Dr. John Jarstad recently left the Federal Way area to take a professorship at the University of Missouri School of Medicine – Columbia, Missouri to head up their advanced cataract surgery and premium artificial lens division.

He was a valued member of the Mirror’s Editorial Board and an incredible contributor to the Federal Way community. His absence will be missed.

Due to this vacancy, the Editorial Board hand-picked a replacement to fulfill the remainder of Jarstad’s term. I am pleased to welcome Phil Sell to the Editorial Board to fill the remainder of this term ending March 2017.

Sell has lived in Federal Way since 1981. He has been married to Sarah for the last 49 years and counting, and has four grown children, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In 1965 he earned a bachelor’s degree and in 1967 he earned a master’s degree from the University of Washington. In 1991 he earned a doctorate from Illinois State University.

He was employed at the Boeing Co. from 1956 to 1967 as a drafter, engineer and training instructor and supervisor. After that, he went on to teach at Highline College until 2011 as an engineering professor, director of facilities and facilities engineer.

He received the Outstanding Teacher Award in 1999. While on leave from Highline in 1974, he was employed at the University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia as an engineering professor. In 1994, he received a Fulbright Scholar Award for six months of work in Cyprus.

Sell’s hobbies and activities are many and varied. He currently enjoys athletics, travel, wood working, reading, puzzles and gardening. He has served in several capacities, including repairs and remodel work and support for outreach programs of Calvary Lutheran Church. In the past, he was active in Habitat for Humanity and Master Gardener programs.

Sell and the remainder of the Editorial Board can be reached at: editorialboard@federalwaymirror.com for any questions or concerns that you may have as related to the Federal Way community.