Board Members

John moved from Eugene five years ago with his husband Kevin when they purchased acreage in McKenzie Bridge. Following the Holiday Farm Fire, he served as the manager for the relief efforts which were operated out of the Upper McKenzie Community Center and got interested in this old building and it’s rich history. He is using his background in construction, interior design, and his degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon to help the Upper McKenzie Community Center move forward as our entire community rebuilds.

Marla and her husband Kurt had retired from the Grocery industry in 2009, and after 50+ years in SoCal they desired less people and more green!  They looked all over NorCal, OR, WA & BC and thought about giving up but in 2015 they found their home online after their daughter moved to Redmond. Marla and Kurt found wonderful people in the area and enjoy helping with a number of things including the Library and UMCC. 

After falling in love with the McKenzie River while on a family camping trip, the Brownlee’s bought Horse Creek Lodge in 2011, and moved to the area permanently in 2013. Alyssa and Gary raised two children who graduated from McKenzie High School, while managing a growing business that includes lodging, whitewater rafting, shuttles, bike rentals and more. With a background in education, Alyssa is an active member of the local school board and serves on several committees throughout the community and the county.

Michele moved to McKenzie Bridge in 2020 from Ashland, OR where she worked with cultural nonprofit organizations. She retired from teaching business entrepreneurship at a tribal college in Montana and brings her business finance skills to the Upper McKenzie Community Center as its Treasurer and Grant Writer. She has worked as a grant manager with numerous foundations and nonprofit organizations. She has a Master’s in Business Administration and her PhD is in Community Economic Development.

Judy Roth and her husband Steve moved to the McKenzie Bridge community in late 2020 after losing their Santiam Canyon home to the Beechie Creek Fire over the 2020 Labor Day weekend. They also maintain a residence in Chicago, IL.  Judy retired from her work as a therapist in 2021, having worked for over 40 years with survivors of trauma.  Understanding the losses associated with wildfire on a very personal level, Judy hopes to contribute to the rebuilding of this community through participation on the Upper McKenzie Community Center board, focusing on ways to support community members as they heal and work to restore their homes and their communities.  

Liz moved to McKenzie Bridge in 2018 after falling in love with the area many years ago, and was even married in McKenzie Bridge in 2015.  Liz has been a Registered Nurse for over 11 years in the Portland and Bend areas and also has a business instructing Wilderness First Aid, First Aid and CPR courses. Liz believes that the community center can be a valuable resource for the community, and she wants to offer a variety of events and activities that will appeal to people of all ages and interests.

Kathy has lived in the McKenzie area since she started teaching at McKenzie Elementary in 1977, where she started the Outdoor School and later served on the school board for several years.  Before retiring, she also worked for the McKenzie Ranger District and HJ Andrews Experimental Forest.  Since 2000 she has been on the McKenzie Education Foundation Board and is now signing up pre-schoolers to receive free books from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.  Elected to the Lane Electric Board in 2014, she is currently Vice-President, chairing the Scholarship Committee and running for re-election.

Leah's info coming soon! 

Jenny's info coming soon! 

Emily's info coming soon!