Dr. Michele S. Gerber has had a long and distinguished career in research and writing. She was the Hanford Site Historian for 22 years, and wrote a best-selling book on nuclear history that has been published in four editions.

After the death of her son from drug addiction, she founded the Benton Franklin Recovery Coalition, which has become the largest in Washington State. As the President of that organization, she has raised millions of dollars to establish the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery, testified before the Washington State legislature, written multiple guest editorials, and has been interviewed by the media more than 50 times on the subject of addiction and what can be done about it.

Most recently, she has written Witness to Addiction: My Son’s Journey and What Each Person Can Do to Fight America’s Opioid Epidemic. 

Matthew (Matt) Rasmussen currently serves as the Deputy County Administrator for Benton County Washington and has been in that role since 2020. He has over 17 years of public sector experience having worked for a variety of agencies including counties, cities and an irrigation district.

Matt holds a Bachelors Degree from the California State Polytechnic University in Civil Engineer and is licensed as both a Professional Land Surveyor and a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of Washington. In addition to technical work Matt has significant organizational leadership experience, currently leading a work force consisting of 19 different departments and over 250 employees. He also acts as a liaison between the Board of County Commissioners and the various independent elected officials at the County, building relationships between the elected offices and overseeing implementation of policies and programs for the nearly 700 total county employees. Recent major accomplishments include navigating the County through the COVID-19 pandemic, assisting with setting up and operating one of four large scale, public, COVID-19 vaccination sites and advocating with local, state and federal leaders to gain over $40 million in funding to construct a behavioral health recovery center in eastern Washington.

Matt is the father of two boys and has been married to his wife for over 20 years. He enjoys spending time outdoors, camping and off-road driving as well as time in his shop doing metal fabrication work.

NONMEMBER FEEs GO UP;

ANNUAL DUES GO DOWN

After more than six years, the Badger Club has increased the fee for a nonmember to attend a live online Badger Forum to $10. This change is effective immediately. Cost for in-person events will be announced.



At the same time the Annal Dues have been reduced to $50 with the next renewal. which is $10 less than the club's original dues in 2008! Members will still attend all online forums at no additional charge.