Board of Directors

Rich Brown - Senior Vice President, Bank of America; Portland Parks Foundation Chair

I'm a runner and love to run through Portland's parks. I am also passionate about making parks and parks programs accessible to underserved kids. Doing so will build a healthy community that will benefit every Portland resident.

Jonathan Cogan - Director, Inside Sales, N. America, Webtrends, Inc.

My kids are great consumers of Portland parks (swim lessons, camps, etc.). I would like to help make more parks and park programs accessible to all children.

Betsy Cooper – Associate Attorney, Samuels Yoelin Kantor Seymour & Spinrad

I serve on this board because I think it is important to give back to the community. I like the fact that Portland Parks Foundation assists low income children and supports open space in the city.

Nick Ehlen – Broker, Melvin Mark Companies

A city with parks is a happy city. Not only do I live on a park, but I run and walk my dog in the parks daily.  We are incredibly lucky to have a world-class parks system here in Portland. Parks increase our quality of life, provide a space for play and reflection, and enhance the beauty of our city.

Elizabeth English - Community Volunteer

We maximize our potential when we have a healthy body to support a healthy mind. Parks and park programs provide healthy alternatives for children. Young people deserve opportunities to build strength and confidence by spending time with nature and making physical activity an important element of their lives.

Charles Hales - Senior Vice President, HDR Engineering, Inc.

I want to find new ways and means to ensure access to parks facilities and programs for kids throughout the city, and see a continued decline in the juvenile obesity rate.

Kimberlynn Heller, DO - Obstetrician /  Gynecologist

I hope to improve utilization of the parks by the underserved community, improve the willingness of African American and Hispanic Americans in our community to learn to swim, hike, and explore the world around them.

Russ Jones - Retired Financial Executive; Portland Parks Foundation Treasurer

I believe it is important for all citizens to have access to green space.  In addition, park programs allow kids in difficult situations to spend at least some of their days in a welcoming environment.

Matt Koehler – Strategic Program Manager, Kryptiq

I grew up in the Portland metropolitan area and have a strong connection to the community.  My family has a long history of land conservation, and I want to do my part to ensure Portland’s parks are preserved, protected, and improved for future generations.

Doug Macy - Principal, Walker Macy

I believe that open spaces are the backbone of the community. I encourage members of my firm to contribute in various ways as volunteers, because places like the Columbia Gorge and Holly Farm Park wouldn’t exist except for volunteers.

Chet Orloff – Historian

I have a passion for Portland parks and their role in maintaining Portlanders’ sense of community and identity.

Bobbie Parisi - Marketing Consultant

I’m a passionate outdoor person, and deeply interested in keeping the parks accessible to all. I hope to use my expertise in marketing to build passion and support for Portland parks.

Geoff Roach – Oregon State Director, Trust for Public Land

I have been passionate about the creation of parks, trails, and natural areas my entire adult life and believe that a few people working together can accomplish a great deal. Parks do play an important and often transformative role for people, families, and communities. PPF will continue to play a vital role in the delivery of new parks, park and recreation opportunities, and programming opportunities for our community.

Mike Rompa - Managing Shareholder, Geffen Mesher; Portland Parks Foundation Secretary

I have two kids, and we have been users of the parks for years, especially for sports activities. Seeing Holly Farm Park and the children at play there is the reason we are all here [on the Board].

Randy Sell - Senior Vice President, Northwest Bank

I grew up in Portland parks, playing organized baseball and learning to swim at a community pool. I am proud to be part of a passionate and committed group of Board colleagues who help ensure equal access for all our citizens to participate and enjoy our rich legacy of Portland parks and park programs.

Elizabeth Whalen – Director of Corporate Responsibility & Community Engagement, PSU

Parks have always been a part of my life and a cherished part of living in Portland, but as my family has grown - first a very large Bernese Mountain dog, then a little girl and soon a new addition to our family - the importance of parks has grown as well. I know how fortunate we are to be surrounded by the incredible parks system we have and by serving on the Foundation Board, I can help ensure that this system grows and flourishes for generations to come.

Jeffrey Woodcox - Attorney, Tonkon Torp

The parks in Portland are an integral part of what makes our city so livable and unique. Personally, I appreciate the number of off-leash dog parks we have in Portland because it gives our urban pets access to a little bit of nature.

Justin Yuen - President, fmyi, Inc

Parks are an integral part of our family's life. I'm on the Foundation Board because I believe that parks are an essential part of the fabric that brings the entire Portland community together while improving quality of life.