Elections

Timothy Jeffryes

Bio:
Tim Jeffryes has been living in Glendale since 2019, when he moved here from Hawaii with his wife Rebecca McCarthy. They have been amazed to find themselves surrounded by neighbors of varying Polynesian descents, making it feel almost as if they are still in Honolulu! Tim grew up in Denver and Honolulu, then lived in NYC for 31 years, pursuing an acting career. In that time he has founded and run two successful companies: a touring theatre company in NYC that brought live educational theatre to children in elementary and junior high schools throughout the Northeast. The 2nd is his computer consulting business, which he started in 1994. Currently he is also a contractor with the State of Utah’s Department of Agriculture.

Tim has always been passionate about our treatment of the planet and its resources and about justice, which he feels are really inseparable. As a child, he participated in campaigns to clean up litter in Honolulu and has always supported and encouraged the idea of using less, re-using more, recycling and lowering our impact on the earth.

Tim knows that we live in an unfair society. As a white, heterosexual, agnostic man, he’s well aware that he has comforts and privileges not because of any virtues that he possesses, but simply because he happens to have these traits.

Tim would like to give back to his community by serving on this coalition.

He is terrified about two main things: climate change and the loss of Democracy. He is passionate about the environment, women’s access to healthcare and abortion, teaching critical thinking in our schools, public transportation and bicycling.

Statement of interest:
I feel a need to give back to my community because I have privileges and opportunities that others do not.

Peter Makowski

Bio:
Peter Makowski is the Deputy Director of the Business Development Division for Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development. While working in the outdoor recreation industry, he attended the University of Utah where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Urban Planning. Upon graduation, he worked as a Project Manager in the Business Development Division of Ogden City, Utah, specializing in marketing, real estate, business recruitment/retention/expansion efforts, community development finance, and small business assistance. He oversaw Ogden’s Small Business Loan Program, the City’s Business Information Center, and served as Executive Director of Wasatch Community Funding CDFI. In his time at Salt Lake City, Peter has managed corporate recruitment, retention, and development efforts resulting in over 10,000 jobs attracted, over 5 million square-feet of new commercial and industrial construction, and over $1B in new capital investment. Peter is a Salt Lake City native, an outdoors enthusiast, and moonlights as a musician. He’s lived in the Poplar Grove neighborhood for 3 years and serves on the Poplar Grove Community Council.

Statement of interest:
I am a Salt Lake City native and recently purchased a home in the Poplar Grove neighborhood. In my 44 years living in the city, I have never felt a more warm and welcoming neighborhood than Poplar Grove. There is a sense of community and pride that everyone feels, but also some disconnection from the rest of the city. I want to serve on the Westside Coalition board to advocate for my neighbors and my community, to bring more opportunities to the Westside, and bridge the gap between our neighborhoods and those east on I-15 and the train tracks. There are beautiful cultures, stories, and experiences that only exist on the westside and I would love to share it with the rest of the city. I’ve worked for Salt Lake City Economic Development for 10 years and have learned a lot about how our city works and it’s future growth. I want to make sure the westside is part of the growth by being a strong advocate for our values, and preserving what makes our neighborhoods unique and special and accessible to everyone.

Justice Morath

Bio:
Justice Morath is an associate professor of psychology at Salt Lake Community College since 2013. He’s based out of the South City Campus but also teaches at the main Taylorsville campus and out at the state prison. He moved to Rose Park from central city in 2015 then made a huge leap two blocks south to Fairpark in the fall of 2024. He is currently serving as Acting Chair and District 1 Representative on SLC’s Transportation Advisory Board. He’s active in numerous local and national science outreach programs. An avid writer, you may have seen his commentaries in the Tribune, Deseret News, or West View. He and his wife have an old pit bull and spry border collie, with the occasional Ruff Haven foster in there too. When not working you might catch him riding his bike around town, at one of the West Side’s great skate parks, or waiting for a local brewery to finally open over here!

Statement of interest:
“I grew up in Denver in the 80’s and 90’s. I know, I know; I’m an interloper, but hear me out! As a kid, Denver experienced a number of growing pains. It’s infamous Brown Cloud of smog in the winter. My underserved working class neighborhood gentrifying seemingly overnight. People struggling with homelessness and no services to help. School closures and long bus rides. Major highway expansion. Multiple new stadiums and major league teams moving in…sound familiar?
I was also raised by an environmentalist who taught me the value of activism and public engagement. And it helped shape the work I do today. Because of my concerns for the safety, ecology, and health of the West Side, I joined the SLC Transportation Advisory Board as the District 1 Representative and am now Acting Chair (and likely official Chair by the time of the election.) I also do work at the local and national level promoting science education and advocacy. And some of this work has led me to meet and collaborate with a number of current Coalition Board members.
My day job is a professor at SLCC. And time and time again they keep offering me a nice office with a window at our main campus in Taylorsville. Every time I refuse, because I feel at home at the South City Campus, home of the original South High, and staple of the Ballpark neighborhood. And because I can easily ride my bicycle via the JRT or take Trax. I want to continue to help our area and city it’s urban vibrancy and green spaces and thus community.
We have the opportunity to learn from the mistakes Denver made and to use this growth and revitalization to our community’s benefit. But as we all know, it’s not going to happen by the hand of the developers and politicians. They are too shortsighted. Which is why I cherish the work that the Westside Coalition does and want to become part of it.

