Former EOU Trustees

Lara Moore

Lara Moore (2022-2023)

Occupation: Co-President, Eastern Oregon University

Biography: A native of Eastern Oregon, Moore was raised in Elgin, and later graduated from Eastern Oregon University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science. She went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from Marylhurst University in 2011. 

Moore began working at EOU in 2003 where she held various positions within the Division of Finance and Administration and has served as interim director for several areas including Financial Aid, Director of Facilities and Planning, Human Resources Director, and Director of Business Affairs. Currently, she serves as Vice President of Finance and Administration, and has held that position since 2014. As vice president, Moore plays a key role in the comprehensive transformation of the university’s finances, including overseeing $25 million in capital investments.

Today, alongside her duties as Co-President and Vice President of Finance and Administration, Moore acts as the university’s primary representative to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for all state operating funding and funding models, as well as capital project funding. 

Moore is currently a member of the Oregon VPFA Council, and the Oregon Public Universities Insurance and Risk Management Trust. During her tenure, she has served as chair for both organizations.

Bill Johnson

Bill Johnson (2015-2023)

Education: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Occupation:  Owner of Sage Farms; a multi-faceted farm in the Treasure Valley.

Biography: Raised in Vale, Oregon, Bill studied Aeronautical Engineering at MIT. He joined Microsoft after college where he was program manager for early versions of Microsoft Excel. Later, he served as a Vice President at InterNAP, an internet routing optimization firm. In 2005 he created Sage Farms, which quickly expanded into one of the largest row crop operations in the Treasure Valley. In 2017 he sold the farm and established Loft Property Management, the largest provider of multi-family housing in the Western Treasure Valley.

He is a founding member of Malheur County Poverty to Prosperity, is a trustee at Eastern Oregon University and serves on several other business and civic boards. Bill enjoys flying his airplane, riding his bicycle, and playing tennis with his wife Kathy.

Christopher Warner (2022-2023)

Education: University of Oregon, Bachelor of Science in Journalism

Occupation:  Director of the Portland Bureau of Transportation

Biography: Chris is a sixth-generation Oregonian and a native of Baker City, who now resides in Portland. He retains a strong connection to eastern Oregon, where much of his family continues to live and work. He has worked for over twenty years in public sector management. As a policy and legislative expert, he has served at the local, state, and federal levels and played a leading role in many of Oregon and Portland’s most consequential transportation policy initiatives. He enjoys spending time with his wife State Representative Barbara Smith Warner and their two children, exploring the natural beauty and cultural treasures of Oregon.

Danny Bailey

Danny Bailey (2020-2022)

Staff Trustee

baileyd2@eou.edu

Education: Eastern Oregon University, Bachelor of Music; Western Oregon University, Master of Science in Education – Curriculum & Instruction

Occupation: Scholarship Coordinator, Eastern Oregon University

Biography: Danny is a Willamette Valley native and EOU Alum. He began working in the Financial Aid Office in 2016 and prides himself that his position helps other Mounties to be financially successful during their educational journey. When able, Danny enjoys participating in Music and Theatre performances around the valley. Most recently, he is the music director for two different performing ensembles in La Grande. 

Richard Chaves (2014-2022)

Education: Eastern Oregon University, Business Economics and Management

Occupation: President and Founder, Chaves Consulting, Inc. (CCI).

Biography: Richard has led CCI in the design and implementation of information system solutions for state and local government agencies throughout the United States. Over the past 35 years, he founded three companies, developed business and technology solutions, and received numerous recognitions from his customers and business partners for excellent service. In 2011, CCI was named Business of the Year by the Baker County Chamber of Commerce.

Tom Insko

Education: College of William and Mary, Master of Business Administration; Eastern Oregon University, Bachelor’s in Mathematics and Business Economics.

Occupation: Eastern Oregon University President.

Biography: Prior to his presidency at EOU, Tom worked for Boise Cascade for 20 years with the majority of his responsibilities focused on operations management. A native eastern Oregonian, Tom grew up on his family’s farm located north of La Grande. He has served as the EOU Foundation president and as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Roberta Conner (2014-2022)

Education: Willamette University, Master of Management; University of Oregon, Bachelor’s in Journalism.

Occupation: Director, Tamástslikt Cultural Institute.

