Meet Bettina
A graduate of Puyallup High School, with family ties going back to Pierce County’s early founders, Bettina Gese has built her life in the neighborhoods, schools, and communities that define the region.
As a proud member of the Puyallup Tribe, Bettina’s connection to the community runs deep. She is the granddaughter of a former Tribal Chief whose leadership helped guide the tribe’s growth, including advancing sovereignty and securing treaty fishing rights through the landmark Boldt Decision, creating opportunity for future generations.
She grew up working at the Thunderbird Trading Post, the family business her mother started in 1975. What began as a small convenience store has grown into a multi-faceted business serving generations of local families. Working there since childhood, Bettina learned the value of hard work, customer service, and community responsibility.
In 2006, Bettina became a commercial geoduck diver, entering one of the most demanding industries in the region. She later became a licensed real estate agent and small business owner, gaining firsthand experience in job creation, financial responsibility, and the challenges facing working families.
Bettina has also been deeply involved in her community as a PTA president, school volunteer, and football booster president. She is a proud mother of three sons, Tristyn, Landyn, and Van, and a grandmother with another grandchild on the way.
Bettina Gese is not a career politician. She is a worker, a business owner, and a community leader who understands what it takes to get things done.
