With that is out of the way, I'd love to first share with you why this site exists. My wife, Stacey, and I moved to this area with our three teenage daughters in early 2019. In January 2021, we started a Social Purpose Corporation [WeHeartCleElumRoslyn, SPC] with the purpose of exploration of community outreach.
From Fortune 100 (Nike) to over 25 years' experience as Founder, Board Chair, CEO, CFO, and Head of Strategy, Innovation, and Technology of multiple companies, I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. I've been fortunate to align with some incredible people and organizations over the years, and believe in the power of community, straight-talk, and honesty.
I've lived in big cities, small towns (<1000), high-rises, waterfront, mountains, and everything in between. Life is the best educator, and I've lived a full one so far in my almost 50 years.
Currently in MIT's Executive Management program at the MIT Sloan School of Management (Ranked #2 in the US) for Advanced Certificate for Executives in Management, Innovation, and Technology (ACE). Also working towards my AWS Certification for Solutions Architect and Master in Legal Studies (MLS).
🏅Harvard Business Review Advisory Council🏅
🏆Recipient of the 2024 CXO 2.0 (C-Level Exec) Business Leadership Excellence Award🏆
Currently serving on numerous corporate and nonprofit Advisory Boards, as well as several top national business and technology associations.
My wife, Stacey, and I want to help others navigate the often stormy waters of life. Give back. Leave a mark. Do the outrageous and disrupt the status quo.
We have been married for over 25 years and have three great high-achieving teen/20's daughters [Emerson, Sydney, and Presley] and a delightful miniature goldendoodle named Rover.
🇺🇸 I'm proud to be a First Generation American, as a son of a German Immigrant Father [via Canada] 🇺🇸
Siegmar Karl Ohlemann | 1938 - 2022 | 🇩🇪🇨🇦🇺🇸 | 🏃🏼♂️👟🏅
Current mood in Cle Elum / Roslyn area.
I'll admit, we didn't know what to expect moving from high-rise life in Bellevue to a small town across the mountains with three teenagers and a mini goldendoodle. The first test was the kids and school. We were all quite nervous. I'd say it was a slightly turbulent landing, but within a couple months, our girls had been warmly received and they all firmly stated they never wanted to go back! 😅
Having spent the first several years in Cle Elum (Suncadia), and later moving to Roslyn in late 2022 where we renovated a circa 1888 house, we've gotten to meet a pretty diverse group of individuals and families here. With our three daughters all attending Cle Elum Roslyn Schools, with two now graduated, we have enjoyed the great life that this area has to offer. We are grateful to call Roslyn home, and hope to make many future memories here with family and friends.
It's quite hard to establish relationships outside of the school setting here. It's no secret that this community has many longtime families dating back generations to the Coal Mining days. Many of those families like the way things are, and don't appreciate anyone rocking the boat. It is a tough nut to crack...just being real.
We have truly grown to love Roslyn, Cle Elum, Suncadia, and the surrounding area. It is now our home. We are invested into the community, and grateful for the wonderful years our kids have had so far. Truly, it meant everything to us. Thank you!
I am not the most outspoken person you all have met...but probably pretty close. I prefer to call it "passionate", but heck, I'll own it. I can get feisty! At the root of all that "passion" are two main motivations:
1. A firm belief that things can always be made better.
2. I am a seeker of justice in every form.
I'm a curious person by nature. I like to know not only the what, but the why...and why not. I prefer to challenge the status quo. I enjoy heated debate. I try hard to listen to the opposing side, and seek the greater good. Find the win-win. Prove it can be done. Together.
Now to address the project that I posted about recently and address some common questions and concerns.
On May 8, 2024, I sent the email below to Mayor Adams, Mayor Lundh, and Senior Management at Suncadia expressing an interest in producing a "documentary" style piece on life in the area, and what it has been like, both good and bad. Honest. Fair.
Q: Since you have a background as a builder, are you just producing this video as some sort of sales tool to drive more buyers into the area?
A: No. I don't build homes anymore.
Q: You say you want to run for Mayor of Roslyn. Is that so you can sneak in more development into community?
A: 😂 No. I promise! I don't build homes anymore, and there is nothing for me to gain personally in doing this other than hopefully a stronger community.
Q: This guy you are looking to film the project, Steve Hickey (aka photogsteve81), what are all the rumors about him being a squatter, out to capitalize on this opportunity or...(fill in the blank as needed here).
A: I have known Steve for almost 15 years. While I have no place of trying to weigh in on his person legal quandaries, which will likely soon resolve in the courts (this is America folks...), he is a darn good camera guy and producer. I will be creating the content. Most producers honestly don’t want to be subjected to the type of harassment and bullying tactics that will likely come with an assignment like this, in these towns. Despite my best efforts to the contrary, I anticipate it will get animated.
Q: What do you intend to cover? Who is the audience?
A: (see letter to Mayors and Suncadia) I simply want to highlight some of my own and others experiences moving and living here. I’ve reached out to both Mayor Adams, Mayor Lundh, and Suncadia for feedback, and plan to make a survey available to residents and businesses of Cle Elum (including Suncadia and Tumble Creek), Roslyn, Ronald, and South Cle Elum before I make any major decisions on the content. It is meant to provide helpful insight to both residents of our towns, and to those who may be thinking of moving into our area. I would like us all to better understand and be able to articulate the challenges and opportunities our area faces with inevitable growth.
While Suncadia may be a beautiful property, it is its own separate ecosystem and presents many great benefits, but also many challenges to our area, including increasing frustrations from its residents and surrounding communities.
I'm sure there will be more questions and input from the community. I'm counting on it...I encourage it! I'll keep this site as updated as reasonably possible. My comments along with residents' can be found in the various FaceBook groups in the area.
My email is karl.ohlemann@preserve.inc.
If needed, we can hop on a call/zoom.
I live at 210 W Washington Ave, Roslyn, WA 98941.
I'm not hiding or ducking from conversations. I have spoken to at least 150 families since moving here about their experiences, pains, frustrations, and ideas. I feel compelled to put this together to try and build our community and bring a healthy awareness of the good, the bad, and the (sometimes) ugly reality of living in this community, including Suncadia and Tumble Creek. Many residents feel unheard. Unrepresented. Ignored. I intend to endeavor to fix that, to the degree possible.
I ran for City Council of Roslyn in 2023. While I did not hang a single sign or send one mailer, 20% of the town voted for me. That isn't nothing. For a campaign with nothing but a statement in the voters guide, it shows that there are people who want to be heard.
Send me an email. Please. Reach out. I would truly enjoy hearing from you, no matter what side of the equation you are on. Promise. 🙏🏼
Thanks,
Karl Ohlemann
Here are some prime examples of the reception newer residents receive.
It's interesting to say the least!
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