the OKCC Board of Directors
The Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club is run by a volunteer board comprised of 5-9 members who are voted in annually during the December club meeting per the OKCC Bylaws. The board meets monthly as well as putting in many hours hosting trips, pool sessions, running the website and social media, and much more. Get to know the people donating their time and energy to keeping the club running!
Club members are welcome to sit in on board meetings. If you would like to join the next meeting, please contact a board member via OKCCinfo@gmail.com or in person to find out dates and times of upcoming meetings.
The 2022 OKCC Board Members
Roger Sharp - President, Clinic Coordinator
Roger's an Oklahoma native who met his wife in college, honeymooned in Niger in the Peace Corps, and then lived in a bunch of other places before washing up in the PNW, which he will never leave. He has two adult kids who've also ended up in Portland and who, along with their mom, tolerate his idiosyncrasies with only occasional eye rolls. He currently works for a certain Danish company that makes huge wind turbines, and yes, they're saving the world.
Favorite River: Clackamas
Carl Hansen - Vice President, Class III Trip Coordinator
Carl is a kayaker, physical therapist and small business owner from Montana. When he's not out running a river with his son Caden, he enjoys camping and traveling with the whole family.
Favorite River: Bull Run
Russ Pascoe - Treasurer
Russ is retired from the paying-game so he donates lots of time and effort to environmental non-profits.
Favorite River: Anywhere from Alaska to Arizona where you can go in a boat without a motor, but the PNW is his sweet spot!
Mark Connel - Secretary
Besides kayaking, Mark enjoys mountain biking, woodworking and traveling.
Favorite River: The Sandy
Sue Scheppele - Membership Coordinator, Webmaster
Sue enjoys yoga, her crazy water dog Bree, along with as many days on the water as she can manage. She's co-owner of a tiny software company with her partner Gene, who doesn't even roll his eyes now when one more boat shows up to join the collection...
Favorite River: Usually the last one I ran, but the Rogue wins!
Emily Hooker - Class II Trip Coordinator, Pool Coordinator, Website Support
Emily is a Portland-native kayaker, downhill skier and backpacker who also happens to be an analytical chemist in her "spare" time. She can usually be found boating (often swimming) the class II/III runs, but she sure loves making silly videos of them!
Favorite River: Kalama
Chris Massey - Safety Coordinator
Chris is an avid kayaker & rafter with a penchant for cracking Rippers. When he's not paddling or working, he can usually be found camping in a van down by the river and making it look fun!
Favorite River: Middle Fork Salmon
Karla Bergstrom - Board Member
Please welcome our newest board member! Outside of kayaking, Karla enjoys working with animals, and making the world a more sparkly, happier place!
Favorite River: N. Santiam