Embedded Files
Colonel Josh Burgess
Founder, Central Oregon Civic Action Project
Retired U.S. Air Force
Bio
Josh Burgess is the founder of the Central Oregon Civic Action Project, a public private partnership creating a vibrant community through deliberative democracy.
A social impact entrepreneur, board director, and executive coach to startups, governments, and nonprofits worldwide, Josh retired as a Colonel from the U.S. Air Force after a career as a special operations advisor, pilot, and international affairs strategist. He also serves as Board President for REACT DC, a refugee resettlement nonprofit, and as an Entrepreneur in Residence for Columbia University.
Joel Wirtz
Attorney, Executive Director, Deschutes Defenders
Bio
Bio
Joel Wirtz is the executive director of Deschutes Defenders, a non-profit public defender representing adult criminal defendants as well as juveniles, parents and children involved in the foster-care system and those involuntarily psychiatrically hospitalized. He has been a public defender for 21-years, successfully defending everyone from the stock car driver to those using lethal self-defense.
Joel Wirtz is the executive director of Deschutes Defenders, a non-profit public defender representing adult criminal defendants as well as juveniles, parents and children involved in the foster-care system and those involuntarily psychiatrically hospitalized. He has been a public defender for 21-years, successfully defending everyone from the stock car driver to those using lethal self-defense.
Marcus LeGrand,
Professor, Afrocentric Program Coordinator and Director and Chair Bend-La Pine School Board
Bio
Marcus is an educator, activist, and community organizer dedicated to empowering future leaders through equitable education. Marcus serves the community in many ways where he develops equity-focused policies. He co-founded the Father’s Group, a nonprofit creating leadership opportunities for youth, and serves on the Oregon Department of Education’s Curriculum Development Council for African-American Education. As the Afrocentric Program Coordinator at Central Oregon Community College, Marcus supports students through mentorship and college preparation programs. He has facilitated Town Hall discussions on racism, worked in underserved communities to help students access higher education, and taught self-advocacy through student organizations.Bio
Monica Marlow
The Honorable Monica Marlow, Retired Judge
Bio
Bio
California Superior Court Judge for 25 years. Civil litigation attorney for 20 years prior to judicial appointment.
California Superior Court Judge for 25 years. Civil litigation attorney for 20 years prior to judicial appointment.
Micaela Guthrie
Immigration Attorney, Three Sisters Law
Bio
Bio
Micaela has worked in all facets of immigration law, starting as the Managing Attorney representing asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors in El Paso, Texas; representing companies in employment-based immigration matters; served as an Assistant Chief Counsel for the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor; and has worked in Central Oregon representing families and asylum seekers for almost a decade. Her passion for immigration law comes from the joy of bringing families together and giving a voice to those whose stories need to be told.
Micaela has worked in all facets of immigration law, starting as the Managing Attorney representing asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors in El Paso, Texas; representing companies in employment-based immigration matters; served as an Assistant Chief Counsel for the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor; and has worked in Central Oregon representing families and asylum seekers for almost a decade. Her passion for immigration law comes from the joy of bringing families together and giving a voice to those whose stories need to be told.
Matt Muchna
Envision Bend
Bio
Bio
Matt is the Executive Director of Envision Bend. He is passionate about bringing people together to take meaningful action. Since starting in his role in January of 2023, he has worked with the Envision Bend Board of Directors and community partners to activate the Vision Action Plan created from feedback of 3,500 participants.
Matt is the Executive Director of Envision Bend. He is passionate about bringing people together to take meaningful action. Since starting in his role in January of 2023, he has worked with the Envision Bend Board of Directors and community partners to activate the Vision Action Plan created from feedback of 3,500 participants.
Jody Lawrence-Turner
Editor Bend Bulletin,
Bio
Bio
amazing things go here
amazing things go here
Roxie Suplee
COCC Assistant Professor and Criminal Justice Program Director
Bio
Bio
Professor Roxie Supplee is the Director of the Department of Criminal Justice at Central Oregon Community College, where she has taught since 2009. Previously she was the administrator for the Central Oregon Reserve Police Academy, training volunteer police officers across the region.
