Board of Directors

Peter Quinn

President of Board

Peter Quinn was the founding CEO of Quimper Mercantile and served as board president for its first eleven years. His 45 year career was primarily in start-ups, most notably as founding CEO of Meteor Mobile Communications in Ireland as well as other senior level positions in wireless telecommunications. Peter helped his wife, Anna found the Writers' Workshoppe and Imprint Books in Port Townsend, selling it in 2019 to concentrate solely on their writing. His second book of poetry will be published in March of 2023 and his novel; Lady, Lucifer and Coward is almost ready for submission.

SHELDON SPENCER

Vice President

Sheldon and his wife Sandy owned and operated retail businesses in California and Port Townsend. Sheldon was the General Manager of Quimper Mercantile for its first 5 years of operations, and has been a Board member since 2012. He is currently serving as Board President. Sheldon enjoys walking with this dog, cycling, and traveling as well as community service, and reports that being part of the growth and success of our community owned Mercantile is a fascinating and rewarding experience.

DEBORAH STINSON

Treasurer/Secretary

The palpable sense of community in Port Townsend called out in the early 2000’s as I wrapped up a multi-faceted career in information technology. After settling here with my husband and near-by parents, I set about seeking what’s next. A WSU course for entrepreneurs gave me a good sense for what it takes for success in business while teaching me the venture I had in mind was not the right thing at the time. My entrepreneurial spirit and desire for community led to facilitating the startup of Local 20/20, which in turn led to participating in the startup of Neighborhood Preparedness and Local Investing Opportunities Network (LION) – two initiatives where I continue to volunteer. My role in LION brought me to the table where I got to help create our own community-owned general store! It remains an honor to serve on the QMC Board, now in the position of Secretary/Treasurer.

CASEY HANNAM

General Manager

I was born in Oregon, but grew up in Port Angeles, and have spent the majority of my life living on the North Olympic Peninsula. After managing a BBQ Restaurant/Cold Deli in San Antonio, Texas, I moved with my wife Sarah back to Washington to settle down and begin our family. In 2019, I was hired by Quimper Mercantile to become the store’s Assistant Manager. After a quick two years, I was given the much appreciated opportunity to flex my skills as the new General Manager of the store.I look forward to continuing to bring Port Townsend the products and outstanding customer service they truly deserve.

TIM WHYTE

After 4 relocations between San Diego and Chicago we decided that Port Townsend would be a much nicer place to live. After trading for 25 years on the Chicago Board of Trade commodity exchange, I've had exposure to a number of different entrepreneurial businesses and decided to jump at the chance to start a mercantile business here in Port Townsend. As one of the original board of director members I've seen this develop from scratch. Our business plan was to build something where the community would be excited to shop.

 It's amazing that we have grown as quickly as we have. Our employees have worked diligently to make this a great environment.

CANDICE COTTERILL

I am a class of 2000 Port Townsend graduate. Growing up here in PT and now raising my son in Jefferson County really got me involved in our Community. Being involved on 5 Boards currently from President of East Jefferson Little League, Treasurer of Chimacum Big Blue Boosters & Development Committee for The Benji Project, youth of our Community is just one of my passions. Being on the Quimper Mercantile board has been so rewarding, I feel like I am truly helping our Community in a whole other way. I worked in this very location for Sprouse then Swain's when in High School, now I am the Branch Manager at our local First Fed and have been in Community Banking for over 25 years, I strive to build lasting relationships in our great County. 

Dominic Svornich

Dominic Svornich has called Jefferson County home since 2002, and has been a Pacific Northwest resident for life. Over the last two decades, Dominic has built an extensive career in finance, which includes experience in retail banking, both frontline and management; personal finance; consumer, mortgage and small business lending; non-profit directorship and consulting; and independent real estate and financial consulting.

Dominic is a lifelong musician and owns Salish Sound, a cooperative recording studio and production company based in Port Hadlock, Washington, offering audio engineering, event planning and production, live sound reinforcement, music production, and promotional services with a team of established audio professionals. Dominic also serves on the board of the Quimper Mercantile Company in Port Townsend, and on myriad committees and task forces for housing initiatives and other area concerns and programs on the Quimper Peninsula. Dominic has served on the boards of KPTZ Radio Port Townsend, Jefferson Community School, Olympic Peninsula Steam, the Port Townsend Creative District, and for the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, and the Port Townsend Main Street Program, for whom he had the honor of co-founding the beloved Port Townsend Concerts on the Dock series, of which he has served as Programming Director since 2011.

Dominic lives in Port Townsend with his wife Stephanie and their cat Chowder.

LeAnne Ryweck

I am a retired Starbucks Coffee Company sales professional. During my career there, I held

a variety of national sales positions responsible for account management and sales growth.

I retired 7 years ago. I have been on Quimper board for over 3 years. I find it rewarding to

be involved with a business with such a unique financial model and that’s mission to support

the community is fully embraced. Like many of you in the community I love the natural

beauty we are surrounded by and am happy to be living in Jefferson County.

Ben Bauermeister

Ben spent the first part of his career in art, producing commercial pen and ink illustrations and even a postcard company. Later his pursuits took him into typography, which led to software, which led to a variety of technical startups and larger corporate gigs. Upon arriving in Port Townsend twenty years ago his efforts turned to community action, specifically co-founding StrongerTowns with Martha Trolin. Together they have built a community serving institution that provides fiscal sponsorship to innovative solutions to rural problems. Eventually he will look beyond these efforts and probably return to his roots, drawing and painting when not fiddling or biking.

Heather Harbin

Local business owner of Mo-Chilli BBQ since 2015. Former QMC receiving agent. Spent 16 years in the Insurance Industry, with Progressive, Travelers, and Farmers Insurance. Grew up in PT and a University of Washington graduate.

TIM WHYTE

After 4 relocations between San Diego and Chicago we decided that Port Townsend would be a much nicer place to live. After trading for 25 years on the Chicago Board of Trade commodity exchange, I've had exposure to a number of different entrepreneurial businesses and decided to jump at the chance to start a mercantile business here in Port Townsend. As one of the original board of director members I've seen this develop from scratch. Our business plan was to build something where the community would be excited to shop.

 It's amazing that we have grown as quickly as we have. Our employees have worked diligently to make this a great environment.