Shannon Underwood graduated from the University of Washington and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Prior to attending law school, she worked at EF Hutton in syndications. Shannon practiced law for three years before making a career change to commercial real estate development in 1993. Underwood Gartland Development is solely owned by Shannon and her husband David Gartland. The firm builds manufacturing and distribution facilities for its own portfolio in north King County and South Snohomish County. Shannon is an active member of NAIOP, having served as the 2006 State President and on the State and National Boards of Directors. She is a past trustee at the Forest Ridge School and a past Commodore of Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club in Bellevue. Shannon and David have three children all of whom are off the dole. On a personal note, Shannon is an avid reader, keeps chickens, is interested in art history and languages, and is an enthusiastic runner and biker.