Planning Commission

Rodney Rutherford, Chair, Rose Hill Neighborhood

Rodney joined the planning commission in October 2019. He has resided in Kirkland’s Rose Hill with his wife and two kids since 2008, and has always lived within four miles of Lake Washington.

Rodney loves to learn how we can enable small incremental changes in every neighborhood to address the multi-faceted challenges of our city. Since moving to Rose Hill, he has served on his neighborhood association board for eight years, represented neighborhoods on Kirkland’s Housing Strategy Plan Advisory Group in 2017, and influenced the update of neighborhood plans in 2018. While living in Seattle in the mid-2000s, struck by the frustrations of commuters stuck in traffic, he previously volunteered on projects that would ensure easier mobility for all, most notably serving with the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board.

Rodney volunteers as a weekly host at the Safe Parking Program in his neighborhood, providing homeless women and families a safe place to sleep in their cars, since 2013. This experience has inspired him to raise awareness of housing models that can better meet the changing needs of our community. To this end, Rodney co-founded Liveable Kirkland to collaboratively envision places for everyone in our community, while also advancing the sustainability and quality of our neighborhoods.

Rodney has worked at Google Kirkland as a systems engineer since 2007. Outside work, Rodney loves to learn about the systems that shape our community. To deepen his knowledge and broaden his perspective, he reads the works of authors such as Jeff Speck, Jane Jacobs, Alain Bertaud, and Andrew Heben, as well as research from organizations like Sightline Institute and Strong Towns.

Scott Reusser, Highlands Neighborhood

Joined the Kirkland Planning Commission effective April 1, 2019. He previously served for eight years on the Design Review Board from 2010 - 2018.

Seattle native, grew up in Shoreline and attended Kings Highschool. Studied Business Administration and Landscape Architecture at the University of Washington. Graduated from the University of Washington Foster School of Business with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree. He purchased his first home in Kirkland in 1990, and is a 30-year resident of the Kirkland Highlands Neighborhood. Scott has been the owner and operator of a local landscape, construction and nursery since 1984, and has worked on projects throughout Kirkland and the Northwest.

Scott served on the Kirkland Design Review board for eight years prior to being on the Kirkland Planning Commission and helped review large projects from the new Kirkland Urban project to the Totem Lake Mall project.

Currently, Scott is a figure skating instructor with the Kirkland Parks Department's "Learn to Skate" program at the Kingsgate SnoKing Ice Arena.

Angela Rozmyn, Finn Hill Neighborhood

Angela was born in Kirkland and is a graduate of the Lake Washington School District public schools. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Willamette University and a graduate certificate in Sustainable Built Environment. As a former park ranger and current builder of affordable housing, her lifelong passion is in creating sustainable, affordable, livable communities and making an impact on her local city. She lives with her husband and son in the Finn Hill Neighborhood.

Aaron Jacobson, Lakeview Neighborhood

Aaron Jacobson joined the planning commission in December 2023. He has served as the Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods Representative for the Lakeview Neighborhood Association, Co-Chair of the Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods, as well as Vice Chair of the ARCH Community Advisory Board.

Aaron has a BA in Law, Economics, and Public Policy and BS in Computer Science and Software Engineering from UW-Bothell as well as a MS in Data Science from UW. Aaron currently works as a Data Scientist at a real estate start up and has previously worked at Microsoft and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

A renter, Aaron is focused on easing the cost of living.

Gina Madeya, Highlands Neighborhood

Gina Madeya has been a proud Kirkland resident for 13 years. Immediately after receiving her graduate degree, she began a 20-year career at JPMorgan Chase, holding various roles in HR, Training, and Leadership Development before being recruited by Microsoft and to Kirkland which she now proudly calls home. Since 2015, Gina has been a practicing REALTOR®, deeply aware of the housing affordability challenges that many face in trying to call Kirkland home. Previously serving as Vice President of Governmental & Public Affairs for Seattle King County Realtors, Gina gained valuable insight into policies and proposals aimed at addressing regional growth. She currently serves on the Washington Realtors Legislative Steering Committee, advocating for legislation to protect and advance property rights. In this role, she engages with state and local representatives, as well as community experts, to discuss ways to increase affordable housing, support small businesses, and create more accessible and sustainable communities.

Gina brings a unique perspective on the intersection of real estate, policy, and community development. She also serves on the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Board of Directors, helping to shape industry standards nationally. As a Federal Political Coordinator to Senator Maria Cantwell, she participates in key federal housing discussions, ensuring that more people have access to the homes, neighborhoods and communities they deserve. Additionally, Gina works with NAR's Housing Opportunities Committee to champion affordable housing solutions both in Kirkland and nationwide.

A proud member of the LGBTQ Real Estate Alliance, Gina advocates for better representation and access to homeownership for marginalized communities. She has served on the Board of Directors for Alpha Supported Living Services since 2019, a nonprofit supporting adults and children with developmental disabilities in King, Snohomish, and Spokane counties. Gina is a mother of two, including her son Blaine, who lives in Norkirk. She and her wife, along with their Schnauzer, reside in Kirkland's Highlands neighborhood.

Justin Robbins, Kingsgate Neighborhood

Justin is a dedicated real estate professional with over a decade of experience serving the Pacific Northwest. After relocating from Southern California more than twenty years ago, Justin graduated from the University of Washington and established roots in Kirkland, where he has lived for 11 years, currently residing in the Kingsgate neighborhood.

As a licensed Real Estate Broker, Justin is passionate about housing affordability and sustainability, advocating for solutions that benefit the community. This dedication is reflected in his service as a member of the ARCH Community Advisory Board. Beyond real estate, Justin contributes to the community as a youth sports coach, fostering teamwork and development in young athletes.

In his free time, Justin enjoys cooking, reading, playing golf, cheering on Husky Football, and spending quality time with his wife and three children.

Justin is committed to making a positive impact in both the real estate market and the broader community.

(Coming Soon)