Biography: Roberta has been the Director of the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute since 1998. She is a well-published writer and lecturer on cultural preservation issues and mentors young scholars who are interested in tribal cultural preservation. In 2007 she received the Ecotrust Indigenous Leadership Award for her work representing the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).

Karyn Gomez (2020-2022)

Education: Texas A&M University-Commerce, EdD in Supervision, Curriculum & Instruction & MEd in Elementary Education; Pacific Lutheran University, BAE in English

Occupation: Professor, EOU College of Education

Biography: Karyn was born in Roseburg and raised in Washington. She was thrilled to return to the area as an EOU faculty member in 2006 after several years of living in Texas. At EOU, Karyn has served on multiple shared governance committees and spent several years as the Director of Educator Preparation for the College of Education. In addition to her faculty teaching, Karyn has a total of 19 years of elementary teaching experience. She has volunteered as a state and national site visitor for the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Karyn participates in the community as a board member for the K-House campus ministry and as a classroom volunteer whenever possible.

Abel Mendoza (2014-2022)

Education: B.A. from Eastern Oregon University in 1972 and a PhD in chemistry from Washington State University in 1977.

Occupation: Retired EOU Assistant Professor of Chemistry; Retired Dow Chemical Researcher.

Biography: Following a prestigious career at Dow Chemical, Dr. Mendoza returned to eastern Oregon in 2001 to enjoy his retirement. In 2004, he began teaching at his alma mater as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and retired from this position in 2014. He is an inventor and holds 28 patents.

Dixie Lund (2014-2022)

Education: Eastern Oregon University, Secondary Business Education; Oregon State University, Ed.M., Adult Education; Portland State University, Ed.D, Postsecondary Educational Leadership.

Occupation: Retired Interim EOU President.

Biography: During Dixie’s tenure at EOU beginning in 1973, she held various teaching and coordinator positions and was named Dean of Distance Education. She served as EOU’s Interim President two times, is the recipient of the Oregon Women in Higher Education Service Award and was named a Woman of Courage and Vision by the university.

Susan Corey

Susan Corey (2018-2021)

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching, Eastern Oregon University

Occupation: Rancher, philanthropist, former elementary school teacher

Biography: Susan is a lifelong Pendleton resident. She has volunteered with many organizations including the Pendleton Arts Council and as President of the EOU Foundation. In 2016 she received the Al and Pat Reser Civic Leadership Award. Her family has many long-time ties to the region, including Mac Hoke. Her daughter is an EOU online alumna, and Susan is proud of EOU’s commitment to transfer and online students. “I want EOU to become very successful because I feel like it’s a gem to the region.”

Brittney Hamilton

Brittney Hamilton (2020-2021)

Student Trustee

Education: Eastern Oregon University

Biography: Brittney Puti’on Hamilton was born and raised on the island of Saipan located in the western Pacific Ocean. She studied Business Marketing & Economics while also being a student-athlete on the Cheer & Dance Team. She is the first-generation college graduate in her family and hopes to continue her education. She enjoys spending time out in nature and also involves herself in various activities. 

Quentin Durfee

Quentin Durfee (2018-2020)

Student Trustee

Education: Eastern Oregon University

Biography: As an EOU student, Quentin was involved in school through extra-curricular activities such as Track and Field, Theater, Pre-Professional Health Club (PPHC), and Chemistry Club. He served as the treasurer for PPHC and president or vice-president for the Chemistry Club from Fall 2017-Spring 2019. Quentin has also served in the Oregon Army National Guard.

Gary Keller

Gary Keller (2018-2020)

Faculty Trustee

Education: Northcentral University, Ph. D. in Business Administration; Cardinal Stritch University, M. S. in Management; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, M. A. in History; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, B. A. in History

Occupation: EOU College of Business Faculty.

Biography: Dr. Keller joined the Eastern Oregon University College of Business faculty in September, 2012 after teaching 13 years at a private university in Milwaukee, WI. Dr. Keller also has extensive international teaching experience. He has more than 29 scholarly articles published in academic and professional journals and won several Best Research Paper awards from international academic conferences. In addition to his teaching, Keller practices his academic skills as a consultant, trainer and facilitator on strategy, project management, and process improvement serving clients on 6 continents.

David Nelson

David Nelson (2014-2020)

Served as Board Chair 2015-2020

Education: University of Montana, Law; University of Oregon, Political Science; University of California Berkeley.

Occupation: Attorney and Former State Senator.

