Meet Our Team
Our Staff
Seth Miller, Executive Director
Seth first became involved with Oregon Parks Forever in 2011 as the leader of a Community Partners project for the Harvard Business School Association of Oregon. His team worked with the Foundation Board and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to develop a long-term strategy for the Foundation. He joined the Board in 2014 and later became Executive Director in early 2016.
Seth brings strategic management, marketing, financial and process improvement expertise from several large consumer product and service companies. With more than 30 years of hands-on leadership experience, Seth has a demonstrated talent for developing a fact-based understanding of key success factors that drive both for-profit and non-profit organizations.
Susan Morningstar, Director of Membership and Communications
Susan joined Oregon Parks Forever in 2022 after many years with the Open Space Institute in New York.
Susan brings skills in coordination of communication strategy for online and direct mail fundraising, design and production of online and offline communications, website management, and designing print publications.
Molly Todd, Controller
Molly is our part-time Controller. She oversees our Bookkeeper and prepares our monthly and annual financial statements. She also coordinates with our outside auditors, Kern Thompson, as they perform our annual audit or review. She runs a firm called JNT Accounting & Controller Services, which provides part time controller and bookkeeping services to a number of for- profit, and non-profit organizations like ours.
Board of Trustees
Kevin Price, Chair (Salem)
Kevin Price began helping to connect kids from Portland’s communities of color to the outdoors more than 25 years ago, while working for Oregon State Parks as a Region Manager.
While in his role with Oregon State Parks, Price began leading field trips to the Columbia Gorge for students from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School. Price has said, “There are people who come from around the world to visit some of these scenic areas, and we have people who live within 15 or 20 miles and they’ve never been”. One of the things that Price experienced both in his professional career and with the visitors to our scenic areas, was a lack of people of color. Of the students Price took to visit the Gorge, often only a couple of students out of a group of twenty to twenty-five had visited there before.
Kevin currently serves on the board of the Oregon non-profits, SOLVE, and Friends of the Columbia Gorge. He retired from OPRD in 2018 as the State’s first black Region Manager after 35 years with the agency.
Randy Jones, Vice Chair (Bend)
Randy’s lifelong enjoyment of and commitment to NW natural resources began at an early age. His varied career began in the private sector working in wetland policy, assessment, and mitigation. He later managed development of two landmark planned mixed-use communities, Fairview Village and IronHorse.
Randy then shifted to the public sector with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, focusing on eastern Oregon regional economic development solutions and special mining
projects.
His many volunteer commitments have included serving as the chair of the BLM John Day/Snake River Resource Advisory Council. Randy’s collective experiences have given him unique insights into resource management policy, education, and public process.
Nathan Braschayko, Treasurer (Portland)
Nathan has been a public accountant since 2015 and works for the firm of Moss Adams, where he specializes in the real estate, professional services, and private closely held businesses. He has experience managing and providing both federal and state tax related compliance services relating to complex real estate transactions and planning around ordinary and capital gain tax treatment. He has helped the firm design and create a new custom tax compliance tool that leverages technology to improve and streamline business entity reporting. He is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Nathan has been exploring the outdoors in both Oregon and other states since he was young and enjoys hiking with his wife and dog on the weekends.
Samantha Taylor, Secretary (Portland)
Samantha is an attorney in K&L Gates’s Litigation Department where she works with clients on a broad range of complex commercial disputes. She is experienced in helping clients conduct internal investigations, as well as prepare for pre-trial hearings and arbitrations. Prior to joining K&L Gates she was with Tonkon Torp. Prior to that, she was a litigation associate at Katten Muchin Rosenman, LLP in North Carolina.
Samantha received her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and a J.D. with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law. While in law school, she won first place in UNC’s Holderness Moot Court 1L Competition. She also served as the Senior Articles Editor for the North Carolina Journal of Law and Technology, as a teaching assistant for an undergraduate environmental law course at Duke University, and worked as a judicial extern for the Honorable Stephani W. Humrickhouse of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Samantha enjoys hiking, antique shopping (and refinishing furniture), reading, and podcasts.
