Seafair's King Neptune Officially Wraps up Duties in Festival's Annual Tradition

This year Skip Rowley of Issaquah was appointed King in honor of his
commitment to community.

ISSAQUAH, Wash., July 31 /PRNewswire/ -- For the past few weeks, Skip
Rowley's job as a real-estate developer and property manager has taken a back
seat to a job that requires a different type of hat -- a crown, actually.
Rowley has served as King Neptune, the honorary monarch of Seafair, as the
goodwill ambassador making public appearances, speeches and accompanying the
appointed Queen through the event, an honor given to a civic leader.
"The past few weeks have been filled with fantastic experiences that I
will cherish for years to come," Rowley said. "My involvement with Seafair has
reminded me of what an incredibly giving, vibrant community we have in the
Puget Sound."
Officially, Seafair says the duty of King Neptune is to battle the
villainous pirates for control of the city and its maritime festival, but in
reality the duties include working with many of the Seafair participants.
"For example, I was very fortunate to help mentor the participants of the
Seafair pageant along with Constance Rice, who served as Queen Alcyone,"
Rowley noted. "I was very impressed with the intelligence and poise these
young women presented. I was heartened knowing Seafair could help them through
scholarships."
In his role as King Neptune, Rowley had the opportunity to 'knight' other
community leaders in appreciation of their contributions.
Rowley knighted Issaquah's Mayor Ava Frisinger; Karen Ridlon of Eastside
Baby Corner, who he named Duchess Protector of Vulnerable Children; Shari
Carter CEO of the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce as Baroness of Business; Robin
Kelly head of Salmon Days as Savior of Salmon; and Bernard Garbusjuk,
president of Boehm Chocolates as King of Chocolates.
Rowley also knighted Issaquah City Administrator Leon Kos, Washington
Governor Gregoire, and Captain Sig Hansen of the Discovery Channel program
Deadliest Catch.
"I'm proud that this year I was able to participate and recognize several
of the outstanding members of our communities that so unselfishly give back,"
said Rowley. "My only regret is I couldn't honor more than a handful of the
many good men and women who serve our community and represent a foundation of
goodwill."
His reign, though, had its humorous moments. When Rowley joined a group of
friends at a hotel for dinner, he inadvertently left his crown in the front
seat of his Seafair vehicle. After dinner, his friends spied the
ersatz-jewel-encrusted circlet and began chanting that he don the crown, which
he did, much to the delight of the valet attendants.
"Throughout my experience as King Neptune, I've come to realize how much
the community embraces Seafair's fun traditions," said Rowley. "It has been an
honor serving as goodwill ambassador to this community."
Rowley, a fixture in the Issaquah community for the past 54 years, built
his business, Rowley Properties, on the idea that corporate citizenship is an
important core value. Based on that mantra, Rowley's own company has worked to
create a better place for families and businesses within the city of Issaquah.
The company's corporate giving program focuses on areas of education, arts and
culture, community and civic organizations.
Over the years, Rowley's given back and created opportunity when funding
and support was lacking. Whether it's saving the Issaquah fish hatchery
through a capital raising campaign, investing millions to ensure local streams
are clean, or providing free warehouse space to local non-profits -- Rowley
believes in giving back to his community.
About Rowley Properties
Founded in 1954, Rowley Properties is a family-owned and operated property
management and development firm. The company purchases, develops, leases and
manages property throughout Western Washington. In addition to its business
commitments, Rowley works to help businesses succeed, families belong, and
communities prosper through a strong corporate citizen program that focuses on
education, arts and culture, community and civic organizations.

Lisa Cuevas (425) 395-9563 Mark Firmani (206) 443-9357
Rowley Properties Firmani + Associates Inc.
lisac@rowleyproperties.com Mark@firmani.com

SOURCE Rowley Properties

Lisa Cuevas of Rowley Properties, +1-425-395-9563, lisac@rowleyproperties.com;
or Mark Firmani of Firmani + Associates Inc., +1-206-443-9357,
Mark@firmani.com, for Rowley Properties