The 2007/2008 Board of Directors:

The NWCPRD Board of Directors holds all regularly scheduled meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:00 pm at the Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue Department meeting room. For more information on board meetings, please call the NWCPRD office at 296-9533.

Catherine Whalen          Stacey Romney            Jesse Birge             Dean Dollarhide          Bob Ringer   

Bios

Catherine Whalen, Board President 

    Catherine has lived in The Dalles since 1982.  She is married , and  has three children.  Catherine is the Director of Community Initiatives at the Mid Columbia Medical Center and is an Examiner for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

    Her hobbies include cycling, gardening, and gourmet cooking. 

    Catherine believes that quality parks and recreation programs contribute to
a healthy community.  "Our parks and recreation programs have long been a part of my family.  Summers at Sorosis park watching my daughter play softball, at the Riverfront Park watching our youngest play roller hockey and our eldest was a windsurfing instructor for Parks and Rec before going off to college.  I am privileged to serve on this board, which is dedicated to maximizing our green spaces and creating more opportunities for our community to enjoy them."  says Catherine.

Stacey Romney, Vice President

    Stacey and her husband Peter moved to the Gorge 7 years ago for job opportunities after having visited the gorge on many occasions to enjoy windsurfing and mountain biking.  Stacey is employed at Mid Columbia Medical Center as a physical therapist and likes the variety of patient care offered in a rural setting.

    Stacey and Peter have 4 rambunctious boys with the last one arriving just a month ago.  She was spurred on to run for the park and recreation board by her friends who felt that she would be a good voice to represent children’s programming as well as to encourage further recreational opportunities for all ages.  She feels that “there is a need in our growing community to conserve and develop green space.  In a small town, the youth particularly need recreational opportunities and a safe place to hang out.”

    Stacey and Peter have enjoyed coaching baseball, soccer and roller hockey.  In the rare instance when they aren’t watching a little league baseball game, chasing after a 4 year old, helping with homework or tending to a newborn they like to pursue their hobbies of windsurfing, bicycling, snowboarding, camping and photography.    

Jesse Birge, Secretary

    Jesse was born August 18, 1950 in Two Harbors, Minnesota.  His family moved to The Dalles when he was two years old and his father was diagnosed with Tuberculosis and was admitted to the state TB sanitarium (located where the college is now).

    Jesse graduated from The Dalles High School in 1968 and entered a carpenter’s apprenticeship.  In October of 1970 he married Kim Campbell at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.  They are the proud parents of Michelle Harrington and grandparents of Katie and Michael.

    Jesse worked as a union carpenter for several years & as carpenter for Martin Marietta Aluminum until the plant closed.  When Northwest Aluminum opened he returned to work as the plant carpenter for 13 years and maintenance supervisor for 2 years.  With the closure of the plant, Jesse returned to school at Chemeketa Community College receiving a degree in Building Inspection Technology in June of 2004.  Jesse is employed as the Inspector/Plans examiner for the City of Hood River.

    Jesse has been involved with youth activities for several years coaching Little League baseball for the old Western Little League for 10 years and Babe Ruth for 5 years.  These days he enjoys spending his spare time camping, playing cards with friends, golfing and spending time with his grandchildren.

Bob Ringer, Director

    Bob has lived in The Dalles for 30 plus years, raising 2 boys and helping raise 4 grandchildren.

    Bob believes that our kids are our most important assets, therefore 20 years he has dedicated every spare moment to Little League and youth activities.  Bob is involved with the Board because he believes in Parks and Rec and maintaining quality recreation facilities and programs.