All candidate information is listed in the order in which it was received.
Candidate Name: Joe Gotshall
Please list boards and committees that you serve on, or have served on:
Board Member (Commercial Group / Converting Materials) of MTorres USA – subsidiary of MTorres Disenos Industriales 2006-present
Marketing Committee Director – Miami University Paper Science Engineering Foundation 2009-present
Founding Member & Member at Large – Portland Pickup Soccer Club 2010-present
Assistant Manager & Conditioning Coordinator – Multnomah Forest Athletic Futbol Club 2011-present
International Member at Large – Athletic Club de Lodosa 2008-2012
West Coast Representative – Alpha Chapter of BetaThetaPi Fraternity 2005-2010
Biographical information (Timbers Army related and professional):
I have played futbol for my entire waking life. There is no other sport for me!
I began playing with my pre-school team, known best as ”el Gringo” when I was just 4 years old. My family had moved from Akron Ohio to Mexico City for my fathers’ work and futbol was the foundation for me to begin communicating and interacting with kids my age. My mother had just finished her Masters at Akron University where I attended my first real soccer matches, ”Go Zips!” My family history has run deep in futbol; German, British, Dutch and Czech immigrants who settled in the mid-west.
I’ve followed my local professional clubs and supported them all; Canton Invaders in AISA, Cleveland Force in MISL, Cleveland Crunch in MSL, Columbus Crew in MLS, San Jose Clash in MLS, Club Athletic de Osasuna in La Liga out of Pamplona Spain (where my company is headquartered) and of course the Portland Timbers Futbol Club the best team in the MLS. Finally, I have settled down here in the City of Roses and I have found a community where I can put my roots down!!! I want to serve my community and help the TimbersArmy remain ”The greatest futbol supporters that the world has ever seen!”
Now that Caleb Porter is following me from Akron & San Jose I must make an effort to serve PTFC. I’m also very excited to announce that after years on the waiting list I am finally a Season Ticket Holder.
State your objectives as a 107ist board member:
As a member of any group I have served, my primary mission has always been to listen to the members and make efforts to fulfill their wishes. This can be done by using the structure and strengthening the tools available within the organization. Prioritizing goals and focusing efforts while integrating with other influential groups in the community is key. In my role with the 107ist I will continue to promote the most authentic soccer ambience that exists in the US. I will also promote good quality futbol and good sportsmanship camaraderie within the Portland futbol community in order to increase the visibility of the great projects that the 107ist completes locally. I hope to initiate greater cultural exchanges with visiting clubs from Europe and elsewhere, and I hope to assist in making introductions that will take the Timbers over to Spain to play against some of the teams I support.
How do you feel 107ist members would benefit from your involvement with the board:
My skills include years of communication and organization of exponentially growing groups with greater diversity every day. I’m energetic and enthusiastic about futbol and I promote positivity in all I do. I work with multi-national groups in multiple languages on highly technical engineering projects. Through this work as an engineer and through my international business negotiations I have learned to bring divergent groups to the table and get them to agree on resolutions that seemed impossible and out of reach. The key is to get everyone to feel as if they are part of something, something of value. I want to apply my negotiations skills to the 107ist in order to resolve conflicts, unify direction, prioritize our mission and promote our futbol club while having a great time. Members will benefit from my listening skills and the board will benefit from my organizational experiences and my creative problem solving techniques.
Conflicts of Interest: None
Candidate Name: Derek Espinoza
Please list boards and committees that you serve on, or have served on:
President of All Pacific Painting LLC
Biographical information (Timbers Army related and professional):
I have been attending games with my uncle in the westside stands since 2005. He felt that, far removed from our supported clubs in Europe (FC Barcelona) and Central America (Real Espana and Santa Tecla), that rooting for our local club was a way for us to feel apart of this community. As soon as I could afford my own tickets right after high school, I moved to the Timbers Army section because I appreciated the vocal support and culture that it represented. In Spain, watching soccer is like going to an opera. In Central America, it’s like going to a gangfight. Here, it was like being a part of the City.
Four years out of High school, I spent time in customer service. Using money I saved up from that, I now own my own painting business. I am also currently studying at Portland State University.
I love playing chess at Pioneer or with friends, video games whenever I can, and -though I live in Beaverton- roaming Portland.
