James Tiefenthaler, Board President

James has been a river advocate for years, and is Assistant Manager of Portland’s Pearl District REI. James has years of experience in traveling rivers and has participated in many educational efforts related to river paddling, and getting people to experience rivers first hand through his work at REI, Outward Bound, and the Washington Water Trails Association. He leads multiple trips and talks for REI about where to paddle in the NW, and has a well defined passion for clean and healthy rivers. James will be working with WR’s River Discovery Program Committee. Welcome James!

 

Amy Schoener, Secretary

For nearly two decades Ms. Schoener has lived west of Philomath and has been very much involved with the Marys River Watershed Council. As a local landowner, she has been a Council Chairperson of their water quality/quantity committee, and has been involved with investigating river issue. In addition she often just enjoys the beauty of this peaceful Willamette tributary, from kayak, canoe or shore.

 

Roxanne Tenscher, Treasurer

Roxanne is an outdoor’s expert and river runner. When she is not hiking with her husband, such as on her recent 500 mile trek along the southern most portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, she can be found paddling in the Portland Metro area. A long-time river advocate, joining the Friends of the River in California in the 1970s, she has been active in river travel ever since. She has devoted much of her time to educating people about how best to appreciate, protect, and enjoy rivers through her volunteer and professional work as an Assistant Manager of REI in Portland. Roxanne will be dedicating time and energy to WR’s River Discovery Program. Welcome Roxanne!

 

Joe Coffman,

One of Willamette Riverkeeper's founding members, Joe is a dedicated river advocate, having worked with Willamette River issues for over a decade. He was the principal author of WR's 2000 Toxics Report, and has dedicated many hours to our cause over the years.

 

 

Barbara Dale May

Ms. May has been a Riverkeeper member and River Guardian for over five years, she has participated in almost every Paddle Oregon event as a pod leader and is always looking for ways to introduce others to the River and Willamette Riverkeeper. As a River Guardian, Barbara dutifully watches over and reports about everything from eagle sightings to new gravel operations on Rivermiles 175-169 in Eugene. When not keeping an eye on the River, Barbara is often paddling other Oregon rivers, leading cultural adventure trips in Costa Rica, and getting the most out of her recent retirement from teaching Spanish Literature at the University of Oregon.

John Cooney

John has a background in biology, and has volunteered as a naturalist on Paddle Oregon for several years. These trips heightened his interest and knowledge of the Willamette and its challenges. John is widely known for his work with Eugene based KLCC Public Radio, and his popular program “The Natural World.” For the last ten years, John’s programhas transported listeners to natural areas around the Pacific Northwest through sounds and verbal images, exploring the natural and human history of places close to home. His background as a broadcaster has taught him that education and awareness are very effective tools in protecting and restoring the environment, and he looks forward to contributing time, energy, and creativity toward this worthy cause!

Will Levenson

Will is co-owner of Popina Swimwear and the creator and principal organizer of The Big Float. Will’s first river love was the New River in Southwestern Virginia where he took his first inner-tube ride. Will’s passion is advocating for downtown Portland human access into the Willamette River. He dreams of a day in the not too distant future when the Willamette River is reclaimed in the hearts of the Portland citizenry and he can’t wait to witness the transformation this will bring to the city. If you have a secret swimming hole you would like to share, visit Will at Popina.

Frank Armendariz

Frank is a waterman. He grew up surfing, fishing and diving along the California coast, and has lived in Oregon since 1979. An avid boater, Frank and his wife Tami have descended dozens of the great western rivers of the U.S. in rafts and drift boats. In his spare time he is also a master fly angler and has logged thousands of miles in canoes and kayaks. For the last 30 years Frank has been involved in promoting recreational adventure sports in Oregon as a small business owner, guide, and outfitter for anglers (River Trail Outfitters). A strong advocate for the conservation of Oregon’s natural resources, Frank is a past chapter president of both the Federation of Fly Fishers and the Association of Northwest Steelheaders. An active member of the McKenzie River Guides Association, Frank loves to fish, has a passion for wooden McKenzie style river boats, river camping, and moving water. When he is not guiding anglers on the river, or running his shuttle service for paddlers or cyclists, he volunteers his time at Eugene’s Network Charter School where he teaches young people to fish as a registered Oregon Responsible Angling Instructor.