Alice Shapiro, Chair

Congregation of Shalom Bayit. Jewish Community of Central Oregon

Alice Shapiro has been a member of the Jewish Community of Central Oregon since 1994 and has served on the INCO Board of Directors since 2017.  Alice first experienced the local interfaith community at the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, hosted by the then EMCO, where she fell in love with this community's warmth and their mission.  Alice has a Master's degree in Teaching from Kent State University and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from University of Maryland.  Alice has 2 amazing children, 5 wonderful step-children and 5 remarkable grandchildren.  Alice works as the Academic Director of Cascade Crest Transitions and continues to mentor students preparing to become Bar/Bat Mitzvah.  Alice invites anyone who is interested in interfaith work and connection here in Central Oregon to join us at an event or Board Meeting. 

Aaron Craig, Treasurer

Baha'i 

Steve Berne, Board Member

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Bend

At the end of 2020, Steve Berne accepted a volunteer position with The Office of General Counsel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve as Associate Area Legal Counsel to the Europe East Area for the Church for 18 months, eventually residing in Frankfurt, Germany. In addition to Russia, this area included Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Steve assisted in overseeing the work of local attorneys in these 17 Eastern European countries. Due to COVID, Steve began this volunteer legal service initially working from Oregon and then eventually working from Germany when circumstances in Russia made it unworkable to reside in either Russia or Ukraine. Steve helped with partnership agreements for Humanitarian Aid throughout Eastern Europe with organizations such as Mercy Corps, Red Cross, and many other Humanitarian partnerships. Steve also worked on matters involving Religious Rights, Data Privacy, Employment, and real estate transactions involving Soviet Era, EU, and Central Asia property ownership issues and legislation. Prior to serving his recent Mission, Steve served on the Board of Special Olympics Oregon. Steve has now returned to practicing law in Oregon as Of Counsel to JurisLaw LLP and is also working part-time as in-house General Counsel for Jacobsen Real Estate Group, a senior housing developer and manager. Steve has been married for over 42 years and has 4 children and 11 grandchildren. 

Hossein (Hoss) Talebi, Board Member

Muslim

Linda Jackson-Shaw, Board Member

Presbyterian

Ruling Elder/ Community Presbyterian Church I remember my denominational training with the Multi-cultural network of the Presbyterian church PUCSA, and the joy of being surrounded by the wonderful diversity of the varies faith communities.  I have this great joy being on the board of INCO,  surrounded by the wonderful diversity of the varies faith communities.

Vickie Johnson, Board Member

United Methodist

Gigi Seikkinen, Board Member

Pastor Lutheran Church - Madras

Clyde Simmons, Board Member

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Redmond/Sisters

At age 19, Clyde served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hong Kong for 2 years.  In his role in Hong Kong, Clyde assisted Vietnamese refugees prepare for a new life. Currently Clyde serves as the Communications Director for the Church in the Redmond/Sisters area. He also works in the Portland Oregon Temple of the Church 16 - 24 hours a month.   Clyde has been married for 41 years and has 2 children and 8 grandchildren.