State your objectives as a 107ist board member:
My objectives as a 107ist board member would be:
Help with Day of game activities, such as tifo
Helping away travel committee
Provide a sounding board for discussion and be a youthful presence on the board.
How do you feel 107ist members would benefit from your involvement with the board:
With making my own working hours, and only spending 3 days a week on school, I can provide many hours a week to help the 107ist achieve its objectives. I have been going to away games since USL days, and have ideas for bettering the travel experience.
I am young, and provide a perspective free from distractions. I do not have a family to take care of, nor a boss to answer to. This is my best moment, where I feel that I can dedicate the next three years of my life to this.
Conflicts of Interest: None
Candidate Name: Brian Pendergrass
Please list boards and committees that you serve on, or have served on:
I’m a teacher and a coach, so my entire career consists of various board and committee meetings associated with my school, department, sports program, etc.
Biographical information (Timbers Army related and professional):
I live in SW Portland and am a 33 year old high school science teacher and boys JV soccer coach at Hillsboro High School. I have been watching, playing, and/or coaching soccer for 26 years. I played club and high school varsity soccer and attended University of Portland and US national team games here in Portland while I was growing up. During college in San Diego I started watching European soccer, especially the English Premier League and Champions League. After college I lived in Germany for a year and attended nearly every home game for SC Freiburg, the Bundesliga team in the city I was living in. I also attended the 2006 World Cup in Germany. My first experience with the Timbers Army was in the summer of 2010. I went to the stadium, thinking it was going to be a Beaver baseball game (I even brought my glove). Turned out that I had the dates wrong and ended up in the Timbers Army for a Timbers vs. Whitecaps game. I bought season tickets after the game, and I’ve hardly missed a game since. Since the Timbers moved to MLS, I’ve made my home in section 108, helped with a few tifo displays on game day, and actively and passionately supported the Timbers and the 107ist.
State your objectives as a 107ist board member:
My objectives as a 107ist board member are two-fold. First I would like to establish a new tradition within the fan base for the beginning of games. In Germany, and worldwide if you listen carefully during television broadcasts, fans echo each player’s last name as they are announced at the beginning of each game. The TA lacks a cohesive and consistent pregame ritual (I’ve been paying attention; we do something different nearly every game during player announcements). Secondly, I would like to expand the 107ist charity arm into the Hispanic community in and around Portland. Teaching in Hillsboro, which has a large, vibrant Hispanic community, it is evident that there is a great deal more that could be done to help this community and draw them into the Timbers Army and Portland Timbers family.
How do you feel 107ist members would benefit from your involvement with the board:
My experience with the game, not only in the United States, but worldwide, will, I think, bring a unique perspective to the Timbers Army as we move forward to further enhance the fan experience and allow Portland to continue to be the preeminent fan base and fan experience in US sports! Beyond my knowledge of soccer as a game, and the culture that surrounds it, my status as a high school teacher and soccer coach gives me added knowledge, access, and credibility when dealing with youth soccer programs and the families and communities that the 107ist would be dealing with. I look forward to meeting more Timbers Army supporters and 107ist members in the future as I work with them, and the team, to improve what is already the best team/supporters relationship and charity arm in the United States! RCTID!
Conflicts of Interest: Perhaps my affiliation with Hillsboro High School, the Hillsboro School District, and the Hillsboro High School boys soccer program could, at some point be a conflict of intertest? But I’d like to think of those connections as assets.
Candidate Name: John Holden
Please list boards and committees that you serve on, or have served on:
None
Biographical information (Timbers Army related and professional):
TA since 2008 despite being based on the East Coast, I moved back to Portland in November after graduating law school and working on a political campaign. I’ve traveled extensively to watch Timbers games out east, driving eight hours into a tropical storm on my first weekend of law school to watch the 0-0 Charleston Battery unbeaten streak extending game in ’09. I have helped organize travel to DC United, Philadelphia, and Kansas City, and created away tifo to support the team, however small the banner. I’ve tried to make as many home games as possible and when in Portland I’ve volunteered through the Army and AC Portland.
Professionally, I am currently studying for the Oregon bar, performing geospatial political data work, and maintaining the database for the UK’s hit iPhone game New Star Soccer.
