MEET OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS
Shilah Olson
|
Shilah was born and raised in Wasco County. She is an avid hunter, an outdoor enthusiast, and an animal lover to the fullest. She and her husband, Albert, have a small farm where they raise sheep and hay, and manage their forestland for grazing and wildlife. Shilah also trains and trials working stock dogs, especially her own.
Shilah graduated from Oregon State University summa cum laude in June 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management (specializing in Natural Resource Policy). In 2013, she became the Assistant Manager for Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District, and two years later in 2015, became the District Manager. Shilah has strong ties to the local community, and strives to help others create and maintain healthy, productive working landscapes through her part at the SWCD. Shilah began serving on the Wy'East Council in September of 2015, and became Wy'East Council Chair in January of 2021. Photo Credit-Cathy Brown |
Steve Kramer
|
Steve is a fourth generation Wasco County resident. He owned and operated Kramer’s Market in Dufur for 20 years before moving on to work for and eventually manage Mel’s Sanitary Service in Tygh Valley.
Governmental Service: Port of The Dalles Budget Committee, Dufur Recreational Board, Port of The Dalles Commissioner, Dufur City Council. Past and Present Community Service: Dufur Lion's Club, Dufur Fire and Ambulance, Dufur Little League Coach, Dufur Grade School Basketball Coach, Community Manager for 2 Cycle Oregon. |
Lloyd forman
|
Lloyd's grandfather homesteaded in Central Oregon in 1902 and Lloyd grew up on the farm and have lived here his entire life. Lloyd's father became actively engaged in the operation in the early 1950's. The farm consists of very fragile and highly erodible soils. His father committed a tremendous amount of time and energy in an effort to reduce soil erosion so the land would continue to be productive and provide a livelihood for those who worked it. His father's reverence for the earth instilled in him the desire to make a similar commitment.
Lloyd's dad was in involved in the SWCD District for many years as he is present. It was through the SWCD District that Lloyd was introduced to Wy'East RCD. The projects that Wy'East has championed are of a nature that he values; resource conservation, enterprise facilitation, local food networks, community gardens, and farmers markets. Lloyd's sees Wy'East as a vehicle to promote and foster a more sustainable relationship between man and his planet. |
Ron graves
|
Ron is a retired Naval Commander, who served from 1966 to 1990 and an avid rock-hound. He has a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography from Washington State University.
Ron is an experienced Project Manager skilled in Sustainability, Water Quality, Strategic Planning, Natural Resources, and Soil. He is a strong program and project management professional with a MS focused in Meteorology and Oceanography from Naval Postgraduate School. Ron served as The District Manager for the Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District from May 1990 to June 2015. He continued to work for the District part-time as the Project Manager until 2020. Ron has shown a great deal of support and has been involved with Wy'East since 1994. |
in loving memory
DENNY ROSS
|
Denny graduated from Maupin High School in 1958; University of Portland, BS Mathematics, 1963; Boise State University, MPA Public Administration, 1979; Air Force Pilot, 1963 – 4300 hours in B-52 (197 Combat Missions), FB-111, F-111F, ; Retired as Lieutenant Colonel, 1984; Boeing, 1984 – Military Aircraft Division; Retired as acting Training Manager for the F-22 Test Program, 1998;
Returned to Maupin – School District Board, (6 Years); Credit Union Board (10 Years), City Council (1999-2002), Mayor of the City of Maupin (2003-2012); League of Oregon Cities Board of Directors, 2007-2009; returning to the LOC Board in 2011 as Vice President, 2012 as President; Oregon Mayors Association Board of Directors, 2008-2010; Wy’East Council, 2005-2020, Served as Wy'East President 2014-2019; Cheap Local Band (country western, blues, geezer rock), 1999 – 2009; Coalbird (classic and current rock), 2009 - present. Also served on two Governor-appointed boards, and on Oregon Department of Transportation’s Area Commission on Transportation representing South Wasco County. |