The Council is composed of eight volunteers appointed by the Governor and one member of the Oregon Transportation Commission. At least one appointee must reside in each of Oregon’s five congressional districts. The Council meets quarterly to fulfill its mission of creating a great visitor experience by providing directions to destinations, connecting travelers with Oregon’s resources, and ensuring safe and convenient travel.
See a full list of the benifts of serving on a Council or Committee.
Current Term: 7/1/2023 - 6/30/2027 Eliza E. Canty-Jones has served as Editor of the Oregon Historical Quarterly since 2007 and Director of Community Engagement at the Oregon Historical Society since 2013. She produces scholarship, public programs, and organizational partnerships that advance complex and diverse perspectives on Oregon’s past. She holds an M.A. in Pacific Northwest and Public History from Portland State University and a B.A. in English from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where she was founding co-editor of SlackWater: Oral Folk History of Southern Maryland. Eliza was co-founder and served as President of the Oregon Women’s History Consortium, which created the statewide centennial project, Century of Action: Oregon Women Vote, 1912–2012.
Current Term: 07/2022- 7/2026
Richard Riggs serves as the Western Regional Director for Oregon State University’s Extension Service where he directs faculty and staff who provide educational programming in 4-H, agritourism, family and community health, nutrition education, agriculture, home horticulture, forestry, and fire resiliency. Prior to OSU, he served as an administrative law judge, as legal administrator for the Office of Child Care, and as Assistant Director for the Oregon Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries. Rich also served as an elected board member for Chemeketa Community College and 20 years with the US and Canadian navies. Rich is a certified master gardener, dog owner, and he and his spouse enjoy camping, hiking, and vacationing across Oregon.
Current Term: 7/1/2021 - 6/30/2025
A native Oregonian, Bob Garcia has served Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians in a variety of capacities since joining the Tribal Council in 2001, including eight years as the Council’s chairman.
Now a small business owner in Florence, Garcia's recent executive experience includes a decade as Assistant General Manager of Three Rivers Casino Resort. Previously, he served as Economic Development Director for the Tribes, Treasurer of the Oregon Tribal Gaming Alliance, and as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Indian Gaming Association. He has served on the board of numerous charities including as President of the Florence Rotary Club and Rotary Foundation. Bob is in his second term as a Commissioner of the International Port of Coos Bay.
Garcia notes: “Oregon Historical Markers are a particular interest of mine as I have seen the program work to update and revise dated and historically inaccurate markers to reflect a broader and culturally more diverse story of the ten thousand plus years of habitation in our state.”
Garcia lives with his wife, Wendy, and their family in North Bend.
Current Term: OTC Appointed
Jeff Baker is a retired business executive and advisor to organizations and businesses. Baker retired as CEO of Rexel USA and as a member of Rexel Group’s Executive Committee in 2022. Rexel USA is a national wholesale distributor of electrical material, doing business in Oregon as Platt Electric Supply. Prior to joining Rexel USA, Baker was the CEO of Poorman-Douglas Corporation, a Beaverton, Oregon based company providing administrative support services to the Federal and State Courts.In addition to serving as a Board Member and advisor to for-profit companies, Baker is a member of the Knight Cancer Institute Advisory Council, and has served as a member of The Northwest Public Power Association Board of Trustees, The Washington State University Foundation Board of Trustees, Experience Works, The Lake Oswego Schools Foundation Board, and is a co-founder and Board Member of I Belong Here. Baker holds a BA in Business (Accounting) from Washington State University and an MBA from the University of Washington. Oregon has been home for Commissioner Baker for over 60 years
/Current Term: 8/1/2024 - 6/30/2028
Diane is the President and an owner of Lile International Companies, a leader in global relocation, logistics and warehousing for over 50 years. Lile International Companies is certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council as a Women-Owned Business with ten branch locations in Oregon and Washington. Lile is a leading agent for north American Van Lines providing professional transportation and logistics services for individuals, companies, associations, the military, and government agencies. Lile's focus is to build lasting relationships with customers through teamwork, integrity, continuous improvement and above all, our commitment to quality service.
/Current Term: 8/1/2024 - 6/30/2028
John Hamilton serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA). With over 19 years of experience at ORLA, he oversees the organization's daily operations, including finance, staffing, accounting, communications, marketing, educational programs, business development, membership, cost-saving initiatives, and association events. John's commitment to the Oregon hospitality industry is evident in his long-standing service. He is a graduate of the Institute of Organizational Management program. Prior to his career at ORLA John worked for Nike in Beaverton for ten years. John also serves on the Travel Lane County Boards as an ex-officio member.
Kristine is Sr. VP of Programs and Operations at Visit Central Oregon with 20 years in serving Central Oregon’s tourism industry. She stewards regional tourism with a wealth of experience and deep commitment leading Central Oregon’s Regional Cooperative Tourism Program (RCTP). She harnesses her expertise to cultivate valuable regional partnerships and foster impactful industry connections. Kristine’s extensive background in tourism and hospitality, from marketing to global sales, uniquely contributes to Visit Central Oregon’s continued success and growth. Additionally, Kristine is the proud mother of a University of Oregon Summa Cum Laude Honors Graduate and whole-heartedly appreciates living, working and playing in Bend and Central Oregon with her husband and their fur-baby, Fizzy.
Current Term: 6/24/2021 - 6/24/2025
Matt works as Regional Vice president for Certified Folder Display Service working in sales and promotional sided of the tourism industry and loves it. Currently, his main focus is providing travelers with information on local and regional attractions and promoting my clients in key target markets.
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