Portland Board Members
Brian Berchtold, Board Chair, Director of Business Development
Hubbub Health
As the Director of Business Development for the innovative Hubbub Health portfolio launched by Cambia Health Solutions, Brian is responsible for generating and growing partnerships and opportunities. Prior to joining Cambia Health Solutions, Brian orchestrated funding and rapid launch of ALCiS Health, Inc.’s consumer products into over 15,000 retail locations. Additionally, Brian worked at Alliance Medical Corporation, where he implemented a new selling process that resulted in more efficient sales rates and higher productivity with the nation’s top-rated hospitals. His leadership at Collagen Canada, Ltd., led to the organization’s fastest growing world-wide subsidiary, leading to additional opportunities in Europe with Collagen (UK) where he reorganized operations and launched several products.
Sheri Alderman, Director of Marketing
Rose Quarter / AEG Facilities
Sheri is currently the Director of Marketing for AEG Facilities at the Rose Quarter, responsible for all marketing, public relations and group sales for all non-team events at the Rose Quarter facilities. Prior to the Rose Quarter, Sheri worked at other event facilities across the country, including the Wells Fargo Arena (formerly Wachovia Center) in Philadelphia, PA, the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, NC, and the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Charlotte, NC. Originally from Baltimore, MD, Sheri has a B.S. in Mathematics from Winthrop University, and began her career as a high school math teacher. She is also a volunteer Assistant Coach with Portland Fit.
Cory Dolich, Vice President of Business Operations and Marketing
Portland Timbers
2012 marks Cory’s fifth season with the Portland Timbers. In his current role as Vice President of Business Operations and Marketing, Cory manages the club’s day-to-day marketing, promotional and advertising platforms, including digital media administration, creative development, media buying, event production, Hispanic outreach and grass roots programming. Prior to joining the Portland Timbers, Cory worked for the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A’s, as their Senior Director of Ticket Development and Retention. Cory graduated from Tufts University with a degree in Economics.
Meyer Freeman, Chief Operating Officer
Oregon Sports Authority
Meyer Freeman serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Oregon Sports Authority, a non-profit organization that works to enhance Oregon's economy and quality of life through sports. During his 11 years with the organization, the Oregon Sports Authority has successfully bid for and hosted the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, Women's World Cup Soccer, Davis Cup World Final, U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the annual Dew Tour. In 2010, the Oregon Sports Authority was recognized as the "Sports Commission of the Year" by the National Association of Sports Commissions. Originally from Knappa on Oregon's north coast, Meyer received an undergraduate degree in sport management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an MBA from Willamette University.
Jeff Hern, Associate
Schwabe Williams & Wyatt
Jeff Hern is an attorney at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt. His practice focuses on representing businesses involved in complex litigation, with an emphasis on product liability litigation and commercial disputes. Mr. Hern also devotes time to advising restaurants, hotels, retail outlets and other businesses on compliance with federal and state liquor laws. Prior to joining Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, Mr. Hern earned his law degree from Willamette University College of Law and his bachelor's degree in Economics from Denison University. During his undergraduate years, he spent one year studying abroad at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand and worked as an intern for ESPN, Inc. at its corporate office in Chicago, Illinois.
Additionally, Mr. Hern is heavily involved in firm activities at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt. He devotes time to the firm's summer associate program, serves as "coach" of the Schwabe basketball and softball teams, and has "co-captained" the firm's Hood to Coast team for the past five years.
Darlene Ireland, Program Manager
Tektronix, Inc.
Darlene is a Senior Program Manager for new product development at Tektronix. In her 15 years with Tektronix, Darlene previously held roles within supply chain, manufacturing operations, and lean/six sigma process improvement. Darlene received her undergraduate degree in supply chain management from Western Michigan University and an MBA from the University of Portland.
Outside of work, Darlene enjoys several team and individual sports, Latin dancing, and volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest.
Jackie Larson, Divisional Human Resources Manager
Columbia Sportswear Company
With oversight of Human Resources in Columbia Sportswear’s Distribution Division, Jackie encourages team success through employee empowerment. She spent 13 years at UPS with progressive responsibility for HR disciplines (Training, Employee Relations, Workforce Planning, Communications, Community Relations). Jackie volunteered with NY Scores, helping students shape their community through poetry and soccer, and was a mentor and board member at Big Brothers Big Sisters. While at online firm Cash4Books.net, Jackie garnered it a ranking in Oregon Business magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. The honest connection between employee and company values there inspired her to seek the uniquely authentic culture at Columbia, a global brand reputable for embracing employees’ active and outdoor endeavors.
In her own adventures, Jackie indulged in a journey to 24 countries before returning from New York to Oregon, where snowboarding, hiking, writing, and travel dreams dominate her free time. She has a BA in Journalism and Spanish from University of Oregon.
Mandy Litton, Senior Product Manager
adidas Originals
Originally from the Midwest, Mandy received a B.S. in Fashion Merchandising from the University of Missouri in Columbia and has spent more than 12 years working in the footwear and apparel industries, with focus on development and creation. In 2006 she moved to Portland from Santa Barbara, CA to work for the global sporting goods brand, adidas. Currently, she is the Senior Product Creation Manager for adidas Originals, driving product direction for U.S. based Key Accounts.
Gregg Olson
Gregg Olson was previously the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Portland Trail Blazers. Named CFO of the Year in the large private business category by Portland Business Journal in 2009, Olson directed day-to-day activities for the Trail Blazers’ finance department, and instituted solid financial budgeting and reporting systems allowing for more effective business management. Prior to his experience with the Trail Blazers organization, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the National Hockey League’s San Jose Sharks. He also served as alternate governor for the Cleveland Barons, then the Sharks’ top development affiliate in the American Hockey League, and as a member of the NHL’s insurance committee. Olson began his sports management career in 1985 as director of finance for the Cleveland Indians. Promoted to vice president of finance in 1987, he was with the Cleveland organization for ten years and was part of the team that helped plan and develop Jacobs Field (now Progressive Field). Olson currently serves on the boards of Junior Achievement and Playworks, and is treasurer of the newly formed Make It Better Foundation. In 1988, he was honored as an “Outstanding Young Man of America.” Raised in Akron, Ohio, Olson graduated magna cum laude from Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio in 1982 with a degree in business administration and accounting. Gregg and his wife, Karen, are the proud parents of Nicholas and Alyssa, and reside in Portland.
Tricia Strauch, Community Marketing Manager
Sports Authority
Tricia is currently the community marketing manager for Sports Authority, where she oversees the marketing and community outreach for all stores in Oregon and Reno, NV. Prior to Sports Authority, Tricia was the athletic marketing director for the University of Portland where she managed the external relations and strategic marketing efforts for the Pilots. She also has experience in ticket sales with the Portland Trail Blazers, and sponsorship marketing with the University of Wisconsin Athletic Department.
Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Tricia has a BBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her MBA from the University of Portland. She enjoys running, soccer, golf, skiing, yoga and just about any sport!
Brian Zappitello, Vice President, Global Merchandising
Nike
Ambassador Council
Playworks Ambassadors support our Board of Directors and Portland operations, we're proud to have the partnership and advocacy of the following community leaders.
Kevin Carroll, Founder
Kevin Carroll Katalyst/LLC
Jennifer Day-Burget, Account Manager
Prichard Communications
Pamela Welch, Chief Finance & Operations
