The Ridgefield School District Board of Directors has selected Jake Bredstrand to fill the District 5 Director position left vacant when board member Zenia Bringhurst resigned last month after moving out of the district. Bredstrand was sworn in at the Ridgefield school board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
“As the son of two high school teachers, I have a deep passion for and knowledge of the public school system here in Washington,” Bredstrand said. “My personal leadership experience and time serving in various board capacities has me well-prepared for this opportunity. I especially hope to be a voice for the younger families who are settling into Ridgefield and sending their kids to school for the first time. It is an honor to join the Ridgefield School District as a Director, and I look forward to actively representing my constituents.”
Bredstrand is the Lead Enterprise Account Manager for Culture Amp, an employee experience tech company. He lives in Ridgefield with his wife, Madison and their 1-year-old daughter, Collins. He was born and raised in Clark County and has lived in Ridgefield since 2019. Bredstrand has served on the City of Ridgefield’s Parks Board and Budget Advisory Committee, has volunteered with the Ridgefield Lions Club, and is a board member of the Kennedy Farm HOA. Bredstrand has also volunteered with the Future Farmers of America and the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He is passionate about all things Washington State University and enjoys cooking and hosting, walking Ridgefield’s trails, and listening to podcasts and watching films.
Bredstrand earned a bachelor of arts degree in humanities with minors in communication and sports management from Washington State University in Pullman, Wash.
Bredstrand’s appointment brings the board back to full capacity and will last through November 2023. Bredstrand was the lone candidate who applied for the interim position, and is also running unopposed to fill the position on a non-interim basis following the Nov. 7 election.