Brigitte Sutherland, Past Chair (Portland)
Brigitte is an accountant and shareholder with Perkins & Co. With more than 15 years of public and private accounting experience, Brigitte specializes in tax planning, research and compliance for pass-through entities: S-corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies. She was formerly a senior manager for Reznick Group in Bethesda, MD., where she had client responsibility for tax and assurance services. Brigitte also has experience in private industry as an assistant controller.
Sharon Clarke (Corvallis)
Sharon fell in love with Oregon when she moved here in 1980. As a regional geographer she is captivated by the beauty and variety of Oregon’s landscapes. Her passion is being outside, and she is especially drawn to water — lakes, rivers, wetlands, and the ocean. Her work for non-profits, academia, and a state agency provide a foundation for understanding the complexity of natural resource issues and the value of listening and fostering partnerships. Sharon enjoys working with others to successfully identify, prioritize, and implement actions that benefit everyone while protecting the resource.
Luke Fowler (Clackamas)
Luke’s passion around getting kids active at an early age, getting people to explore the great beauty of our area, and providing equitable opportunities to outdoor activities for all, make him a great member of the Oregon Parks Board. He currently leads Effectv (Comcast Advertising) for the State of Oregon and owns a youth physical education franchise called Kidokinetics of SE Portland. In his 15 years of working in the Advertising industry, he has learned about all kinds of different industries and how to help businesses succeed. Luke and his wife live in Happy Valley, OR along with their 2 children. They are an avid camping family, traveling all over the state of Oregon with their trailer many times throughout the year. He enjoys golf, hiking, and is a crazy Washington State Cougar fan!
Brian Harney (Portland)
Brian is the Smart Energy Program Manager for NW Natural. Brian also served as director of marketing and communications for the Washington County Visitors Association and Cycle Oregon Ride Director/Senior Events Manager for Peter Jacobsen Productions. He is affiliated with the American Lung Association, Reach the Beach (Founder), and the American Marketing Association.
Eric Levine (Portland)
Eric is a native Oregonian who grew up enjoying everything this state has to offer—from fishing on the Rogue, to skiing on Mt. Bachelor, getting loud at Autzen, and everything in between. After several years away in Missouri and the District of Columbia, Eric returned to Oregon. He is an attorney in Tonkon Torp’s litigation department, where he primarily handles appeals and complex civil litigation. In his free time you will find him on the trails, in the campgrounds, or hosting board game night with his amazing girlfriend, Emily.
Seth Miller (Portland, ex-officio)
Seth first became involved with the Foundation in 2011 as the leader of a Community Partners project for the Harvard Business School Association of Oregon. His team worked with the Foundation Board and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to develop a long-term strategy for the Foundation. He joined the Board in 2014 and later became Executive Director in early 2016.
Seth brings strategic management, marketing, financial and process improvement expertise from several large consumer product and service companies. With more than 30 years of hands-on leadership experience, Seth has a demonstrated talent for developing a fact-based understanding of key success factors that drive both for-profit and non-profit organizations.
Stu Spence (LaGrande)
Stu Spence received a Bachelors Degree in Parks & Recreation Management from Central Washington University. To start his professional career, he began at the Kirkland Boys & Girls Club in the Seattle area as a youth development professional, eventually becoming their Program Director. After that, he returned home to Ellensburg, Washington as that Youth Programs Director for their Youth & Community Center. After about 5 years there, he moved to Woodburn, Oregon where he served as the Recreation Services Manager, and finally, he landed in La Grande, Oregon assuming the role of Parks & Recreation Director. Stu has been an active member of the Oregon Recreation & Parks Association serving as secretary and president of the board, local scouting programs, and Union County Safe Communities Coalition. He’s married to Margaret and they have two teens, Noah , and Gracie . He’s excited about connecting Oregon’s rural areas to nature for everyone.
Angela Taylor (Portland)
Angela founded Accelerate Growth Solutions, a boutique consulting firm that provides services to startups, venture capital, and private equity firms across the technology, semiconductor, industrials, healthcare, and commercial real estate industries. Coming from a background that included long stints with Intel and Tektronix, Angela is now offering her experience as a networker thru PDX Connections. She believes in the power of connection. It is the foundation for building authentic relationships that fuel growth, innovation, and opportunity. She looks forward to bringing those connections to Oregon Parks Forever!