State your objectives as a 107ist board member:
To further the promotion of soccer in the Portland community through new volunteer opportunities, encouraging new and existing 107ist members to take action with organizations we currently work with, and promoting soccer-related causes in general;
To continue to build and maintain a good working relationship with the front office to make the game day experience as safe, as loud, and as enjoyable as possible;
To ensure away travel occurs efficiently and safely;
To promote and protect the interests of the TA, especially regarding intellectual property.
How do you feel 107ist members would benefit from your involvement with the board:
In college, I worked for four years as an intern in the sports event management industry, providing logistical support for college football, basketball and baseball games. I understand the logistics behind what it takes to pull off events successfully, and have shown as much by taking the lead on several small travel events. Furthermore, in law school, I received backgrounds in both administrative law and conflict resolution, which will help me work procedurally with the board, and hopefully allow a good working relationship with other organizations the 107ist is involved with. Finally, I have a lot of respect for the current board members and what they have been able to do with this organization to date, and as a result I would be honored to be able to continue to push the 107ist forward.
Conflicts of Interest: None
Candidate Name: Stephan Lewis
Please list boards and committees that you serve on, or have served on:
I currently serve on the 107ist Community Outreach Committee. Among my contributions have been the Community Outreach Newsletter and negotiating with the FO’s Stand Together team and Hands On Greater Portland to wave the $30 fee for our members on Stand Together Week’s Friends of Trees event.
I am currently nominated for a seat on the Goose Hollow Foothills League board. I have been attending as a representative of the 107ist and have been asked to run for the coming term. With Ken Puckett terming out (he will still be involved), I would be the only board member with strong ties to the PTFC.
I was on the Committee for Urban Design & Environment (CUDE) and the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) while in exile in Rochester, MN. On CUDE we addressed variances and ideals for the city and helped with a downtown master plan. On BPAC we successfully advocated to be the first city in the region to adopt the Complete Streets policies and we created a bicycle master plan for the city. In both cases, it was often my role to report our recommendations at city council meetings.
I served on the board of the Multnomah (Village) Neighborhood Association during the formation of the Capital Highway Plan and during the creation of recommended design guidelines.
I have served on numerous professional committees involving urban planning, design codes/zoning, sign codes, local area economic development, and RFP’s for real estate development projects.
Biographical information (Timbers Army related and professional):
Portland born and mostly raised, I have been a Timbers supporter since 2001 from section 219 (the best view) until 2007 when I moved down to the TA. Covered in love spread, I embraced the TA as they embraced me. As a n00b, I slowly moved into the activities of the TA by attending away match viewings, volunteering at the TA table, and ultimately teaching newer TA how to lose their voices in style.
During the same time, I changed my career from architecture to community development. Working within my neighborhood of Multnomah Village, I was inspired to go back to PSU’s School of Urban Studies and Planning where I studied Community Development in the hopes of doing my part to ensure the long-term livability and viability of the Rose City.
After over a year putting these skills to work locally, it was the lady’s turn to go back to school and we went into exile in Minnesota while she attended the Mayo School of Medicine. During our time in exile, thanks to modern technology, I only missed two Timbers matches and was able to keep in touch with the goings on of the TA. Even from 1870 miles away, I tried to remain active in the TA.
We’ve been back for over a year with a, now 18 month old, future trumpet player. Making up for lost time, I am one of the top volunteers for TA and 107ist events making time to participate whenever and however I can.
State your objectives as a 107ist board member:
My main objective is to grow the 107ist as an organization. The majority of work currently being done is by the board members themselves with the help of a handful of active volunteers. While the creation of the 107ist committees was a good first step, my goal is to facilitate more involvement from membership.
With the growing success of some of the regional subgroups doing work in their communities, I see great potential to enable this type of involvement in other areas of our region. As an example, we have a lot of active members on the west side of town yet there are very few opportunities for the TA to be visible in those communities, outside of the Oregon Food Bank events and random viewing locations.
I also hope to help create and implement strategies to increase membership inside JWF, outside JWF locally, as well as nationally/worldwide.
How do you feel 107ist members would benefit from your involvement with the board:
My education and work in community development have given me insight into successful task oriented organizations, especially non-profits. I hope to utilize these skills and knowledge to benefit the 107ist and its members.
