1-360-594-6004
Previously Lummi CDFI
Mission: "To provide access to education, financing, and asset growth,
in order to improve the prosperity and well-being of Native American families."
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Secretary
Secretary
Board Chair
Joseph D. Bowen, B.A., J.D.
Upper Skagit Tribe, Attorney in Private Practice
Mr. Bowen is a graduate of Harvard University (BA) and the University of Washington School of Law (JD) who has operated his own practice in Mount Vernon, since 1991. He is experienced in commercial practice, litigation, and Indian Law and has organized, advised, and has led a number of non-profit agencies in this area. Mr. Bowen lives in Mount Vernon with his wife, Lindsey and daughters Adia and Alexandra.
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A Few Highlighted Community Civic Activities:
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Skagit County, founding Board President
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United Way of Skagit County, Board
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Skagit Community Arts Theater, Board President and performer
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HonorWorks, Board Member, Vice-President (10-12)
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I Can Fly Productions – President (11-12)
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META – performer, Director, Producer, Vice president/Secretary, President (09 to present)
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Washington State Human Rights Commission, (96-00)
Vice Chair
Cindy Cultee, PhD in Advancement of Indigenous Knowledge, Awanuiarangi Indigenous University, New Zealand
Lummi Nation Member, Entrepreneur
Owner of Salish Solutions
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Her experience with program development along with education and training in research and evaluation methodologies prepared her to contribute to Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending's journey toward achieving their mission of improved prosperity and well-being of Native families.
As a new entrepreneur focused on developing expertise, while building her own business as a consultant for program development and training, she brings a personal understanding of the challenges faced when trying to create a firm foundation for a resilient small business structure. This experience has been elevated by drawing on her values of hard work, endurance, and honoring relationships. Being accountable and responsible to the people and the communities the business serves has contributed to establishing a firm footing for her business secured by confidence in her capabilities.
Her years of experience with the Lummi Indian Business Council and the Northwest Indian College establishes her ability to contribute to the PNTL team, develop relationships, and facilitate strategies that support goal attainment. She is exceptionally skilled with data analysis, outcome measurements, and understands our community’s cultural strengths as well as our need for education to inform our options for self-determined economic growth.
She is committed to educating herself about responsible fiscal management for small business and in the area of investments. It is important to her to utilize her knowledge to serve our Lummi community. These personal goals will contribute to PNTL's dedication to ensuring a prosperous future for this and our next generations.
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Secretary/Treasurer
​Rex Rhoades, BA
Quinault Tribal Member, Commercial Fisherman
Former LIBC Economic Development Director
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Mr. Rhoades is a member of the Quinault Indian Tribe, in Washington State. He was previously employed by the Small Businesses Assistance Center operated by Western Washington University. Previously, Mr. Rhoades was employed as the Economic Development Director of the Lummi Nation and lives proximate to the reservation in Bellingham. He has served in various capacities in Lummi Nation's Economic Development, working for the former Lummi Development Authority (in the early 2000's). He has been with the organization, since its inception and is committed to working with the target market, as an active board, loan committee member, and often finds time working for Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending clients that need his technical assistance, within his expertise in building boats and fisheries.
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He currently exercises his Quinault (Chinook) treaty rights through fisheries, where he owns and operates his own per-sane vessel. He harvests crab and fish from the area.
Wade Stringfield
VP, SBA Business Development Officer, Mountain Pacific Bank
Wade holds an MBA from the University of Oklahoma, and a BBA from Oklahoma Baptist University. He’s a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School and a 20-year banking veteran. He currently serves as a VP, SBA Business Development Officer for Mountain Pacific Bank. As a former small business owner and Certified Business Advisor for the Washington Small Business Development Center, he has a passion for financial literacy and improving access to capital for underserved markets. His civic activities include serving on the board of Ameritrust CDC and Roosevelt Community Church.
