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MCEDD Board of Directors

MCEDD is governed by a twenty member board of directors representing the five counties of the district (5), a representative of the cities of each county (5), representatives of the Ports (2) and Chambers of Commerce (2) of each state, as well as six private sector representatives from either agriculture, business, industry, labor, finance, education, utilities, healthcare, telecommunications, or minorities.

Mr. Paul Pearce, Chairperson*
Economic Interest: Skamania County Commissioner
Constituency: Skamania County
 

Ms. Barbara Briggs, Vice-Chairperson*
Economic Interest: Hood River County Commissioner
Constituency: Hood River County

 
Mr. Dan Ericksen, Secretary/Treasurer*
Economic Interest: Wasco County Commissioner
Constituency: Wasco County
Dan Ericksen, Wasco County Judge, took office in 2003 after serving 6 years as County Commissioner and another 18 years on County committees, mostly dealing with land use. He and his wife, Kay, graduated from Oregon State Univ. in 1974 and have been raising cherries in The Dalles for the last 30 years. As third generation orchardists, they currently operate 150 acres.

Mr. Steve Burnet, Executive Committee*
Economic Interest: Sherman County Commissioner
Constituency: Sherman County

 
Mr. Harold Haake, Executive Committee
Economic Interest: Private Sector
Constituency: Utilities Representative
Harold Haake represents Utilities on the MCEDD board. He worked for Electric Utilities and a utility related business for 45 years in various Engineering and Management positions. He is now retired and enjoying numerous activities not related to Utility work.
Mr. David Sauter, Executive Committee*
Economic Interest: Klickitat County Commissioner
Constituency: Klickitat County
 
Dr. Susan Wolff, Executive Committee
Economic Interest: Columbia Gorge Community College
Constituency: Labor
Susan Wolff is currently the Chief Academic Officer at Columbia Gorge Community College. Prior to this position, Susan held instructional leadership and academic positions at both the community college and university levels. She directs Wolff Designs as an educational and facilities design planner and has acheived national and international recognition for her work and publications.

Mr. Ken Bailey
Economic Interest: Private business
Constituency: Agriculture

Ken Bailey is Vice President and Shareholder in Orchard View Farms, Inc. Orchard View grows, packs and ships premium fresh cherries for domestic and international sales and grows some pears and wine grapes. It is a 4th generation family business founded in 1923. Ken returned to the farm after his graduation from Oregon State University with a BS in horticulture. Ken and his wife Shirley have three grown children and six grandchildren.
Ms. Jan Brending
Economic Interest: City of Bingen
Constituency: Cities of Klickitat County
Jan Brending represents the Cities of Klickitat County (Bingen, Goldendale and White Salmon). She has been employed as City Clerk Treasurer for the City of Bingen since 1999 and previously worked for the Columbia River Gorge Commission as Administrative Assistant.

Mr. Chuck Daughtry
Economic Interest: Port of Cascade Locks
Constituency: Oregon Ports

Chuck Daughtry has been the General Manager of the Port of Cascade Locks since 2001and has over 20 years experience in the public port industry. As Port Manager, Chuck has been working to expand the tourism industry segment within Cascade Locks by attracting private investment in the local community. Chuck has a BS in Finance from the University of Oregon and an MBA from Washington State University.
Mr. Bill Dick
Economic Interest:
Constituency: Cities of Wasco County
 
Mr. Bruce Edwards
Economic Interest: Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce
Constituency: Washington Chambers of Commerce
Bruce Edwards relocated to the Goldendale area from Richland, WA in March 2003. He is a board member with the Klickitat County Recreation District, committee member with the City of Goldendale Economic Development, and member of the Greater Goldendale Chamber of commerce. He is married with two children, a daughter and son.
Mr. Rodger Ford
Economic Interest: Port of Klickitat Commissioner
Constituency: Washington Ports
Rodger Ford of Lyle, Washington owns and operates R & M Game Bird Ranch. His company raises pheasant and chukar for release to hunt as well as restaurant use. He has been a Port of Klickitat Commissioner and has been living in the Gorge since 1974.
Mr. Howard Houston
Economic Interest: City of Stevenson
Constituency: Cities of Skamania County
Howard Houston serves as counselor and advisor to small businesses as Skamania County's representative from the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). He is also Vice-Chair of the EDC.Howard has a BA, LLB and JD from Harvard University. He is a former business executive in retailing, manufacturing and services.
Mr. Cliff Jett
Economic Interest: Rufus City Mayor
Constituency: Cities of Sherman County
 
Ms. Lorena Lowell
Economic Interest: Private business
Constituency: Minority
 
Mr. Randy Holmstrom
Economic Interest:  Cascade Locks City Council
Constituency: Cities of Hood River County
 

Ms. Doris Schmidt
Economic Interest: The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce
Constituency: Oregon Chambers of Commerce

Doris Schmidt was born and raised in The Dalles, Oregon. She spent 18 years working for Electronic Data Systems throughout the US. She started and currently owns e-Service, a web development firm in The Dalles (opened in 1999). She is the President-elect of The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce.

Ms. Nancy White
Economic Interest: Private business
Constituency: Business

Nancy White owns Custom Interface in Bingen, Washington. Se is currently the president of the Gorge Technology Alliance.
Ms. Dianne Storby
Economic Interest: Private, Non-Profit
Constituency: Healthcare Representative
Dianne Storby has been functioning in an executive leadership position in healthcare and has been actively involved with hospital boards for the past 15 years. Dainne attended the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. She came to Mid Columbia Medical Center in January 1997. Dianne has two children, a son and daughter.

* Denotes members of the Revolving Loan Fund Committee

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last updated: July 18, 2008
All contents of this site are copyright © 2005 MCEDD, unless otherwise noted.
Contact MCEDD for more information:
515 East Second Street • The Dalles, OR 97058
 phone: (541) 296-2266  • fax: (541) 296-3283