Professor Roxie Supplee is the Director of the Department of Criminal Justice at Central Oregon Community College, where she has taught since 2009. Previously she was the administrator for the Central Oregon Reserve Police Academy, training volunteer police officers across the region.
Becca Phelps,
Vote Run Lead Action, OR State Director
Bio
Becca is from Louisville, KY where she started her career as a fourth grade teacher in rural Kentucky. Upon moving to Bend, Oregon in 2015, Becca worked in outdoor education,which led her to statewide politics to work on Measure 99: Save Outdoor School. As a field organizer, Becca traveled across central, southern, and eastern Oregon to pass this historic legislation. Working in an environmental non-profit and managing youth education programs full-time, Beccafound herself working on a number of local and statewide campaigns as a campaign manager and realized she caught the political bug. After managing campaign managing for Deschutes County District Attorney, Bend’s first mayoral race, a rural legislative house district, and the re-election of a Deschutes County Commissioner, Becca took the role as state director for Vote Run Lead where she is beyond excitedto recruit and train women and gender expansive folks to run for office, and win.Bio
Sara Odenthal
Director of Government Affairs
and Strategic Initiatives
Bend Chamber of Commerce
Bio
Bio
Sara Odendahl is a veteran public affairs and government affairs professional, having honed her political consulting chops at
Sara Odendahl is a veteran public affairs and government affairs professional, having honed her political consulting chops at
the Colorado State Capitol for over a decade. Her policy expertise includes health care, non-profit and local government issues, specializing in children’s health, public health, early childhood education and local/regional economic development issues. Prior to her lobbying career, she worked for several advertising and branding agencies focusing on issue-based strategic communications. Since trading in her high heels in Denver for hiking boots in Bend, she and her husband developed and launched Work-Collective, a community coworking office complex in the heart of NorthWest Crossing. When Sara is not tuned into a City Council or State Legislative committee meeting, she and her husband enjoy chasing around their two daughters and exploring the great outdoors with Oliver,
the Colorado State Capitol for over a decade. Her policy expertise includes health care, non-profit and local government issues, specializing in children’s health, public health, early childhood education and local/regional economic development issues. Prior to her lobbying career, she worked for several advertising and branding agencies focusing on issue-based strategic communications. Since trading in her high heels in Denver for hiking boots in Bend, she and her husband developed and launched Work-Collective, a community coworking office complex in the heart of NorthWest Crossing. When Sara is not tuned into a City Council or State Legislative committee meeting, she and her husband enjoy chasing around their two daughters and exploring the great outdoors with Oliver,
their sweet Golden Retriever.
their sweet Golden Retriever.
John J Graham Jr
Executive Director, Center for Business, Industry and Professional Development (CBIPD) at COCC
Executive Director, Center for Business, Industry and Professional Development (CBIPD) at COCC
Bio
Bio
John J. Graham Jr. leads the Center for Business, Industry, and Professional Development (CBIPD) at Central Oregon Community College, bridging education and industry. With a 40-year career at Nike, Speedo, FinTech startups, and small businesses, he specializes in growth, innovation, and talent development. He is dedicated to creating career pathways that empower businesses, upskill workers, and strengthen Central Oregon’s economy.
John J. Graham Jr. leads the Center for Business, Industry, and Professional Development (CBIPD) at Central Oregon Community College, bridging education and industry. With a 40-year career at Nike, Speedo, FinTech startups, and small businesses, he specializes in growth, innovation, and talent development. He is dedicated to creating career pathways that empower businesses, upskill workers, and strengthen Central Oregon’s economy.
Thomas Wrisley
President, Associated Students of Central Oregon Community College
Bio
Bio
I am a native of Central Oregon and a student of political science. I ran for student body president to learn about leadership and service to my community at COCC.
I am a native of Central Oregon and a student of political science. I ran for student body president to learn about leadership and service to my community at COCC.
Judy Stiegler
Former Oregon State Representative, Attorney, and Current Part-time Political Science Instructor at OSU-Cascades and COCC
Bio
Bio
As a long-time practicing attorney in Central Oregon, it sparked my passion for public service. Over the years, I served on many public boards, commissions and committees, and the highlight of my career was the term I served in the Oregon Legislature. I have continued my service through being a political science instructor at both OSU-Cascades and COCC, with the hope of helping students understand the importance of their voices in our community.