Izumi Okamura

Bio:
As a life-long Utah resident, I fell in love with Salt Lake City while attending the University of Utah, where I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. After teaching junior high and high school math for several years, I transitioned to the private sector and currently work in the financial technology industry.

Over the years, I have been actively involved in volunteer work across the city, including organizations like the Road Home, Circles, Hser Ner Moo, and the VOA, and have participated in projects like the Jordan River Parkway cleanup and River Court. I’m also an avid runner and recently began competing in triathlons, which has deepened my appreciation for the Northwest Recreation Center’s excellent swimming amenities.

In 2019, I moved to the Fairpark neighborhood and was immediately struck by the strong sense of community on the West Side. I joined the Westside Coalition because I believe in contributing to the vibrant, diverse, and inclusive neighborhood that welcomed me so warmly. My goal is to help foster continued growth and improvement in this wonderful community.

Statement of interest:
I’m excited for the opportunity to continue serving the Westside Coalition as Treasurer. Over the past year, I’ve worked to bring transparency and consistency to our financial tracking and reporting, while also seeking out grant opportunities and helping with the application process.

Looking ahead, I’m eager to grow in this role by contributing more actively to fundraising efforts and supporting community-building events that bring our neighbors together and amplify the incredible work happening across the West Side. I believe strong financial stewardship is key to a strong organization, and I’m committed to helping the Coalition thrive.

Carlos Palestina

Bio:
Carlos Palestina is a dedicated advocate for education and social change, with a deep commitment to equity that began during his time at the University of Utah. With over a decade of experience as an educator in various institutions, he has worked tirelessly to provide quality education and support to underserved students. His passion for community engagement led him to take on leadership roles in various organizations from a young age, further strengthening his resolve to create meaningful change.

Currently, Carlos serves as the Programs Manager for Salt Lake City, where he oversees the nationwide initiative My Brother’s Keeper (MBK), introduced by former President Obama. Through MBK, he works to empower young men and boys of color, ensuring they have access to the resources and opportunities needed to succeed. His leadership extends beyond education; as a coach and mentor to young athletes, he fosters personal growth and development both on and off the soccer field.

Carlos is a committed leader in community-based initiatives, currently serving on the NeighborWorks of Salt Lake and Utah SOMOS Foundation boards. In these roles, he advocates for key issues such as access to affordable housing, economic opportunities, and mentorship opportunities for students pursuing their education, all of which have a direct and meaningful impact on the Westside community. His ability to build coalitions, develop strategic partnerships, and implement impactful programs makes him a strong candidate for the Westside Coalition Board.

With a lifelong dedication to community empowerment, Carlos seeks to bring his experience in mentorship, education, and policy advocacy to the board. His vision is to foster collaboration, uplift underrepresented voices, and ensure that the Westside continues to thrive. By serving on the board, he hopes to contribute his expertise and passion to advance initiatives that create lasting, positive change for all Westside residents.

Statement of interest:
I am excited to serve on the Westside Coalition Board because of my commitment to fostering positive change in our community. I believe in creating inclusive, supportive environments where all voices are heard and respected. With experience in mentoring, program management, and community collaboration, I am dedicated to contributing to initiatives that empower and uplift marginalized communities, especially youth and families on the Westside.

I want to help represent the Westside on the board, ensuring that the unique needs, challenges, and aspirations of our community are at the forefront of every decision. As a proactive member of various community-driven projects, I understand the importance of teamwork, transparency, and accountability in achieving our shared goals. If elected, I will work diligently to ensure that the Coalition remains focused on its mission to improve the lives of Westside residents and address the challenges they face. My experience in collaboration with diverse stakeholders positions me to be an effective advocate for our community’s needs and to help drive actionable solutions.

Thank you for considering me as a member of the Westside Coalition Board. I am eager to work with all of you to make a meaningful impact.

Nigel Swaby

Bio:
Nigel Swaby is a real estate agent for both residential and commercial properties. He has been active on the Westside as a community leader serving on the Fairpark Community Council and the Westside Coalition. He currently lives in Poplar Grove with his 10 year old daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys playing poker, golfing and politics.

Statement of interest:
I’ve been part of the Westside Coalition for many years. I don’t currently hold a board position because I stepped down as chair of Fairpark. Since I’ve moved back to the Westside, I would like to become a voting member again.

Martha Wiley

Bio:
Martha graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Mechanical Engineering a very long time ago. She also completed her MBA at Westminster with an International focus. She is currently the Vice President of Quality at Scientia Vascular. Scientia is a Utah based medical device company that manufactures (in Utah!) devices for use in the treatment of stroke or aneurysm. Martha moved to Rose Park in 2014 because she was seeking a more diverse and inclusive neighborhood. She also has three kiddos with the youngest two being born in India in 2018 and 2020. People also know her house because we have a cow statue in the park strip. His name is Mooooses if you want to say hi.

Statement of interest:
In my current career I specialize in uniting large groups of team members from different departments to do very hard things (like getting FDA approval on products that haven’t been made before). So, while I may be new to community organizing, I am not new to working with diverse groups of people with varying schools of thought and working towards a common goal. This skillset uniquely positions me to be a temperate voice in the room during a divisive time and I look forward to leveraging it to help improve a community that has given me so much.