John Drake
John is a litigation attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, where he handles a broad range of civil cases. John joined the Spokane HOPE Board of Directors in 2017, shortly after the birth of his first child. Seven years and another child later, he remains passionate about helping deaf and hard-of-hearing children reach their full potential through speech and language immersion. When not at the office or Spokane HOPE, John enjoys fly fishing, playing golf, and spending time with his loving family.
Courtney Stolp
Courtney Stolp is the Human Resources Director for PotlatchDeltic based out of their corporate office in Spokane, WA. She has a degree in Human Resources and Business Management from Washington State University and over 20 years of experience in her field. Her areas of expertise are recruiting, employee engagement, training, and development. Courtney lives with her husband and two sons on their family farm thirty miles west of Spokane.
Matt Hoag
Matt Hoag joined the Spokane HOPE board of directors in 2025. He is an Associate Professor of Accounting at Gonzaga University where he teaches a range of classes with an emphasis on auditing, data analysis, financial reporting and financial accounting. Dr. Hoag graduated from Gonzaga University with a BBA in Accounting and subsequently worked for three years with KPMG, LLP, a large public accounting and professional services firm, in the Seattle office. In 2010, he obtained his PhD from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Prior to his current role at Gonzaga, Dr. Hoag was on the faculty at California State University, Sacramento. He and his wife live in Spokane with their three kids, one of whom is a proud Spokane HOPE graduate.
Cindy Bishop
Cindy is a happily retired Registered Nurse with over 22 years of service at Providence, where she held various leadership roles. As the proud mother of an adult son who is deaf and uses bilateral cochlear implants, she brings a personal passion for supporting children with hearing loss. Recruited to Spokane HOPE by a former audiologist at Spokane ENT, she has proudly served on the board for 17 years. Her dedication stems from a deep belief in HOPE’s mission to equip children with the ability to listen and use their voices, empowering them to fully engage in all of life’s opportunities.
Frank Cervantes
Frank is a project management professional with over 15 years of international experience in leading cross-functional teams at companies like Pearson Packaging Systems, Spiceology, and Boeing. He holds an MBA from Gonzaga University and a bachelor’s degree in international business. Frank’s son was born with hearing loss and benefited from Spokane HOPE’s early intervention program. His passion for supporting children with hearing loss drives his dedication to expanding access to quality education and building strong communities.
Dr. William Schmitt
Michele Greenwood, AuD
Michele has been an audiologist at Spokane Ear, Nose and Throat/Providence Medical Group since 2000. She received her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University in 1994, Master’s degree from the University of Colorado in 1997 and doctorate degree through A.T. Still University in 2012. Over the years, Michele has worked in most areas of audiology including diagnostic hearing testing for all ages, electrophysiology testing, hearing aids and cochlear implants. She presently specializes in newborn hearing testing and balance assessment.
Dr. Mark VanDam
Dr. VanDam is a Professor of Speech & Hearing Sciences at Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. His research focuses on speech production and language development in children with hearing loss. A dedicated advocate for the hearing-impaired community, Dr. VanDam has served on the Spokane HOPE board since 2015. Prior to his board service, his children participated as typically-hearing peer models at HOPE, further deepening his connection to the organization’s mission.
Laura Frank
Laura has been involved with Spokane HOPE as a board member since 2017. Laura has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and has over 20 years of experience in engineering and project management. She is honored to serve as a board member and to help HOPE reach, serve, and support families of children with hearing loss so every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Laura lives with her husband and three children in Liberty Lake. As a family, they love spending time together, outdoor activities, and on any given day, attending sports or other extracurricular activities.
Tamara Simmerman, MD
Dr. Tamara Simmerman is a pediatrician at Providence Liberty Lake in Spokane Valley. She met her husband, Dr. Brian Simmerman, also a pediatrician at Providence, during medical school in Portland, OR. The couple joined Valley Young People’s Clinic in 2000. Outside of work, Tami is an avid reader and enjoys gardening, but her greatest joy is spending time with her family.
Jordan Curnutt, CFP®
Jordan Curnutt, a Spokane native, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and partner at Quantum Financial Planning. Since starting his career with Quantum in 2012, Jordan has developed expertise in serving the financial needs of retirees nationwide. He also serves on Quantum’s Investment Committee and Leadership Team. Jordan holds a Finance degree from Eastern Washington University, where he was a student-athlete in Cross Country and Track & Field. In addition to his professional work, he serves on the Financial Committee at his church and is a proud board member of Spokane HOPE. Jordan lives in north Spokane with his wife Alyssa and their two daughters, Addy and Sydney.
Steve Hoiness
With more than four decades of experience in software development, including over 25 years at Itron, Steve Hoiness brings exceptional technical expertise and visionary leadership to his role as Director of Research & Development. His career encompasses a wide range of disciplines, from software engineering and program management to global testing operations, making him a trusted leader in driving innovation and operational excellence.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Steve is deeply invested in his community. A passionate advocate for Spokane, he actively supports initiatives that improve the lives of children and strengthen local families. Rooted in strong family values, Steve and his wife of 37 years, Kathy, make their home in Spokane, where they continue to live with purpose, compassion, and service. They are proud parents of two grown children who now reside in Arizona.