Jesse Johnson, Chair

Jesse Johnson, of Federal Way, was appointed to the Highline Board of Trustees in Sep. 2022.

Johnson is completing a term as state representative for the 30th Legislative District. In this elected position, he passed a number of key policies around youth workforce planning and development, mental health access and juvenile justice reform. He also brought first ever funding to create a pre-apprenticeship program in construction and general contracting at his alma mater Federal Way High School and helped support the building of Maritime High School in Highline Public Schools.

Johnson previously served as Federal Way City Council Member, when at age 27, he was the youngest official elected in the city’s history. In Federal Way, he started a youth internship program called ‘Emerging Leaders’ and led efforts to pass an ‘apprenticeship utilization’ ordinance that mandates apprentices to be given job opportunities on city capital projects. Johnson has shared in his published biography that his values are rooted in equity, inclusion and social justice and he has a passion for education and youth development.

Johnson credits his strong work ethic and desire to continue to improve opportunities for the next general to his upbringing, and the influence of being the son of a U.S. Navy veteran and a residential and commercial painter.

Johnson is a graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Education. He is a proud graduate of Federal Way High School and has also served as a Federal Way Youth Action Team board member, Young Life board member and is active with New Beginnings Christian Fellowship. He has worked in public education in both the Seattle and Highline Public Schools as a high school college and career counselor, re-engagement specialist and in human resources. Jesse lives in Federal Way with his wife, a current medical student, and their young son.

Sharmila Swenson, Vice Chair

Sharmila K. Swenson, of Des Moines, was appointed to the Highline Board of Trustees on October 1, 2019.

Swenson is Vice President of Public Affairs and Social Impact for Symetra Life Insurance Company, a national provider of employee benefits, retirement products and life insurance. In her role she oversees corporate social responsibility, community relations, corporate giving, employee community engagement and public affairs at the local, state and federal levels.

Her prior experience includes work in the private, public and nonprofit arenas, most recently serving as manager of local government affairs and public policy for Puget Sound Energy, the largest energy provider in Washington. Other positions of note include relationship development officer for Treehouse, a Seattle-area education nonprofit; national field coordinator for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and deputy chief of staff for the 1st Congressional District, with a focus on energy, education, transportation and economic development.

Swenson serves on the boards of Treehouse, the University of Washington Bothell School of Business – Dean’s Advisory Board, the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and the national Association of Community College Trustees – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

A Seattle native, she is a proud graduate of Mt. Rainier High School in the Highline School District and holds a degree in political science from the University of Washington.

Joseph S. Bowman IV

Joseph S. Bowman IV, of Federal Way, was appointed to the Highline Board of Trustees in October 2020.

Bowman has 24 years of pastoral experience and is the founding pastor of Integrity Life Church, also based in Federal Way. He has championed many initiatives, programs and revitalization projects for Federal Way residents and students within the Federal Way Public Schools district.

For five years, Bowman served as president of City Vision (now named Federal Way Community Connections), a City of Federal Way initiative aimed to deepen support of its residents by bringing together nearly 50 nonprofits. Bowman has also served on the Integrity Life Church board and the boards of Federal Way Community Gardens, Pastors for a Better Federal Way, and the “Chiefs Call,” a citizens advisory board to Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang. Bowman also served in a contributing role in writing the equity policy for Federal Way Public Schools.

In addition to Bowman’s civic and religious work, he is a family man who has been married for 26 years and has four children ranging in age from 10 to 16 years old. He co-authored “The Promise Prematurely Delayed: A Couple’s Infertility Journey” with his wife Pamela and enjoys the Seahawks, audiobooks, cooking, basketball, movies and bowling in his spare time.

Bowman earned his Masters degree in Theological Studies with a Pastoral Leadership emphasis from Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, and his bachelor of science degree from City University in Business Administration.

Travis Exstrom

Travis Exstrom, of Burien, was appointed to the Highline Board of Trustees in November 2021.

Exstrom is an attorney within the Compliance & Ethics organization at Redmond-based Microsoft and past career at Seattle-based law firm Perkins Coie.

For eight years, Exstrom served as a trustee for the Highline Schools Foundation, a nonprofit that supports Highline Public Schools through private contributions. Although his time on the foundation’s board ended in December 2020, Exstrom stays involved as emeritus trustee to the foundation. In addition to Exstrom’s Highline Schools Foundation leadership, he was also the president of the Highline Premier Football Club for two years and has volunteered with the Housing Justice Project and the King County Neighborhood Legal Clinic in Kent.

Exstrom earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington School of Law and his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Whitman College.