Dr. Jerry Freilich
Retired Research Coordinator,
National Park Service
Bio
Bio
Jerry Freilich is now retired from a 25-year career with the National Park Service having served in six national parks nationwide. He has a PhD in ecology and worked as a research scientist, most recently spending 13 years as Research Coordinator at Olympic National Park. His work involved coordinating research projects with Federal agencies, many university scientists, and across many disciplines. These included work on endangered species, removing dams, mapping park resources, and fighting to protect the national parks from developments outside their borders. He learned the hard way how difficult those tasks can be.
Jim Noel
Retired Attorney
Bio
Bio
Jim Noel is a graduate of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and the University of Alabama School of Law. He's now retired after a career as a lawyer for the National Football League, ESPN, the United States Golf Association and ROOT Sports. His interest in the rights of students is based in part on the happy fact that he’s the father and stepfather of six children.
Captain Michael Shults
Corrections Division Commander,
Deschutes County Sheriff
Bio
Bio
Captain Michael Shults has been dedicated to Law Enforcement for over 35 years. He started his career as a Corrections Deputy at the Multnomah County Detention Center and was promoted to Sergeant in 1990. Prior duties in Multnomah County included Public Information Officer, River Patrol, and Chief Deputy of the Corrections Division. He has served with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office since December of 2017, and is currently the Corrections Division Commander.
Cameron Broome
Executive Director, Oregon Association of Student Councils
Bio
Bio
As a former teacher, Broome is driven by a passion for education and the inspiration of student leaders. Serving as the Executive Director of OASC, Broome committed to fostering excellence and shaping environments that empower student leaders across Oregon.
As a former teacher, Broome is driven by a passion for education and the inspiration of student leaders. Serving as the Executive Director of OASC, Broome committed to fostering excellence and shaping environments that empower student leaders across Oregon.
Lieutenant John R. Jernigan
Corrections Operations Lieutenant,
Deschutes County Sheriff
Bio
Bio
Lieutenant John R. Jernigan began his law enforcement career as a reserve Police Officer with the Bend Police Department in 2000. In 2002, he became a Deputy Sheriff assigned to the Corrections Division with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout his tenure, he has worked in a variety of roles – including Field Training Evaluation Program Coordinator, Training Deputy, Training Sergeant, Corrections Team Sergeant, and Corrections Team Lieutenant. He is currently the Corrections Operations Lieutenant at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.
Lieutenant John R. Jernigan began his law enforcement career as a reserve Police Officer with the Bend Police Department in 2000. In 2002, he became a Deputy Sheriff assigned to the Corrections Division with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout his tenure, he has worked in a variety of roles – including Field Training Evaluation Program Coordinator, Training Deputy, Training Sergeant, Corrections Team Sergeant, and Corrections Team Lieutenant. He is currently the Corrections Operations Lieutenant at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.
Mandy Peoples
Attorney, Educator, Volunteer
Bio
Bio
Mandy Peoples is a former high school teacher, and an even more former attorney. She is currently devoting her efforts towards community building, civic engagement, raising a middle schooler, and enjoying all that Central Oregon has to offer.
Mandy Peoples is a former high school teacher, and an even more former attorney. She is currently devoting her efforts towards community building, civic engagement, raising a middle schooler, and enjoying all that Central Oregon has to offer.
Deschutes County Sheriff
Bio
Captain William Bailey started his career 25 years ago with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff. He was hired as a Corrections Deputy in 2002 and then as a Patrol Deputy in 2008. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2014 and Lieutenant in July of 2020. During Captain Bailey’s time with DCSO he has held a number of assignments. He was a Field Training Officer for both Corrections and Patrol Divisions, training newly hired Deputy Sheriff’s. He served as both a Criminal and Street Crimes Detective, as well as being a member of the Critical Incident Team. Captain Bailey has further filled the positions of Patrol Sergeant, Administrative Sergeant, and Public Information Officer (PIO). Captain Bailey was DCSO’s first PIO in over twenty years and was responsible for developing our current social media and public information program. Captain Bailey also held the assignments of Patrol Lieutenant, City of Sisters Station Lieutenant, and Administrative Lieutenant. He is currently the Captain of Administration and Sheriff’s Services.
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