The ability to quickly identify the strengths and weaknesses of individuals and delegate tasks so we’re all working efficiently toward a common goal has often lead me into leadership roles. From managing a busy restaurant to an office environment, I have had up to 40 people working under me directly. I would not characterize myself as a “charismatic leader,” but more of a behind the scenes, “let’s get this done and have fun doing it” leader who works well as, and am happy to be, a role player when needed.
As a stay at home dad, I have the ability to get things done during business hours. Those waiting anxiously for the post man can appreciate this.
Conflicts of Interest: I currently have no conflict of interest and foresee no conflicts in the future.
Candidate Name: Sherrilynn ”Sheba” Rawson
Please list boards and committees that you serve on, or have served on:
Member, 107 Independent Supporters Trust (present):
–Secretary, 107IST (present)
–Community Outreach Committee, 107IST (present)
–Ethics Committee, 107IST (present)
–Travel Committee, 107IST (present)
–Stadium entry procedures working group, 107IST (present)
President, Sungarden Montessori Board of Directors (past)
Site Council, Nellie Muir Elementary School (present)
Oregon Women’s Sectional Coordinator, Ultimate Players Association (past)
Officer, Clackamas County Democrats, 5th Congressional District (past)
English Language Proficiency Standards working group, Oregon Department of Education (past)
Biographical information (Timbers Army related and professional):
TA related: I have been a Portland Timbers season ticket holder for several years, sitting and then standing in various locations on the west side, along with my family (most recently with the 116 ultras). I have been on some TA away day adventures in the last few years, but not nearly as many as I’d like.
Professional: I am currently the principal at Nellie Muir, a bilingual elementary school in Woodburn, a position I’ve held since 2002. I have been a bilingual educator for most of my adult life.
Personal: I am the mother to three wonderful kids; I am a former avid ultimate frisbee player; a current old, slow, jogger; and am absolutely, positively, Rose City Til I Die.
State your objectives as a 107ist board member:
To further the 107IST mission to support soccer in and around Portland, Oregon, from the grassroots to the highest professional level, by:
–Improving our service to membership for both home (game day ops) and away (travel and game day ops) experiences (as evidenced by feedback from membership)
–Advocating for 107IST member rights and concerns with the PTFC front office
–Expanding our capacity to raise funds for 107IST mission critical activities (tifo, travel, community outreach) through varied means (nonprofit merchandise, events)
–Expanding our community outreach in scope (more schools, more neighborhoods, more community connections, bigger footprint) and in dollars (higher level of charitable giving)
–Expanding our membership (reaching out to more of the PTFC fan base)
–Expanding our volunteer involvement (getting more people involved in volunteering, both regularly and casually)
How do you feel 107ist members would benefit from your involvement with the board:
As an experienced member of the Board, I will be able to hit the ground running. I have co-chaired the Community Outreach Committee and have served on the Travel Committee and the Ethics Committee. I have demonstrated my ability to listen, to reflect, and to get things done.
My skill set and life experiences make me competent to carry out the work. As an elementary school administrator, I have experience in delegating tasks and in working with tact and respect. My experience working in public and non-profit boards helps me to work successfully with a variety of people in different settings to accomplish what we set out to achieve together. And my experiences as a mother and as a member of the TA who stands on the West Side allow me to bring needed perspectives to the table.
Conflicts of Interest: None known at this time.
Candidate Name: Jeremy Wright
Please list boards and committees that you serve on, or have served on:
Founding Board Member of 107ist
Chair of 107ist Travel Committee – 2010 to Present
Vice-President of 107ist – 2012
Member, 107ist Communications Committee 2010 – Present
Timbers Army Member since 2001
Facilitator of Independent Supporters Council founding weekend – 2011
Biographical information (Timbers Army related and professional):
I grew up playing the beautiful game and still play it to this day. I’ve had the privilege of being a part of the Timbers Army since we called it the Cascade Rangers in 2001. My involvement in the early years ranged from being a front office liaison to helping to organize the first bus trips to Seattle. In 2009 I helped found and lead the MLS to PDX campaign that turned the Timbers Army into a force outside the stadium. As a founding board member of the 107ist I have helped guide the organization from just an idea to a non-profit with nearly 3,000 members in just 3 years. As chair of the travel committee I have helped facilitate travel for thousands of Timbers Army members culminating with an historic away day (in the stands) in Seattle this year with 1,500 traveling TA and 17 buses. For the past year I had the honor of serving as the 107ist Vice-President.
