Meet Our
Management Team
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Amadeo
Tiam, |
Amadeo Tiam has served as SPIPA's Executive Director for nine years (1990-1994 and 1999 to present). He directs the Agency's programs and fiscal operations.
Amadeo has extensive experience in management, marketing, public relations, grant writing and fundraising, as well as experience in teaching, counseling and writing.He worked as a Public Health Manager for the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. His duties included: managing child health, environmental health, substance-abuse treatment and disease prevention services.
Amadeo graduated in 1979 from Pacific Lutheran University with an M.A.Ed. (Guidance and Counseling), received a B.A. (Classics/Philosophy) and Ph.L. (Licentiate in Philosophy) from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines. He has nearly finished the course work for a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Seattle University.
He's a member of the Gaddang Tribe in Northern Luzon, Philippines. He is fluent in English, Gaddang, Tagalog, Ilocano and somewhat conversant in Spanish. You may reach Amadeo Tiam at our administrative office: (360) 462-3200, or toll free at (800) 924-3984, extension 3200.
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Sandy
Cole, |
Sandy Cole returned to SPIPA as the Manager of Fiscal and Administrative Services. She had worked in this same position from the early 1980s until 1998.
Sandy's staff includes: Jan Bryant (Senior Accountant), Janeal Meyer (Payroll Clerk), Sara Doran (Grants and Contracts Accountant), Sandy Getty (Accounts Payable Clerk), Nancy Graham (Accounts Receivable Accountant), Janeal Meyer (Payroll Clerk), and Darla Strate (TANF Accounts payable). Our Executive Administrative Assistant is Terri Flowers and she supervises the administrative staff.
Sandy earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from a renowned university – Cal Poly/Pomona – and was one of the early female graduates. The college had been all-male. She also completed some graduate level work at Cal State/Fullerton. You may reach Sandy Cole at our administrative office: (360) 462-3201, or toll free at (800) 924-3984, extension 3201.
Gwen Gua is at the Helm of the SPIPA Social Services Dept.
Gwen Gua (Colville) recently joined
SPIPA Social Services. Gwen worked for 34 years for the State of Washington in a number of positionsShe most recently worked at the Dept. of Social and Health Services (DSHS) headquarters in Olympia where she moved up from her role as a Social Worker to a Supervisor. She then served as a policy-level Director at the Children’s Administration’s Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Program.
Her state service also included 10 years as the Director of Indian Policy and Support Services, spanning seven DSHS administrations, with budgets of millions. Prior to working in Olympia, Gwen worked for five-years on loan to the Colville Tribe to develop their ICW Program. And she has five years of experience with the Omak School district.
Gwen was attracted to working for SPIPA and the tribes in this area. She says, “The SPIPA tribes were so welcoming to me when I came to the west side of the mountains in 1989. At that time there were nine tribes in the SPIPA consortium. I have always enjoyed the support and encouragement of the SPIPA tribes; it is a good time to return the many kindnesses I have received.” Having worked closely with SPIPA since 1989 she says, “In a sense this is like coming home.”
You may reach Gwen Gua, or any of our social services staff, by calling our administrative office: (360) 462-3215, or toll free at (800) 924-3984 and asking for Gwen.
