Board of Directors
Elected Official Representatives
Jim Detro, County Commissioner
Chris Branch, County Commissioner
Andy Hover, County Commissioner
Carlene Anders, Mayor – City of Pateros
Cindy Gagne, Mayor – City of Omak, Board President
Private Representatives
Gordon Kyle
Debra Clark, Board Secretary
Carolbelle Branch
Client Representatives
Earl Patterson, Board Vice President
Aprile Patterson
OCCAC is currently seeking new members to serve on our Board of Directors. If you are interested in applying for a Board position, please fill out the Board Member Application below and email to Lael Duncan at laeld@occac.com or mail to P.O. Box 1067 Okanogan WA 98840 Attn: Lael D.
Executive Leadership
Lael Duncan, Executive Director
Lael Duncan has served as OCCAC’s Executive Director since 2002. Previously she served as the Executive Director of the Washington State Lenders Network and the North Central Washington Business Loan Fund. Prior to entering the world of non-profit organizations, Lael’s career included Property and Casualty Insurance sales, Real Estate Sales and Financing, Real Estate Development, Organic Farming, Publishing, and volunteer advocacy for Share our Strength as the statewide coordinator of the Writers Harvest events. Lael was born and raised in Seattle, attended the University of Washington and has earned the National Development Council designation of Economic Development Finance Professional. For 30 years, she has lived in Okanogan County and dedicated herself to giving back to the Okanogan economy and its people. While Executive Director at OCCAC, Lael was appointed by Governor Inslee to the State Advisory Council on Homelessness, was a Hospital Commissioner for North Valley Hospital, and has served as President and Board member of the Washington State Coalition for the Homeless, The Support Center, The Economic Alliance, and the Washington State Community Action Partnership. Lael is also a member of the Okanogan Omak Rotary club.
Jessica Blake, Finance & Administration Director