Ashley Schahfer, Owner, Empowering Access Founder - Consultant
Ashley has a Masters in Architecture from Portland State University. Currently, she lives in Bend, OR because of her love for the outdoors. Combined with 19-years of experience using a wheelchair, two degrees in Architecture, and a Women's studies certificate, her life mission has become thoughtful experience-based design and inclusion for the intersectional community with disabilities. She believes in the unifying force of outdoor recreation and is committed to making it accessible for everyone.
Barton Robison, Willamette Partnership
Barton knows firsthand the healing powers of nature and is passionate about removing barriers so that all Oregonians can know the benefits of time in green space. He’s one of the program leaders for the Oregon Health & Outdoors Initiative, and his strengths include facilitation, strategy development, and community engagement. Barton received his Master of Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Tribal Relations from Portland State University.
Bryce Hansen, Fish Restoration & Enhancement Program
Construction Project Manager for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Georgena Moran, ICC certified Accessibility Specialist
She is well versed in the ADA and ABA Accessibility Standards, applying them to facilities and parks, specializing in hiking trail assessments. Georgena is the founder and Project Manager of Access Recreation and the co-owner of Access for All, LLC, advocating for the rights and empowerment of people with disabilities.
Helena Kesch, Tribal Relations Coordinator & ADA Coordinator Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
Helena has 25+ years of public service, working extensively in service to others, ensuring equity and accessibility to all people. Her multicultural and multilingual skills (Russian, Portuguese, Spanish and English) have afforded her the opportunity to engage, support, and advocate for people throughout her career. Working at Department of Human Services for 20 years, Helena held positions as an Ombudsman, Tribal Liaison, and in Training & Development. She joined Oregon State Parks in 2018 as their ADA Coordinator and Policy Analyst, creating the agency’s ADA Transition Plan in 2021. In addition to her existing role, Helena was recently asked to serve as OPRD's Tribal Relations Coordinator. Helena obtained her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences from Oregon State University in 2018. Helena also completed the ADA Coordinators’ Training Certification Program (ACTCP) through the University of Missouri in 2021.
Iris Benson, Project Manager with OPRD
Iris’s education and work history reflect her deep connection and commitment to Oregon’s beautiful landscapes. She has a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon, with over 16 years experience in public sector work including landscape design, parks planning, community outreach, natural resources, parks operations, and regulatory compliance. She strongly believes in promoting equitable access to all and the legacy of public lands to ensure environmental empathy is instilled in future generations.
Janine Belleque, Boating Facilities Manager
Oregon State Marine Board
She administers six state and federal boating-related grant programs as well as manages a technical assistance program that can provide topographic and bathymetric survey, design, engineering, permitting and planning assistance to boating facility owners. Working collaboratively over the last twenty years with federal, state, local governments, boating clubs, organizations, individuals and Tribal government to develop, replace and renovate recreational boating access. She is also appointed to the federal Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council which is a federal advisory committee to the Secretary of the Interior and Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Kevin Herkamp, Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program and Salmon - Trout Enhancement Program Coordinator
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Lori Friesen, Standards Manager
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
Randy Peterson, Recreation Program Manager
Oregon Department of Forestry.
I have worked for the Oregon Department of Forestry in a Recreation Program capacity since 1993. Prior to joining ODF, I worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 5 years as a Recreation Planner for the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. In both positions I have been directly involved in recreation facility and trail system planning, design, and operations.
Tom Sayre, Local Government Grants Committee Member
Tom is an outdoor enthusiast who became a wheelchair user after injuring himself while recreating outdoors. For the past thirty years he has utilized his training in architecture, planning, construction and ADA consulting to improve accessibility in Pacific Northwest parks. His advocacy continues by serving on Clatsop County’s Recreational Lands Planning Advisory Committee and OPRD’s Local Government Grant Program Advisory Committee.