Trustee Council


	Al Buck Al Buck moved to Eagle Point in 2001 shortly after retiring from the National Park Service and a life-long career heading the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Program. Al has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Geography. He is active on the Lands Committee.
	Christine Pellett Chris is a commercial real estate appraiser and holds the designation of MAI. She has an undergraduate degree in Agriculture and a graduate degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University. Chris and her husband Gary have a farm near Jacksonville that introduces new roses to North America. Chris currently serves as a board member of the Oregon Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and a Commissioner of the Land Conservation and Development Commission.
	Chuck McNair Chuck is a native Oregonian who grew up in Medford. After a career in the Navy and co-founding a fly fishing shop in Lake Oswego, Chuck received his law degree at Lewis and Clark College. An avid fly-fisherman, Chuck now is in his 36th year of continuous law practice strictly limited to family and business succession, estate and trust, complex business transactions, and court ordered and private arbitrations and mediations at Fowler and McNair, LLP in Medford.
	Deborah Ameen Deborah grew up on a farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and moved to the west coast in the 1980s. She's worked in health care for nearly 30 years, currently as the Chief Development Officer for Asante Health System. She serves on several local boards and as a Malcolm Badridge National Quality Award Examiner.
	Harry Piper Harry Piper was a trial attorney for most of his career. He attended Harvard University for his B.A. and was a graduate of Stanford Law School. Harry moved to the Medford area in 2004 and lives on the Rogue River near Dodge Bridge. Harry enjoys fishing and is an avid outdoorsman.
	Jeanne Taylor Jeanne Taylor has been active in the Rogue Valley community since 2003. She serves on the Southern Oregon University President's Advisory Board, the YMCA board and the Pacific Retirement Affordable Housing Board. She served on the Ashland Hospital Foundation Board for six years and on many boards in California before moving to the Rogue Valley in 2003.
	Jud Parsons Jud has a background in agriculture and manages family-owned forest and farm land in Southern Oregon. He was superintendent of Hillcrest Orchard from 1964-1995 and has served on many Boards of Directors including the Fruit Growers League, Southern Oregon Sales, and the Soil and Water Conservation District.
	Kara Olmo Occupation: Co-owner of Wooldridge Creek Winery in Grants Pass. Kara currently serves as vice-president of the Oregon Wine Board, board member for the Greater Applegate Community Development Corporation and the Three Rivers District Schools Foundation as well as being an active member of the Southern Oregon Winery Association, Rogue Valley Winegrowers Association and the Applegate Valley Vintners Association. Photo credit:...
	Karen DeBoer Karen moved to Ashland with her family in 1949 and grew up along the banks of Bear Creek. She developed a love for the outdoors during her years in Alberta, Canada, where she ran a large cattle ranch. Karen serves on the Ashland Family YMCA Board and the board of a domestic violence organization. She also has served on the board of the Ashland Community Hospital Foundation.
	Karen Smith Karen was a founding member and board member of both the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy and the Lower Table Rock Stewardship Committee. She served on several committees for the City of Ashland and for ten years as a member and past president of the Oregon Parks Association. Photo credit: Judith Pavlik
	Nancy Tait Nancy has 30 years experience in the Retail and Direct Marketing industries. She currently serves on the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Board of Directors and was a past Board President. She is the former President and CEO of Bear Creek Corporation and is also a past member of the Oregon Economic & Community Development Commission, the Oregon Internet Commission, the International Trade Commission,...
	Paul Imperia, MD Paul grew up in New York City and moved to the Rogue Valley in 1991. He joined the Medical Eye Center in Medford, where he has been a partner and practicing ophthalmologist. Paul is a volunteer cataract surgeon for the third world blind and is on the clinical advisory board for the Himalayan Cataract Project. He enjoys fly-fishing, backpacking, cycling, trail running and home winemaking.
	Sam Whitford Sam is a real estate Broker with Colwell Banker Prowest in Ashland. He has served as President of the Southern Oregon Historical Society Foundation, the Southern Oregon Humane Society, the Phoenix-Talent Education Association and the Rogue Valley Art Association. He currently is a member of the Ashland Historic Commissions. Photo credit: Judith Pavlik
	Sarah Sameh Sarah is the Operations Manager for Massif Mountain Gear. She has worked and volunteered for non-profit organizations for over fifteen years, serving as the executive director of two statewide organizations. She provides training and consultation to local and national workplace fundraising federations and serves on several boards of directors. Sarah holds a master’s degree in Applied Psychology with a focus on Organizational Training and Development.
	Steve Swearingen Steve was raised in the Rogue Valley and retired in 2007 after a 33-year career in the Title and Escrow business. He has served on numerous boards, serving over 20 years on the Josephine County Fair Board, Past President and board member of Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc. (SOREDI) and past President of the Grants Pass Rotary Club.
	William (Bill) Thorndike, Jr. Bill is a third generation Rogue Valley resident and chairman of Medford Fabrication, a family owned business in operation for over 60 years. Bill serves on several local, state and national boards including the Oregon Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Crater Lake Foundation and the Natural Areas Foundation.