About Us

Lars Erickson is the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications for the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. He has more than 25 years of experience in public and government relations, communications, and politics – serving over nine years as Senior Director of External Relations for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). In this role, Lars oversaw external and internal communications, government relations, community outreach efforts, strategic planning for special projects, and liaising with the Governor’s Office and partner agencies.

During his time at WSDOT, the agency received national recognition for its emergency/crisis communications efforts, social media engagement, and comprehensive user-focused website redesign. Lars’ experience also includes serving as Public Relations Officer at Pierce Transit, as Press Secretary for Gov. Chris Gregoire, and on multiple campaigns including Kerry/Edwards in 2004. Lars is a proud member of the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, appointed by the Governor, and also serves as a volunteer advance and press lead for the Biden Administration. 

 Commissioner.Lars.Erickson@seattle.gov

Joseph Seia, was born in Los Angeles, moved with his ‘āiga to Sāmoa and emigrated to Coast Salish Territory in 1994. He has 20+ years of experience in direct service, youth development work, and nonprofit leadership. Joseph champions systems change work the centers the leadership and history of most impacted communities to enact social change through coalition building, anti-racism organizing, and creating inter-generational leadership opportunities to co-design Beloved Community.

He currently serves as Co-Executive Director for Oceania Northwest providing social, cultural & economic support for Snohomish, King & Pierce County Pasifika communities. He also serves as the Community Development Director for Common Good Tacoma, an anti-racist coalition-based organization focused on healing justice, cultural belonging, and the abolition of poverty.

Rabbi Benchlouch is a synagogue Rabbi and leader in the Sephardic Jewish community of Seattle, and involved in outreach, psychology, and education.

With 10 years of rabbinical and psychological experience in USA and South Africa, Rabbi Benchlouch has served the greater community, in all sectors of the population. 

Rabbi David received his rabbinic ordination from the Jerusalem Midrash Sephardi Rabbinical College and holds a Masters degree in clinical mental health counseling from Bellevue University. 

His hands-on experience with diverse populations enables him to connect and facilitate community-wide outreach.

Raven is an Army veteran, having served 7 years in the United States Army as a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear officer and an all-source intelligence analyst. Prior to her time in the Army, Raven was contracted as an intelligence analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency providing experience in mapping and predictive analysis. She currently works as an associate at NWP Consulting in Seattle, Washington.

As an active member in her College’s Social Justice Leadership Institute, she worked closely with social impact organizations in multiple states through volunteerism. During her undergraduate studies she was an intern and Unite Here Labor union, where she worked with union organizers to unionize the Baltimore-Washington Airport workers.

Raven studied Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Marketing, at Marietta College. She later attended Bowie State University earning a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy and management. Raven currently works at NWP Consulting where she works as a political consultant with a focus on campaigns, communications, and causes.

Commissioner.RavenTyler@seattle.gov

Born and raised in Nairobi, Ken’s experience as a first-generation immigrant is his driving force to advocating for populations whose voices have been muted by society. He is committed to promoting equality for all and fair redistribution of power and status to marginalized populations. He has over 25 years of experience working with youth and young adults and has had many roles as a community leader including serving on the Seattle Human Rights Commission. He has also served on the board of directors for New Horizons Ministries, Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue, and Washington Aerospace Scholarship Foundation. He has a strong commitment to race and social justice and is adept at forming partnerships with community leaders to affect change.  
 
In his free time, Ken channels his creativity into serving his community, teaching African drumming, performing with his band, and enjoying time with family and friends. We're excited to welcome him to the commission.  

Joel Merkel is an Assistant Attorney General in the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Washington Attorney General’s Office. Previously, Joel served for nearly a decade as a Deputy Prosecutor at the King County Prosecutor’s Office. Joel tried dozens of domestic violence and sexual assault cases while working closely with victims thrust into the criminal legal system, many of whom are from diverse and marginalized communities. Joel served on an office-wide Equity Action Work group to develop internal recommendations on criminal justice reform and racial equity. Joel also spent nearly six years as Legislative Counsel for U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell in Washington D.C. and Seattle, carrying out oversight over multiple federal agencies, including complex investigations and legislative responses following the 2008 financial market crisis. Joel was appointed to the Commission by the City Council in 2022. 

Commissioner.Joel.Merkel@seattle.gov

Le'Jaya Washington serves as Operations Specialist for King County Equity Now, where her duties include tracking policy projects and participating in panels and community events. Her professional experience includes working at Seattle C.A.R.E.S Mentoring, Cultivating the Genius of Black Children and the Black Community Impact Alliance. Previously, she served as assistant to the Deputy Coroner in the City of Pasco and interned in the Office of King County Councilmember, Larry Gossett. Her volunteer experience includes the Urban League, Central Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Tyree Scott Freedom School.

commissioner.lejayah.washington@seattle.gov

Officer Mark Mullens was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio.  Before becoming a police officer,  Mullens worked for Intel Corporation, Microsoft and Airborne Express. He became a Seattle Police officer in 1990 and has worked in all precincts -- making the South Precinct his home for 29 years as a patrol officer.  

Officer Mullens has worked on the Anti-Crime Team and served as a Community Police Officer, working closely with El Centro de La raza and the residents of the housing program. He is also one of the original mountain bike patrol officers. 

In 2017, Officer Mullens was voted Officer of the Year for the South Precinct.

Officer Mullens serves as Shop Steward for The Seattle Police Officer's Guild (SPOG).

commissioner.mark.mullens@seattle.gov

Captain Anthony Gaedcke has been in law enforcement since 1994. During his time with the Seattle Police Department, he has held assignments in the Patrol Operations Bureau, the Professional Standards Bureau, and the Criminal Investigations Bureau. He is member of the Seattle Police Management Association (SPMA).  

commissioner.anthony.gaedcke2@seattle.gov

Arlecier West is the Sr. HR Business Partner with the King County Legislative Branch (Council). In this position, she leads recruitments for policy, Ombuds, and police accountability positions, which has given her insight to the needs for staffing employees around safety sensitive and community engaging roles.

Arlecier has held many positions in various community groups. Her favorite roles have been when she can be in the community, simply doing the work of serving and being a voice to those who aren’t always heard.

Arlecier enjoys watching movies from her childhood and wishes she was in Sister Act 2! She loves singing, writing songs, crafting, spending time with family and friends, and playing sports. Arlecier continuously challenges herself to grow in both her personal and professional lives as evidenced by completing degrees from both the University of Washington and Washington State University.

Arlecier.West@seattle.gov

I am committed to working towards having safe and healthy communities by participating in the change work necessary to achieve meaningful police reform by improving operations and strengthening relationships within those communities.

As a community leader, I am constantly looking for ways to involve myself in my community. With an understanding the power that the community has through organizing and the creation of policy, we can work towards moving our communities forward. I have experience working towards the transformation of many young lives on a daily basis, while also working to transform systems by providing alternatives to youth detention and confinement and I am eager to put these skills to use in working with the Community Police Commission.

Commissioner.Tascha.Johnson@seattle.gov

Erica Newman is longtime resident of the City of Seattle.  For the past decade,  Erica has spent a large amount of her time helping individuals and families navigate the education and criminal justice system. She has worked as a legislative analyst for the Metropolitan King County Council and a legal administrative specialist for the King County Prosecuting Attorney. 

Her volunteer experience includes work with community organizations like Africatown, Antioch University, and the NAACP.

commissioner.erica.newman@seattle.gov