State your objectives as a 107ist board member:
The Timbers Army was built on the vision of ”If you want to be TA you already are”. Out of that philosophy came support for anyone who wanted to step up and take the reins of various projects to move the TA forward. Whether it was merch, travel, charity or game day ops our success came from individuals stepping up to help and lead. My vision for the 107ist moving forward is based in that original TA ethos. We need to have more members involved in every facet of 107ist operations. This is important for three reasons: 1) More bodies means less work and reduces board member burnout 2) leadership development is important for the strength of an organization 3) new members with new ideas is good for the 107ist as we continue to grow. As an organization I want to see us continue to grow our community outreach and charitable giving, expand travel options and continue to push the limits of tifo and game day operations.
How do you feel 107ist members would benefit from your involvement with the board:
As a board member for the past 3 years and Timbers Army for the past 12 years I bring a knowledge and background in our operations that will be important for continuity as an organization. I also bring important relationships with our front office, supporters groups around the league, other MLS front offices and Major League Soccer. As the travel chair I have helped grow our operations from a few buses to moving 1,500 people up I-5 and have a vision for the future that includes many more than that. In my professional life I work with elected officials, non-profits and governmental organizations of all sizes across Oregon. These relationships have proven useful to 107ist and I hope to continue to leverage them to benefit our growth.
Conflicts of Interest: None
Candidate Name: Mike Coleman
Please list boards and committees that you serve on, or have served on:
In the past I’ve served on the board of Redmond West Little League, a local community theater, and my company’s holiday giving campaign.
Biographical information (Timbers Army related and professional):
I joined the TA early in the 2011 season, attending most home matches and some aways. I also helped out with general call for volunteers (tifo, etc).
At the end of the 2011 season I ran for the board, which lead to greater involvement this year.
This past year I’ve done quite a bit with game day operations (tifo and flag crew, a bit of internal security, helping with wristbands). I’ve also done a bit with partners and marketing including working with Abe to sell sponsorships for the Whipsaw. Finally, I volunteered with the TA in the community as much as I could (OPI, Harper’s Playground, OFB, etc).
On match days, you can usually find me (and my family) standing in 108.
Professionally I have spent my entire career in high tech. Currently I work for a software company defining and managing development projects.
State your objectives as a 107ist board member:
It boils down to wanting to help the Timbers Army grow, and deal with that growth.
We saw some membership growth in 2011, but I believe everyone who supports the Timbers can benefit from joining the 107ist.
With this growth comes more work. More membership packets to mail, more away day tickets to sort out, more questions to answer, and more requests from the community.
Putting together process that help us deal with that would also be a priority for me.
How do you feel 107ist members would benefit from your involvement with the board:
I believe that I am able to understand complex problems, and provide creative solutions. There are a lot of diverse view points in the Timbers Army, and that can cause some friction. I am hopeful that I’ll be able to take in multiple opinions and faithfully represent our members to try and resolve issues as they arise.
Also, I am not afraid of hard work. I worked full time while I went to college (twice) and raised four children. It know what it takes to juggle multiple projects and priorities, and get stuff done.
Finally, I’m good for a laugh. Rest assured that on a semi-regular basis I will do something stupid, and people will laugh with (at?) me.
Conflicts of Interest: None
Candidate Name: todd danger
Please list boards and committees that you serve on, or have served on:
member of the facebook group greater portland area 105howitzers against beach balls and the musical stylinggs of ABBA
Biographical information (Timbers Army related and professional):
creator of the infamous ”you suck asshole” chant
State your objectives as a 107ist board member:
my objectives as a board member are twofold: first, i will reign in the excess spending that has run rampant under the current administration, fanlanden? more like a luxury downtown condo for a select privlidged few! what’s next, a yacht for nando? secondly, the wristband situation is outrageous! many of us have worked our way up the ranks of the timbers army for years, only to find our front row seat occupied by some kid who doesn’t know a corner kick from a cornhole! wristbands should be given out on a basis of seniority! noobs out!!! danger in!!!
How do you feel 107ist members would benefit from your involvement with the board:
when my plan to divert all future 107ist funds into powerball tickets, with the profits going to a fund to buy leo messi from barcelona, suceeds, not only the 107ist board, but the entire rose city will benefit!
Conflicts of Interest: i’ve probably slept with your mom
