Alan Nolan on Public Service, School Boards, and Running for Office

What leads someone with a military and business background to step into local politics? In this episode of *Chess Not Checkers*, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Alan Nolan, a Mead School Board member, retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, and candidate for Washington's 6th Legislative District, to trace his path from the Air Force Academy to Spokane and into public service. Alan shares how a career spanning the military, small business, and education shaped his approach to leadership, why he believes boards and government benefit from members who come from outside the institutions they oversee, and what finally moved him to get off the sidelines and run. The conversation digs into issues that hit close to home for Spokane, including the debate over Spokane Transit Authority's expansion and the North Division line, the role of fiscal responsibility in public budgets, and the connection Alan sees between tax policy, affordability, and challenges like homelessness and addiction. Whether you're a business owner, a civic-minded leader, or someone who has ever wondered whether getting involved is worth it, this episode offers a candid look at what it means to serve, to lead, and to think a few moves ahead. Learn more about Alan and his campaign at nolan4wa.com. Show Flow 00:00  Welcome to Chess Not Checkers 02:31  From the Air Force to Spokane and Starting 509 Design 07:35  Washington's Districts and Why Alan Ran 12:49  Winning a Seat on the Mead School Board 15:20  Education, Outside Perspectives, and Literacy 28:32  The STA Ballot Measure and Fiscal Responsibility 39:00  Markets, Density, and How Cities Plan 47:00  Accountability, Incentives, and Private-Sector Solutions 62:47  Oversight, Olympia, and the Cost of Living in Washington