Eric Valentine (LaGrande)
Eric and his wife have lived in La Grande since 1970. Earlier, they served two years in the Peace Corps in Tonga, and then spent seven months taking the “long way” home across Asia. With their two sons, they traveled extensively across the State, enjoying its many outdoor recreational opportunities. Eric served as an Oregon trial judge for Union and Wallowa Counties for twenty years. After retiring, he filled in across the state as a Senior Judge for another ten years. He was a Scoutmaster for Troop 514 for twenty years, and continues to help out in the Troop.
After retiring in 2003, Eric and a friend sectioned hiked approximately 1200 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail. He is an avid photographer whose pictures have been published regionally, including the covers of the Oregon Blue Book in 1995/96 and 2001/02
Advisory Council
Governor Barbara Roberts
The first woman Governor of Oregon, Barbara served as Governor from 1991-1995. Barbara has been a long time advocate for Oregon’s parks and has been a quiet, behind-the-scenes supporter of our organization always standing ready to provide counsel and introductions for us.
Bruce Barnes
A long-time former Chairman of Oregon State Parks Foundation. Bruce is retired and pursuing his passion for plant identification through a nonprofit he runs called Flora-id.org.
Cal Mukumoto
Cal is the Director of the Oregon Department of Forestry. Previously he served as Chairman of the Oregon Parks Commission until his term ended in mid-2021. He had served on the Commission as the Governor-appointed representative of Congressional District 4 for nine years, since 2012. Cal has been heavily involved in natural resource management throughout his career. He has worked extensively in the Native American business community, served on the Boards of six Tribal enterprises, and is also a graduate level forester who has managed all aspects of forests.
Chrystal Morris-Murphy
Chrystal Morris Murphy is a strategy and stakeholder engagement maven. In her former role as senior vice president of partnerships at the National Park Foundation, she built the capacity and engagement strategies for park philanthropy and other nonprofit park partners including organizations working in historic preservation, land conservation, environmental education, youth engagement and outdoor recreation. She is now a strategy, stakeholder engagement and leadership development consultant with clients serving the park community. She is also a Western National Parks board member and sings tenor in the Maryland Chorale Society.
Dennis Gleason
Dennis is a Senior Systems QA Analyst with Wells Fargo and owner of Dark Wing Productions, a non-profit focused production company. He chairs and produces the Teen Idol program and was formerly with the OMPA and Westside PAL. He has served on numerous boards including the OLMV and Oregon DECA and brings with him years of experience in project management, volunteer service and human development expertise. A was a recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Service Award for his service to many nonprofits including law enforcement agencies, schools and charities. He was also recognized as an “Everyday Hero” by KATU Channel 2 for his commitment to helping others.
Josh Schlesinger
As CEO and President of the Schlesinger Companies, Josh is responsible for the financial performance of a fourth generation family real estate portfolio that includes, office, retail, industrial, multifamily and commercial parking in Oregon and Washington.
Josh graduated with honors in Political Studies from Pitzer College and received a specialization Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Development from Portland State University in 2006. In 2015, Josh earned his MBA with a focus in finance from Portland State. He is currently serving on the Board of Trustees at Pitzer College, the Business Advisory Council at Portland State University and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Schlesinger Family Foundation.
An outdoor enthusiast, Josh enjoys walking and hiking with his wife in Tryon Creek State Park and other Oregon Parks. He is a life-long Oregonian who cares deeply about his community.
Mitsu Iwasaki
A former Board Member of Oregon Parks Forever, Mitsu is the Associate Vice President and Northwest Director for the Trust for Public Land. Prior to TPL, he was the Chief Executive Officer at the American Alpine Club, where he elevated the Club’s work in conservation policy and grassroots organizing while convening and amplifying a national equity and inclusion conversation in American climbing. Mitsu also spent a decade in Portland, OR leading the Northwest Outward Bound School and as Executive Director of the Mazmas.
Ric Luyties
Ric is a Senior Vice President, Regional Investment Manager for Wells Fargo Bank. He works with executives, families and foundations to preserve and grow their wealth, tailoring portfolios to their specific goals in a highly personalized manner.
