Contact Us

360.489.3641

Joel Aune
Executive Director
360.489.3651
Joel has been with WASA since 2018. Prior to accepting the position of Executive Director with WASA, Joel served as Superintendent for 20 years in the Snoqualmie Valley and Colfax School Districts. He also previously served as an elementary principal in the Walla Walla School District and as an assistant principal and teacher in the Cashmere School District, where he began his career in 1983. In 2011, Joel was elected WASA President.


Dominique Wilson
Executive Assistant
Dominique joined the WASA team in September 2024, after serving as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Liaison for the Tumwater School District. With a deep passion for public education and excellent interpersonal skills, Dominique offers extensive experience in providing comprehensive system support.



Bella Troiani
Website, Communication, and Production Assistant
360.625.5481
Bella joined the WASA team in October 2021. Prior to joining WASA, Bella had several years of experience with Washington State University and Washington State RCW. View Bella's Staff Spotlight.

Professional Learning (Conferences) & Membership
360.489.3640

Shawn Batstone
Assistant Executive Director of Professional Learning & Membership
360.790.4130

Shawn joined the WASA Staff in July 2024 after serving as Assistant Superintendent in the Tumwater School District since 2019. Prior to that, Shawn was superintendent for seven years in the Hood Canal School District. His leadership background also includes time as Director of Teaching and Learning in the Yelm Community Schools, and experience as a principal.

Kim Fry
Assistant Executive Director of Learning Innovation and AI
360.239.6225
Kim brings 32 years of experience in education to WASA, most recently 12 years as superintendent of the Rochester School District. During the course of her career, Kim served as a first grade teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent. Kim started at WASA on July 1, 2022. View Kim's Staff Spotlight.


Ryan Hickerson
Professional Learning Assistant
360.742.6439
Ryan joined the WASA staff in August 2023. Ryan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education, after which he proudly served in the U.S. Navy as a Training Program Manager for five years. View Ryan's Staff Spotlight.


Beau Wilson
Professional Learning and Innovation Assistant
360.701.5101
Beau joined the WASA team in August 2024 after serving as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Liaison for the Tumwater School District. Beau brings extensive experience in providing comprehensive support across all levels of K–12 public education, working effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, from superintendents and administrative leaders to students and their families.

Government Relations
360.489.3642

Dan Steele
Assistant Executive Director of Government Relations
360.489.3652
Dan has served as WASA’s Governmental Relations lead since 2011. He has many years of varied legislative experience, including service as the executive director of the Washington Student Lobby, a statewide organization that advocates on behalf of Washington's public university students, and as a legislative assistant with the Washington State Senate. Prior to joining WASA, Dan served the state's locally elected school board members for over 13 years with the Washington State School Directors' Association. View Dan's Staff Spotlight here. 


Heather Chard
Administrative Assistant
360.489.3642
Heather joined WASA in November 2023, and comes to us most recently from Nisqually Red Wind Casino, where she worked as a Service & Training Coordinator, an Advertising Coordinator, and a Graphic Designer. She has extensive experience in graphic arts and digital content in addition to considerable experience as an administrative assistant. View Heather's Staff Spotlight.

Member Services & Administrative Operations
360.489.3646

Tim Garchow
Assistant Executive Director of Member Services
360.489.3646
Tim joined WASA in July 2024, after serving for eight years as Executive Director of the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA).


Natalie Plott
Office Assistant
Natalie joined the WASA staff in September 2023. She earned her Associate’s Degree in 2014 and worked as a Resource Paraprofessional for six years in the Olympia School District. View Natalie's Staff Spotlight.

Accounting
360.489.3643

Eve Johnson
Business and Infrastructure Manager
360.489.3643
Eve has capably served at WASA for over 35 years, since joining the staff in 1985. View Eve's Staff Spotlight. 


Kaley VonVolkli
Accounting Assistant
360.489.3644
Kaley started at WASA in March 2022. Prior to coming to WASA, Kaley worked as an Accounting and Card Servicing Specialist. She graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in June 2022. View Kaley's Staff Spotlight.