Our Board
The Edison High School Board is comprised of dedicated individuals from a variety of backgrounds who generously offer their knowledge, talents, and experience to serve our school and our students.
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.
Chris is the CEO of Barhyte Specialty Foods, which makes branded and private label mustards and sauces. He attended Oregon State University and has been a football season ticket holder for the last 23 years. He has served on the City Council of Tualatin and the Black Butte Ranch Homeowners board. Chris and his wife Irene have two children
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.
Brittney attended the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA, and earned her M.A. in Teaching at the University of Portland in 2000. She has worked as a substitute teacher for Edison and as a middle school language arts, reading, and drama teacher at Evergreen Middle School in Hillsboro. She loves music, dance, and theatre, and has worked for the Young People’s Theatre Project for almost 20 years as a drama teacher and choreographer. Brittney is currently a stay-at-home mom and school volunteer, as well as a board member at the Young People’s Theatre Project and the Clark Foundation. Her family includes husband Chris Brooks, daughter Haven, and labradoodle Lucky Star.
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.
Originally from Dayton, Ohio Wendell moved to Portland in 1978 and began playing basketball for Portland State University. In 1980 a unique opportunity presented itself and he moved overseas where he played basketball in France for 5 years. Wendell returned to Portland and began working for a construction company. In 1992 he opened his own painting business; WCTJ, Inc. Wendell and his wife Phyllis are “Edison parents” and have 4 children. In his spare time he still enjoys playing basketball, watching the Blazers, and grilling ribs.
Originally from Montana, Mike has called Portland, Oregon his home since 1996. He is married to Sheri Williams, and they have two great grade school-aged kids, Blake and Gabrielle. Mike is a career commercial banker and currently oversees Portland Metro Commercial Banking for Columbia Bank. Prior to this, Mike 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 a Edison Board member from 2001–2007, and he returned to the Edison Board in 2013. Go, Ducks!