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Meet the Oregon State Marine Board and Marine Director
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| Member Rick Allen- Chair |
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Terms: 2005-2009 and 2009-2013
Rick Allen has been a Board member for nearly two terms. Allen is a former Mayor and County Commissioner in Central Oregon and is active in the area, serving on the Deschutes River Conservancy Board. Rick is currently the City Manager in La Pine working part time in Oregon’s newest city. In addition he has operated several business interests and today is active in real estate, property management and development.
Allen while growing up was introduced to boating at a young age. His father purchased a boat house off Marine Drive adjacent to Government Island where he spent many summer days on the Columbia River. As a teenager he moved to the desert of Central Oregon where the Deschutes River, John Day River and Cove Palisades State Park were near his back door.
His boating experience originally was motorized, however he fell in love with rafting. He has floated the major rivers of the west for more than 30 years. With over 100 trips down the Deschutes and John Day Rivers each, he calls them home. Rick has been instrumental in the declaration of the John Day River to be navigable. As a rural resident he understands the balance between land owner rights, ranching and the rights of the public to access Oregon’s rivers. He believes both can be achieved, “nobody has exclusive rights, we must share the water and be respectful and realistic in how we approach the use of the bed and banks along Oregon’s waterways,” according to Allen.
As the population increases and the types of use change in Oregon, Rick looks forward to the dialogue between the users on how to use the waterways. “We have a big state with lots of opportunities for everybody to enjoy the outdoors in Oregon. My involvement with the Oregon State Marine Board has given me the opportunity to help participate in the discussion to assure a balance is maintained so that all users can continue to recreate.”
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| Member Brian Carroll -Vice Chair |
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Term 2009 - 2013
I believe that it is important for people to share their knowledge, skills and expertise with their community, for the community's sake and to protect and preserve the environment we all live in. Throughout my life, I have been involved in public service and I have both a personal and professional interest in marine and boating issues. For over 25 years I have recreated on the waters of the Pacific Northwest and have enjoyed both motorized and non-motorized boating activities including: fishing, crabbing, wake boarding, kayaking, rafting and canoeing. I also enjoy other forms of outdoor recreation such as mountain biking, hiking, and backpacking.
Over the years I have developed concerns about the ever increasing, competing interests on the waters. I have watched with great interest how the Oregon State Marine Board has navigated these difficult competing interests, and I believe I have the knowledge, ability and desire to assist with solving the tough issues facing the Oregon State Marine Board. My education, love of the outdoors and professional background make me well suited for listening and making decisions regarding marine issues at the Marine Board.
While I was in college I attended classes in managing marine facilities, and surveyed the recreating public regarding marine safety and facility needs. As a graduate of a natural resource college, I received training in many conservation fields like wildlife, fisheries and environmental science, which are relevant to managing Oregon waterways. Professionally I have managed marine facilities throughout my career, which has given me the opportunity to interact with many of the groups that work and recreate on Oregon’s waterways. I have worked closely with other government agencies around the State of Oregon and have become very familiar with the issues facing the environment, boating public and the Oregon State Marine Board. I believe with my experience and background I can bring a unique prospective which can help solve the environmental and boating issues facing Oregon. As the state’s population continues to grow, many of the challenges facing Oregon’s waterways, such as, boating safety, increased pressure on the environment, conflicts between user groups, over crowding and access will intensify. I believe it will take knowledgeable, well- rounded people with a desire to listen to all of the diverse marine interests around the state to solve these pressing issues.
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| Member Jen Tonneson |
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Term: 2011-2015
 Jen Tonneson, whose term began May 10, is co-owner of Rocky Pointe Marina and Boatyard on the Columbia River. Tonneson has served as a board member for the Waterfront Organization of Oregon, has also been involved with the Multnomah County River Patrol on crime and wake issues and has worked with the U.S. Power Squadron of Beaverton to organize annual vessel safety checks at the Rocky Point Marina. Tonneson’s experience also includes developing and implementing fire safety training, and a course on electric shock drowning prevention. Tonneson’s interest in serving on the Marine Board stems from “being driven by my vested interest in healthy waterways, a thriving maritime industry and the safe accessibility for all users.”