Board Member
John Michener, BA, CEcD
Economic Development Project Manager, Port of Bellingham
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John holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Washington and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). As an Economic Development Project Manager with the Port of Bellingham, John’s responsibilities include: Retention and Expansion, Recruitment/Attraction and working with local jurisdictions to ensure Whatcom County has the assets and capacity needed to meet its strategic goals. John also administers a federal loan program and the “Whatcom Prospector” real estate and demographic informational website.
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Prior to joining the Port, John held the position of Programs Manager at the Northwest Economic Council.
Board Member
Board Member
Elizabeth Solomon
​Deputy General Manager, Lummi Indian Business Council
Elizabeth Solomon brings deep experience in Native governance, finance, and education to the Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending Board. A lifelong resident of the Lummi Nation, Elizabeth currently serves as Deputy General Manager for the Lummi Indian Business Council (LIBC) and previously held roles as Tribal Administrator and Statistician. She has also worked in Donor Advancement and Foundation Relations for Northwest Indian College Foundation and began her journey with PNTL as a Loan Officer during its early days as Lummi CDFI.
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Elizabeth’s connection to PNTL runs deep. As a former small business owner who relied on loan support while attending college, she knows firsthand the value of access to financial tools tailored to Native communities. Her personal experience gives her insight into what entrepreneurs need—not just to launch, but to thrive.
For Elizabeth, economic empowerment in Indian Country is about sovereignty: “We are a sovereign nation, and we govern ourselves. When our small and large Native-owned businesses succeed, we bring income and stability back to our families and communities.” Her goal on the board is simple yet powerful: to help keep the vision of PNTL alive and expanding.
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Guided by the values passed down through her family and community, Elizabeth’s leadership is grounded in respect, resilience, and reciprocity. She carries the wisdom of her elders, the lessons of canoe journeys, and the strength of her Lummi language—sileng kwen kwem, or “standing strong.”
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She finds joy in supporting growth, even behind the scenes. From raising scholarship funds through NWIC Foundation’s tlaneq gala to organizing with purpose and precision in her professional life, Elizabeth remains dedicated to building Indigenous wealth and opportunity. She’s quiet, thoughtful, deadline-driven, and visionary—listening closely, acting with intention, and always focused on helping her community move forward.
Board Member
Quintina Bowen
​Director of Health, Samish Indian Nation
Quintina Bowen is an articulate and accomplished executive administrator with a deep commitment to Indigenous leadership, wellness, and sovereignty. As Director of Health Services for the Samish Indian Nation, she brings decades of experience in tribal governance, health systems, and culturally grounded leadership to the Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending Board of Directors.
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She also serves as a delegate to both the American Indian Health Commission and the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, where she advocates for policy and legislation that center the needs of tribal nations and protect the right to self-determined health care systems.
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Quintina’s professional background spans intergovernmental relations, strategic planning, and operational systems design. She is a trusted connector and systems thinker who excels at aligning tribal priorities with federal and state frameworks—always with a focus on creating culturally safe, inclusive, and accountable environments.
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Her commitment to service is personal as well as professional. Born into a family rooted in leadership and care, Quintina draws strength from the matriarchs, elders, and everyday acts of community support that shaped her. Her values are reflected in every initiative she leads—especially those that ensure tribal citizens are treated with dignity, even in times of crisis.
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One of her most meaningful projects was launching a culturally rooted wellness program for tribal members, combining traditional foods, movement, and modern health education.
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“It wasn’t just about physical health—it was about reconnecting to culture, supporting mental wellness, and creating space for community healing. Seeing elders and youth come together made it truly powerful.”
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Her educational achievements include an Associate of Arts and Sciences in Tribal and Public Administration, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Tribal Governance and Business Management, and a Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma.
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As a board member, Quintina works to ensure PNTL’s services are accessible, trust-centered, and reflective of our shared cultural values. Her goal is to help build financial systems that truly serve the people—and restore self-determination through economic empowerment.
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“We don’t measure wealth in dollars—we measure it in relationships, responsibility, and what we leave behind for future generations.”
Angel Jefferson
​Northwest Indian College
Come back soon...we're working on her bio.
Board Member