Blue Mountain Humane Society elects new board members, postpones annual meeting

WALLA WALLA-Joel Christiansen and Julian Saturno have been elected to the Board of Directors for Blue Mountain Humane Society, despite the indefinite postponement of the annual membership meeting which had been scheduled for Monday, April 27 at 7 E. George Street in Walla Walla. The postponement is in adherence with Governor Inslee's Stay Home, Stay Healthy order.

Joel Christiansen moved to Walla Walla from Portland, OR in July 2018. Joel lives with his partner, Dr. Sarah Carter, and their two rescue dogs, Milo and Gus. Joel has been an employment attorney for 12 years and is currently a partner at Vogele & Christiansen in Northwest Portland working remotely from an office on Main Street in Walla Walla.

Julian Saturno is a sixth generation Walla Walla native. Julian studied Graphic Design at Southern Adventist University while working at his family's business. Gaining knowledge and experience in corporate America, Julian chose to return to Walla Walla. He is currently a freelance graphic designer and works with his family's business managing real estate and agriculture.

Current Directors Tammie Buchanan-Herron, Tami Stapleton and Jayne McCarthy were elected to serve additional terms on the agency's Board of Directors. The agency's by-laws allow for Board member elections provided the membership is given an opportunity to vote to ratify elections at a later date.

Plans to reschedule the annual meeting will be shared with its members and on Blue Mountain Humane Society's Facebook page. Members of the Society are encouraged to attend the annual meeting to engage with the Board to help shape the future efforts of the agency, and to support the election of Board members who govern the Society and provide direction as new programs and services are developed to meet its mission.