September 23, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Ten community and business leaders whose collective professional backgrounds encompass an extensive range of knowledge and expertise were elected to the Oregon Symphony Association Board of Directors at today’s annual meeting, announced Symphony President William A. Ryberg. The new board members are Robert Bedritis, Jill Schnitzer Edelson, Julia Furnary, John S. Gilleland, Dr. Tom Goodman, Marty Schwab Harris, Kelly Johnson, Mary Jean Thompson, Mark Trinchero and Linda Yoshida.
“The quality of board members an organization attracts is unquestionably one mark of its measure in the community,” said Ryberg. “Each of these individuals brings a unique wealth of knowledge and experience that reflects the community’s excitement for the Oregon Symphony under the leadership of Music Director Carlos Kalmar.”
Maria M. Pope, Chair of the Symphony Board, agreed. “This level of leadership will translate that excitement into future prosperity,” she said. “I am grateful to everyone on the Governance Committee, particularly Committee Chair Jim Dulcich, for their help in securing such an outstanding slate of candidates.”
Elected to second three-year terms were Doug Carlson, Barbara Giesy, Larry Helmke, Stephen Lynch, Duane McDougall and Walter Weyler. Michael Opton and Maria Pope were elected to third three-year terms. Ex officio members of the board are Ryberg; Connie Clark, president of the Friends of the Oregon Symphony; Linda Bednarz, president of the Oregon Symphony Association in Salem; and Mark Kralj, chair of the Oregon Symphony Foundation Board.
Board officers for the 2005-2006 season, elected at a board meeting following the annual meeting, are: Maria Pope, Chair; Duane McDougall, Chair-Elect; Jeffrey T. Grubb, Vice Chair; M. Lee Pelton, Vice Chair; Susan D. Keil, Immediate Past Chair; Jim Dulcich, Secretary; and Tina L. Foster, Treasurer. The board also offered one-year board appointments to Carol Gardner, Ron Parker and Rich Keller and additional one-year appointments to Rich Brown and J. Clayton Hering.
Robert Bedritis comes from an investment background and is the Managing Director for McDonald Financial Group, the private bank and wealth management group for KeyBank. “As one of the largest arts organizations in the Pacific Northwest, the Oregon Symphony maintains a steadfast commitment to its long-held traditions of artistic excellence, educational outreach and community service,” said Bedritis. “I am excited to be involved with the Oregon Symphony as it continues to set standards of performing excellence and imaginative programming.”
Jill Schnitzer Edelson holds an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She is on the board of Schnitzer Steel Industries, co-chaired the 2003-2004 fundraising campaign for the Riverdale School District Foundation and has been active in the National Charity League. Edelson said she wants to raise awareness of the Symphony’s programs within the community and target her efforts at the next generation of Symphony audiences.
Julia Furnary has been a season ticket-holder since she and her husband arrived in Portland 13 years ago. She is a board member of the Catlin Crest Community Association. “We treasure the time that we spend together listening to music,” said Furnary. “Each of our four children plays an instrument, and the patrons and musicians we’ve met through the Oregon Symphony have enriched all of our lives.”
John S. Gilleland is President and Vice Chairman of The Campbell Group, a timberland investment industry company. “I have always been impressed with the quality of the Oregon Symphony’s music, and equally impressed with its mission of children’s programs and outreach to areas outside of Portland,” said Gilleland. “I am honored to join such a dedicated group of board members as the Symphony moves to an even more impressive level.”
Dr. Tom A. Goodman is a retired diagnostic radiologist and a pianist since childhood. As a board member, Goodman said he hopes to increase community interest in the symphony, enhance its financial stability and contribute to the Symphony’s ever-increasing musical excellence.
Marty Harris’ family has a long history of Symphony involvement. “I am thrilled to continue a family tradition by serving on the Symphony’s board; my mother, Barbara Schwab, was a board member instrumental in starting the youth concerts, and my aunt, Mildred Schwab was very active in supporting the musical arts throughout the city,” she explains. Harris has an extensive career background in finance, serving as Director of the Delaware State Housing Finance Agency and Economic Development Director for the Portland Development Commission.
Kelly J. Johnson is the Senior Managing Director for RBC Dain Rauscher in Oregon and currently serves on the boards of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and SW Washington and Doernbecher Children Hospital Foundation. “As community leaders, we have the responsibility to support organizations that will improve the quality of life in our city, as well as our state,” said Johnson. “By having a world class organization such as the Oregon Symphony, we can continue to attract and retain professionals as well as intellectual talent from all parts of the world.”
Mary Jean (Schrunk) Thompson’s work as an interiordesigner has received national recognition and numerous design awards through her company, Thompson Design Associates. She serves on the alumni board of Lewis & Clark College. Thompson, who has a B.M. in music from Lewis and Clark, believes her early training in music is directly linked to her career as a designer. “Music has enriched my life and launched me into a different career; I want to give something back through the Oregon Symphony.” Thompson is a fifth generation Oregonian.
Mark Trinchero is a partner in the Portland office of Davis Wright Tremaine, L.L.P. and represents clients in the telecommunications industry. He is a member of the Oregon State Bar Association’s Executive Committee on Utility Law. “The Symphony is a jewel in Portland’s crown,” said Trinchero. “It touches people’s lives throughout the metropolitan area and the entire state. As a board member I hope to do my best to ensure that the community it serves continues to cherish and fully support this important institution.”
Linda Yoshida has a long history in Oregon’s arts community. She has served on Portland’s Regional Art and Culture Council (RACC) and was appointed by former Governor John Kitzhaber to the Oregon Arts Commission, where she worked to bring more attention and funding to the arts in Oregon. She is also the director of Yoshida’s Fine Art Gallery. “I would love have a small part in bringing more attention to the caliber of outstanding musicians developing under Carlos Kalmar’s direction.”
NOTE: Most Board member photos are available at www.orsymphony.org/media. Select photo directory (on left column of screen), then go to the Board of Directors link.
