they lived in Anchorage, Alaska for more than thirty years. John retired as Chief Operating Officer of a large, publicly traded telecommunications firm after spending more than forty years as a senior manager in the telecommunications, information technology, and natural gas transmission industries. John explored his entrepreneurial side by starting two successful consulting/business incubation companies and by owning, operating, and selling a successful transportation and logistics firm. John is President of the Washington Idaho Symphony, past Vice-President of the Friends of Gladish Board of Directors and currently serves as co-chair of the Facilities Committee.