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| Member Jean Quinsey |
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Term: 2011-2015
 Jean Quinsey, whose term begins in July, has lifelong experience as a boater. Quinsey and her family enjoy many types of boating including angling, sailing, whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing. Jean is very active with the competitive paddling sports of dragon boating and outrigger canoe racing. Quinsey also serves as a Board Member of the Wasabi Paddling Club in Portland and was an integral member of the Holgate Channel Working Group striving to find common ground to address user conflicts in the area. “My desire to be a Marine Board Member comes from wanting to give voice to the increasing numbers of non-motorized craft on our waterways and to work toward creating a safer and cleaner environment for all boaters,” said Quinsey.
“I am very excited about the appointment of Ms. Quinsey and Ms. Tonneson. Their boating backgrounds and experiences will be great additions to the Marine Board,” said Marine Director Scott Brewen.
Marine Board members serve a four-year term and are permitted to serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
| Member Val Early |
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Term: 2012-2016
Board member Early’s love for the waterways happened at a young age. While sitting on the front steps of the family farm home, she witnessed her father helping rescue neighbors to higher ground by using his tractor to tow whatever belongings he could salvage. This event would later become known as the “Great ’64 Flood,” where many rivers became mini-oceans, engulfing everything in their path. This situation instilled her lifelong respect and fascination with waterways.
Early’s father, Cal Wade, held a seat on the Marine Board in the 1970’s, and through his service, she was exposed to boating issues in Oregon, while becoming proficient in operating drift boats and other watercraft on the Rogue River.
Early holds a U.S. Coast Guard Uninspected Passenger Vessel License. She also is an owner/operator of Early Fishing, Inc., a fishing guide service that is registered to operate in Oregon, California and Alaska.
In addition to Early’s boating experience she has volunteered with many organizations on river conservation and habitat including the ODFW Fall Chinook Conservation Plan, USFS National Center for Wild and Scenic River Excellence Working Group, Chetco Watershed Council, Brookings Harbor Safe-N-Sober, and other outdoor events that promote fishing, conservation and safety.
Early hopes that through her role on the Marine Board, she’s able to inspire current and future generations to take responsibility for their behavior, become stewards of the waterways and to increase participation in clean boating programs. Early desires working cooperatively to resolve issues between boating groups and would like to be a part of the conversation that seeks solutions through education or other interventions before asserting more regulations.
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Pictured: Client Linda Carpenter (left) with Board Member Val Early (right) and their "catch-of-the-day."
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| Director Scott Brewen |
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Joined the Marine Board in April, 2010
Like many, my love of boating began at a young age, going fishing with my grandparents on their 16 foot Valco, canoeing with my parents, and eventually spending a few summers enjoying my parent’s ski boat. Even when we weren’t boating, we camped at the beach and along rivers and lakes. Water activity seemed to always be a central part of life.
After high school, I had the opportunity to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy where I learned about navigation, seamanship, maritime law, leadership and other topics to prepare me for a commission in the Coast Guard. I spent my summers on ship, at Coast Guard stations, and USCGC EAGLE, the Coast Guard’s 299 foot sailing barque. While in the Coast Guard I served on three ships, Navigator of USCGC BOUTWELL out of Alameda, on exchange with the U.S. Navy as the Combat Information Center Officer on USS OLDENDORF in San Diego, and as Commanding Officer of USCGC ORCAS in Coos Bay. I also enjoyed one shore tour as the Executive Officer of the Pacific Area Training Team, with responsibility to train all Coast Guard units in maritime operations and law enforcement in the Pacific Area. In the Coast Guard, I served as a law enforcement boarding officer and law enforcement instructor as well. On the side, I earned my unlimited tonnage Chief Mates license and 1600 ton Masters License.
After leaving the Coast Guard, I have continued to serve in public safety, first in training management roles at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training and then at the Department of Corrections where I worked in training and other human resources related jobs. After a short hiatus, I rejoined the military, but this time with the Navy in the Strategic Sealift Reserves.
I hold a B.S. in Mathematics from the Coast Guard Academy and an MBA from Portland State University.
At the Marine Board I hope to continue the great work that this agency has done for over a half century, serving the boaters of Oregon.
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