Biography: David joined the Oregon State Senate in 1996, was named the Senate Majority Leader in 2001, and retired in 2013. He served as County Attorney for Pondera County, Montana and has also worked as a wheat farmer.

Jerry D. Pratton

Jerry D. Pratton (Jer) (2014-2020)

Education: University of Oregon, Ph.D. in Public School Administration; Portland State University, Master’s Degree; Oregon College of Education, Bachelor’s Degree.

Occupation: Retired Hermiston School District Superintendent.

Biography: Jer assisted the City of Hermiston, Blue Mountain Community College and EOU with efforts to design and secure funding for the Eastern Oregon Education Center in Hermiston. He also helped guide the Hermiston School District to passage of a $69 million building bond. Jer was named Man of the Year in 2014 by the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce.

Helen Moore

Helen Moore (2016-2020)

Staff Trustee

Education: Eastern Oregon University, Bachelor of Science in History.

Occupation: IT Purchasing Agent, EOU Information Technology Department.

Biography: Helen is a classified employee at EOU, where she has been employed since 1980. She has been active in the Shared Governance process and served in the local and statewide leadership for SEIU 503 for over 20 years. Helen and her daughter are both graduates of the History Program at Eastern Oregon University and her grandson is a current student at EOU pursuing a degree in Anthropology/Sociology.

Nicole Almanza

Nicole Almanza (2016-2018)

Student Trustee

Education: Eastern Oregon University, Pre-Optometry and Physical Activity and Health major, with a concentration in Health and Wellness; Chemistry minor.

Biography: Nicole is involved with many clubs and organizations, including serving as President of Latino Impact. She is also a member of the International Student Association and is an EOU Ambassador. Her goal as a trustee is to advocate for the success and well-being of students to help lead the university toward a promising future.

Linda Reed-Jerofke

Linda Reed-Jerofke (2016-2018)

Faculty Trustee

Education: University of Oregon, Doctorate of Anthropology; University of Oregon, Masters of Anthropology; University of Leicester, Masters of Historical Archaeology; Appalachian State University, Bachelor’s of Anthropology.

Occupation: Professor of Anthropology at Eastern Oregon University.

Biography: Linda brings her relationships with regional tribes and federal and state agencies through her work as an applied anthropologist and professor to her new role as a trustee.  She has professional connections with the business community as a Rotarian, detailed knowledge of the Associated Academic Professionals contract, ability to work with EOU faculty across the colleges, and a commitment to provide quality education to students in the region.

Holly Kerfoot

Holly Kerfoot (2014-2018)

Education: Eastern Oregon University, Bachelor of Arts in Business

Occupation: Business Owner.

Biography: Holly’s first job after college was as an admissions counselor at her alma mater. Today she draws on her expertise in management, marketing and promotion operating two personal businesses. She is a current member of EOU’s Malheur County Advisory Board, EOU President’s Circle and Mountaineer Athletic Association. Holly also served on the EOU Foundation Board and is Past-President of the EOU Alumni Association and remains a member.

Ray Brown

Ray Brown (2015-2016)

Faculty Trustee

Education: California State University, San Bernardino, Master of Education and History; San Diego State University, Bachelor of Arts in History.

Occupation: Assistant Professor of Education and Secondary Education Program Coordinator at EOU.

Biography: Prior to joining EOU’s faculty in 2004, Ray taught high school history and English for 30 years, was an adjunct history professor and served as a consultant for California’s Department of Education. He is currently working on a joint program where students can earn college credit through project-based learning and international travel.

Patricia Hinton

Patricia Hinton (2015-2016)

Staff Trustee

BiographyPatricia is a classified employee at EOU and member of SEIU 503 Local #081 for the past six years. She is currently serving her second term as Vice President of the local SEIU chapter. Prior to joining EOU, she was a civil engineering technician for the Wallowa Whitman National Forest. She has a total of 24 years of civil service and union affiliation. In 2014 she completed the Oregon Labor Candidate School Program and intends to run for mayor of Greenhorn in 2016. 

Elsie Praeger-Goller

Elsie Praeger-Goller (2015-2016)

Student Trustee

Education: Eastern Oregon University, Elementary Education with ESOL Endorsement.

Biography: Elsie is an EOU transfer student from Mt. Hood Community College. She has been involved with her community college student government and debate team, in addition to working with Oregon Student Association (OSA) on voter registration drives and impartial political education movements for college students.