The IPRTF is a coalition of community members, service providers, elected officials, and law enforcement working together since 2015 to transform Whatcom County's approach to criminal justice and public safety by increasing resources to address underlying causes of incarceration in order to lead people out of the criminal legal system and into supportive services, reducing the chances of re-incarceration.

The Task Force is made up of 30 members. Appointed members serve 4-year terms. If you are interested in becoming a Task Force member, click here for more information.

Many of the Task Force Members are also members of the Task Force subcommittees.

Contact the Task Force: Jill Nixon | Email | 360-778-5010
Whatcom County Council Office
311 Grand Ave., Suite 105, Bellingham, WA 98225

Members Appointed by the Whatcom County Council:

• Stephen Gockley - Task Force Co-Chair, Health and Social Services
• Greg Winter, Health and Social Services
• Jenn Lockwood, Health and Social Services
• Jason McGill, Health and Social Services
• Jack Hovenier - Task Force Co-Chair, Consumer of services or family member of consumer
• Deborah Hawley, Consumer of services or family member of consumer
• Heather Flaherty, Concerned citizen
• Arlene Feld, Concerned citizen

Permanent Committee Members:

• Satpal Sidhu, County Executive 
• Barry Buchanan, County Councilmember
• Bill Elfo, County Sheriff/Jail Administrator
• Eric Richey, Prosecuting Attorney
• Maia Vanyo, Chief Deputy Public Defender 
• David Freeman, Superior Court Judge
• Dave Reynolds, Juvenile Court Administrator/Superior Court Clerk
• Bruce Van Glubt, District Court Administrator
• Perry Mowery, Health Department, Human Services Division Supervisor
• Daniel Hammill, Bellingham City Council Member
• Seth Fleetwood, Bellingham Mayor
• Rebecca Mertzig, Bellingham Police Chief 
• Darlene Peterson, Bellingham Municipal Court Administrator
• Scott Korthuis, Lynden City Mayor
• To be determined, Small City Council Member
• Donnell Tanksley, Small City Police Chief
• Raylene King, Blaine Court Administrator, Small Cities Municipal Court representative
• Undesignated, Lummi Business Council Member
• Undesignated, Nooksack Tribe
• Undesignated, Peace Health St. Joseph's Medical Center representative 
• Mike Hilley, Whatcom County EMS Manager, Emergency medical services (EMS) representative
• Eric Petersen, Representative of the Secretary of the Washington State Department of Corrections