La Conner Thrives Association
Unique shops, galleries, museums, and eateries in breathtaking surroundings are yours to explore.
Make La Conner your favorite getaway and
discover what locals already know.
We love La Conner, and you will, too.
About Our Team
We are a scrappy lot, coming from many different backgrounds.
And we all have a lot of love for this community.
Executive Director
Nicky McGarity
Nicky stumbled upon La Conner and quickly fell in love with it, making it her home. She has since become a valued tenured member of Whatcom Community College's full-time faculty in the Business Department, specializing in small business sustainability and social justice. Nicky's passion for supporting local businesses and nonprofits seamlessly led her to the role as Executive Director of La Conner Thrives Association, where she continues to make a positive impact, even though she relocated to Ferndale she still spends much time in La Conner. When not doing all of this, she spends her time with her little boy, running around La Conner or traipsing through the forest.
Director of Community Outreach & Events
Gina Torpey
Gina Torpey, director of community outreach and events, is the creative engine behind many La Conner fundraisers and festivities. After moving to the
La Conner area in 2018, Gina and her life partner, Ernie Gomez, quickly impressed everyone they met with their open hearts and energetic, imaginative support for local businesses, the community, and its people. Gina’s busy hair salon, Enchanted Locks, serves as ground zero for La Conner Thrives planning and outreach, and Gina takes advantage of every chance she gets to rope her clients into the fun & shenanigans.
Board Secretary and Communications
Christine Hill
Christine Hill is a retired corporate communications consultant who moved to Shelter Bay nine years ago. She worked part-time for a few years in a local boutique, where she loved welcoming visitors and getting to know her new neighbors. Christine also has enjoyed volunteer work with a local child advocacy organization, a leadership role in the local Soroptimists chapter, and developing publicity for local events. She is grateful every day to be surrounded by breathtaking beauty in such a warm, close-knit community.
.png)
Board Treasurer
This could be you
Join our energetic team
Reality Checker and
Chief of Moral
Warren Smith
Warren Smith retired as a director of what was then the third largest U.S. air express company. He and his wife, Julie, settled in Shelter Bay six years ago, where they started vegetable and flower gardens and enjoyed helping neighbors with errands and home projects. Warren is a frequent volunteer at La Conner events when he and Julie aren’t busy planning their next big holiday light display.
After several years of persuasion from Warren, and the children, she retired from the medical field to return to the Pacific Northwest. Grandchildren and the love of travel were among the driving factors in the move from Arizona. Along with travel and gardening, Julie enjoys reading, Quilting, costume creation, volunteering at La Conner events and COFFEE.
Rotary Club of La Conner Liaison
Christi King
Christi King currently lives in La Conner with her husband of 28 years and Argos their 3 year old
German Pincher. Christi retired from The Boeing Company October 2020, after a fantastic 38 year career. Christi feels extremely blessed and honored to have such a diverse and wonderful career at Boeing.
Christi’s expertise was working with Boeing supplier’s to teach and improve their efficiencies as well as spending time with new Boeing managers as a mentor and advocate. Christi continues mentoring Boeing managers, giving back to the leaders and company for all that was
given to her.
After leaving Boeing, Christi purchased a 1905 renovated building in La Conner and opened King’s Tillinghast Postal and Business Center. She spend 2 1/2 years running the business with two employees and had the opportunity to meet all the local town members who needed a variety of business and postal services. Running the business during COVID showed Christi how important the business was to La Conner, and the fact that we were able to protect our clients during that time.
Christi’s passion is to give back to the community Christi joined the Rotary Club of La Conner in
2015, when her neighbor Patsy Good invited her to a meeting to learn about Rotary. Christi has
been hooked ever since. Christi has served as the President, Secretary, Membership Chair and is now the Secretary for Rotary District 5050 – 50% US and 50% Canadian members.
.png)
The Next Best Board Member
You!
Do you love La Conner as much as we do? Please contact us for more information and to share your vision.