Washingtonians for Public Banking

Washingtonians for Public Banking

Our Vision

A resilient and democratic Washington economy where public sector banking and finance complements and balances large-scale private industry and banking, in tandem with small- to medium-sized enterprises.

Our Purpose

To democratize our public financial and monetary institutions, reduce or eliminate disruptive and destructive economic cycles of boom and bust, and restore transparency, lawful checks and balances, and integrity to our most important economic drivers - our private banks and financial institutions. 

Our Mission

To establish a public bank that serves the public good, and in doing so, compliments the private sector that serves private profits. 

President:

John Burbank

John Burbank received a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Washington. He is currently a clinical instructor at University of Washington School of Public Health,a former political director of the Washington State Labor Council, and former executive director and founder of Economic Opportunity Institute, an organization responsible for groundbreaking progressive legislation throughout Washington state.  

Vice President:

Ruth Fruland

Dr. Ruth Fruland She received her PhD in education (University of Washington, 2006). She became an advocate for public banking in Washington State after a career as a NASA geologist (1970-1984, Johnson Space Center) and environmental geologist for Battelle Northwest at the Hanford Site in Eastern Washington (1985-1997). Previously, she taught at Seattle area colleges, including Bellevue College until 2013.

Secretary: 

Stoney Bird

Stoney Bird received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California. He is currently the Whatcom Chapter leader for FairVote Washington and former director and secretary for Washington Lawyers for Sustainability. He has spent years as a dedicated activist in Washington state, including as a Green Party Candidate for Washington’s 2^nd Congressional District.  

Treasurer:

Martin Talarico

Martin Talarico graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Management and Finance. He has worked with several investment firms for over 25 years in the Seattle investment community and volunteered with local nonpartisan grassroot organizations, including the Public Banking Institute, Seattle Indivisible, and a Pacific NW Advisor for the Coalition for the National Infrastructure Bank. 

Naishin Fu

Naishin Fu is a former public health and health technology professional who left the private sector in 2021 to focus on policy and advocacy. In addition to public banking, she is involved with advocacy and organizing on various housing, land use, and progressive revenue efforts.

Frank Thomas

Frank Thomas is currently senior staff to the Washington State Supreme Court's Minority and Justice Commission. Frank has a B.A. in finance and marketing from the University of Washington, and a JD from the University of California, Irvine School of Law. Frank became passionate about public banking while studying banking regulations during law school under CA State Senator David Min.

Tiffani McCoy

Tiffani McCoy is the Advocacy Director at Real Change and Campaign Co-Chair of House Our Neighbors. She was the campaign manager for Seattle's I-135, the first citizen’s initiative to create a Social Housing Developer in the United States.

Executive Director:

Marco Rosaire Rossi

Marco Rosaire Rossi is an organizer for Washingtonians for Public Banking. He received a PhD in political science from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Throughout his years of public service, he has served on the board of several nonprofits and been active in the labor movement.