Scott Bricker
Scott is the Interim Vice President of Destination Development at Travel Oregon, working to create robust, sustainable destinations and tourism economies that offer world-class experiences and that preserve, enhance, and celebrate local landscape and culture. Scott is a former non-profit Executive, leading America Walks for six years and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance with roles of Executive Director, Policy Director, and Education Director over 11 years. Scott earned a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning from Portland State University and Bachelors in Political Science at SUNY Albany. Scott loves to wander, eat and drink his way across Oregon and the globe. Scott lives on an urban farm with wife, daughters, chickens, bees, gardens, and various pets.
Steve Bass
Steve is the recently retired CEO of Oregon Public Broadcasting. Bass led mission expansion and financial stability at Oregon Public Broadcasting fort 17 years, despite turmoil across the media landscape.
Under his watch, OPB grew into one of the Pacific Northwest’s leading daily news sources and one of public media’s most financially stable and journalistically ambitious organizations.
Susan C. Hanson
Susan retired after 9 years at the Oregon Department of Transportation where she
managed community outreach and public information for projects that included the
Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail and the Oregon City/West Linn Arch
Bridge rehabilitation. She currently serves on the Wilsonville Public Library
Foundation Board.
Tim Wood
Tim is a retired Director of the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department. He is a former Board Member of Oregon State Parks Foundation and led the campaign to build the Cottonwood Canyon Experience Center. He is passionate about photography and travels the state extensively in pursuit of great pictures.
Walter Grebe
Walt is the Chairman emeritus at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt PC. He served on the Board of Oregon State Parks Foundation for many years.
Founding Trustees
Brian G. Booth (Portland)
Lucille S. “Lu” Beck (Lake Oswego)
Cynthia J. Ford (Portland)
Robert A. “Bob” Meinen (Salem)
William S. “Bill” Naito (Portland)
Lynn W. Newbry (Portland)
Nancy N. Russell (Portland)
L.L. “Stub” Stewart (Portland)
A. William Sweet (Portland)
David G. Talbot (Black Butte)
Former Trustees
Jennifer Allen (Portland)
Jenny Ammon (Keizer)
Terry B. Armentrout (The Dalles)
Nicole R. Palmateer Armstrong (Salem)
Bruce Barnes (Pendleton)
Carol A. Beckley (Elkton)
Vicki Berger (Salem)
Rhonda R. Bishop (Portland)
John L. Blackwell (Portland)
Laurie Munro Bloch (Portland)
Mary V. Bishop (Portland)
B. Bennett Burns (Portland)
Michael “Mike” Carrier (Salem)
Marjorie C. Chandler (Bend & Portland)
Lorrence “Larry” Cotton (Portland)
David R. Davis (Reedsport)
Lisa Dawson (Joseph)
Katie DiBiase (Troutdale)
Lea Ann Easton (Portland)
John Edmundson (Heppner)
David F. Evans (Lake Oswego)
Orcilia Zúñiga Forbes (Portland)
Dennis Gleason (Portand)
David P. Kottkamp (Bend)
Ronald B. “Ron” Gould (Portland)
James Gorter (Portland)
Walter Grebe (Portland)
Mollie Gunderson (Lake Oswego)
Mary Jane Guyer (Baker City)
Stephen Hatfield (Portland)
Theodore G. “Ted” Herzog (Portland)
Robert A. “Rob” Hinnen (Portland)
Paul J. Holman (Florence)
Gerald R. “Jerry” Hulsman (West Linn)
Mitsu Iwasaki (Portland)
Lee J. Jimerson (Portland)
Sandra “Sandy” Lazinka (Pilot Rock)
Elizabeth “Betsy” McCool (Bend)
Jennifer McCormick (Portland)
Jan McGowan (Sisters)
Nancie S. McGraw (Portland)
Richard K. “Dick” McLaughlin (Medford)
Lisa D. Fisher Miller (Milwaukie)
Janet Neuman (Portland)
Danny Newman (Portland)
Rebecca A. Owen (Portland)
James D. “Jim” Parr (Portland)
Kristen Stram Pempel (Portland)
Rudolf “Rudy” Rada (Pendleton)
Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III (Pendleton)
Lisa Sumption (Salem)
Daniel H. Skerritt (Portland)
Jon P. Stride (Portland)
Wendy Veliz (Woodburn)
Laurie A. Warner (Salem)
Tim Wood (Lake Oswego)
Kyleen Zimber (Silverton)