Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah Welcomes its New Board Members
By Kevin McGraw, Board President
Growing our board of directors is part of our ongoing capacity building project, funded in part by Meyer Memorial Trust. I’m pleased to report that one returning and four new members joined Friends of Buford Park’s board this Spring. I would like to introduce and welcome them all.
Ecologist Bruce Newhouse operates Salix Associates, an environmental consulting firm, and is well known to many in the local environmental community. He has served on our Stewardship and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) since it was formed, has previously served on the board as the STAC chair, and he returns in that capacity.
Stephanie Songchild, Co-Chair of the Outreach Committee, says “I have a marvelous view of Mt. Pisgah while I stand at my kitchen sink washing dishes. As neighbor to one of the most beautiful natural landmarks in Lane County, I decided it was time to get involved with Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah and to help protect and enhance it.” Stephanie, a real estate broker at Windermere Real Estate, is excited to be using her extensive background in real estate sales and marketing for the good of the Outreach Committee. She adds, “Getting outside is one of the single greatest things we can do to inspire and heal ourselves.”
Brian Millington graduated from George Fox University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and International Business. He went on to graduate from the University of Oregon School of Law. Brian currently practices law at Thorp, Purdy, Jewett, Urness & Wilkinson, P.C. He also serves on the board of directors for the Oregon Research Institute. In the summer, he may be found canoeing the Middle Fork and Coast Fork of the Willamette River near Buford Park.
Tim Hooton has lived his whole life in rural Springfield, the last 30 years near Cupps Berry Farm off Jasper Road facing the north slope of Pisgah. He is an avid trail runner, and Mt. Pisgah is his home turf. He has worked at International Paper (formerly Weyerhaeuser) for the past 38 years, Most of his volunteering has revolved around work (union officer, Wey Co Foundation, United Way) or kids (PTA, sports). He says “When I decided to branch out, I had to look no further than out my living room window at Mt. Pisgah’s north slope and the Wildish property to know where I should get involved.”
Dean Kortge, born in The Dalles, Oregon, earned his Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Oregon College and moved on to earn his Ph.D from University of Kansas. A Senior Insurance Specialist with Pacific Benefit Consultants, Dean joins us (and the Advisory Council!) with a wealth of nonprofit board experience. He currently serves on the boards of Direction Service, Lane Transit District, Trillium Community Health Plan, and the United Way 100% access committee. We look forward to Dean’s involvement and the unique insight his years of experience brings to our board.
I’m encouraged to have such a motivated and multi-disciplined group of people join our board. The complexity of the challenges our organization faces demands a board that is not afraid to grapple with some difficult decisions. This group will be up to the task, and I’m excited about what we can accomplish.
