Our Board

Verna has been a school administrator for the past 40 plus years. She is known for helping organizations and institutions create and foster a climate where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and respected. Verna was the first African American female to enroll in undergraduate school at the University of Mississippi, where she earned a B.A. in Sociology and Psychology. She received an M.A. in Education from Lewis and Clark College and is completing a doctoral dissertation at Portland State University. Verna has served as the vice principal of Five Oaks Middle School, the principal of Cedar Park Middle School, the principal of Montclair Elementary School and the K-12 Administrator for Counseling and Diversity for the Beaverton School District. She is a firm believer that all children deserve quality teachers—people who believe in them, who have the skills to help them learn and perform at high levels, and who are passionate and knowledgeable about what they teach.

Ann brings a diverse business, education, health and community service background to Board of Directors. She has served as Vice President and President of Emerson Ecologics, Inc., a dietary supplement distribution company. Ann’s experience in community service includes working for a public housing agency and a neighborhood health center, where she identified the needs in housing, healthcare and education for inner city residents. Ann and her husband Joe have six children; one is a graduate of Edison.

Dean is a principal with Ferguson Wellman Capital Management and a member of the equity team. He also heads the firm’s Alternative Investments strategy. He joined the firm in 1994 after 11 years with Kidder Peabody Asset Management in New York City. Dean was born and raised in New York and earned his B.A. in finance from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He is also a board member of the Citizens’ Crime Commission and Portland Japanese Garden. Dean enjoys tennis, boating and traveling with his family.

Sherry grew up in Southern California, she and her husband, Con moved to Bad Tolz, Germany and then on to Fayetteville, NC while he was in the military.  The family then relocated to Sacramento, CA then on to Tulsa, OK and finally settling in Portland in 1987.  Sherry began her Real Estate practice in 1988 and has helped over 2100 families find the perfect home.  She has been named Realtor of the Year for the Portland Metro Area as well as served on the Board for RMLS.  Sherry’s grandson attended Edison for 4 years and graduated in 2018.  She is a strong believer in Edison and the success it helps students achieve.  Her family includes her husband, son, daughter-in-law and two amazing grandchildren.  In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, wine tasting and hanging out with their two dogs, Bode and Jackson.

Jim is co-chair of the Endowment Committee. Having earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Davis, Jim has worked in the building construction industry for more than 30 years. He is President of Fortis Construction, Inc. Jim and his wife Rose have four children. Their son Michael graduated from Edison in 2013. Jim recently completed an eight-year term on the Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School Advisory Council.

Dan is a CPA with GeffenMesher. In the spring of 2004, he found himself at a career crossroads. After 16 years with Big 4 firms, he knew he needed a change, yet the timing wasn’t right. In October of that year, he finally brought his experiences, warmth and sense of humor to the firm. In 2016 Dan was asked to join the Edison board by friend and board chair Pat Becker. “I knew anything Pat would be involved in was a good cause.” Dan and his wife Heather are proud parents of two grown daughters. In the fall you can catch Dan tailgating outside of Reser Stadium.

Jeff  has over 36 years of experience in various engineering and management positions with Portland General Electric. He is currently the project manager helping to supporting PGE’s operations after joining the Western Energy Market in October 2017.  Jeff spent his first 9 years providing engineering support to Generating Plants at PGE.  He moved into a management roll in 1992 and has worked as supervisor of Transmission Engineering, Manager of Distribution Engineering, Operations Manager for the Utility Asset Management Group, and System Planning and Engineering Manager.  A 1982 graduate of Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, Wheeler earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He currently resides in Hillsboro with his wife Carla.  Jeff enjoys spending time with his family, woodworking, and playing golf and tennis.  He has held numerous positions with a variety of civic organizations including school board chairman for the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Academy in East Multnomah County, and The Oregon Sports Authority.

Originally from Montana, Mike, and his wife Sherri, have called Portland, Oregon home since 1996. Mike is a career commercial banker and currently serves as the Oregon and SW Washington Regional President for HomeStreet Bank. Prior to this, Mike was with Columbia Bank and oversaw their Portland Metro Commercial Banking, he also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer for Northwest Bank. Mike believes it is important to serve his community whenever he can add value. He has a strong connection to his church and to organizations that serve the disabled and disadvantaged. Mike volunteered as an Edison Board member from 2001–2007, and he returned to the Edison Board in 2013. Go, Ducks!