Jeff Edinger, Executive Director
Jeff Edinger, Executive Director
Jeff Edinger comes to GDDA with a background in real estate development and consulting. With over ten years of experience as a business professional in Real Estate Development, Consulting, Marketing, and Acquisitions he is an adept leader who is eager and capable of helping to stimulate and grow our city core. Jeff has worked in all facets of the land acquisition and land valuation processes, and has consulted for municipalities, private and public companies, and banks. Additionally, Jeff has extensive experience conducting market research and feasibility analyses for properties located throughout the United States. In his own words, “I’m extremely excited to be working with a dedicated and talented Board of Directors and look forward to advancing my skill set and promoting development and growth in one of Oregon’s greatest cities”. Jeff is a graduate of Colorado State University and in his free time enjoys hiking, fishing, and mountain biking.
Meerta Petschi Meyer, President
With over a decade of experience in Real Estate, Meerta joined the Westlake Realty Group, Inc., a privately owned Real Estate firm headquartered in San Mateo, California, in October 2004. Meerta manages approximately 500,000 square feet of Commercial Real Estate within Gresham’s Regional Center including both Gresham Station Shopping Center and the Gresham Station North Development. Her experience in property management has allowed her the opportunity to develop a diverse set of skills that have promoted her success in Commercial Real Estate. Meerta finds her work both challenging and satisfying. Even with her busy professional life she considers motherhood her greatest accomplishment. Meerta was born and raised in Oregon and is a graduate from Oregon State University. Meerta has been a member of the Board since 2005.
Dwight Unti, Past President
Dwight Unti is President of Tokola Properties, Inc. A real estate company founded in 1977 and focused on the development, management and ownership of multifamily properties in Oregon and Washington. He is a graduate of the University of Washington, past President of Columbia River Chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management and past President of the Multifamily Housing Council of Oregon. Dwight and his wife Tracie have lived in Gresham since 1999. Dwight has been a Board member since 2005.
Stephanie LH Barrie, Secretary
Stephanie left the farm in Phoenix, Oregon in 1986 to attend Willamette University (BA in Communications and Theatre 1989) as well as Willamette Center of Dispute Resolution (Certificate 1993) and Willamette College of Law (Doctor of Jurisprudence 1993). She became an Oregon certified Mediator in 1993 and joined the Oregon State Bar and American Bar Association in 1994. She has been a divorce and family attorney in Multnomah and Clackamas Counties since. Stephanie came to Gresham after 1990, when she married her husband, Robert (a Sam Barlow boy) and they purchased their home and then their commercial property in downtown Gresham together. Since 2005, they and Stephanie’s parents have renovated the old Barger Carpet Building (also temporarily the site of Easthill Church in the 1930’s) and turned the old Foursquare Church into an office complex. Stephanie believes in the importance of integrating work, community and family and she and her husband both work from their commercial building, which is located within a mile of their home. Their 4-year old daughter, Annalena Rose, also comes to work with them, staying on-site with her nanny and maternal grandparents. Stephanie is one of the newest members of the board.
Rodger Jolly, Treasurer
Rodger Jolly is not new to the GDDA Board nor the position of Treasurer. Rodger served as GDDA Treasurer from 2001 to 2004. After a successful business career Rodger is now retired but agreed to spend some of his free time working on GDDA projects and serving as the GDDA Treasurer. Rodger is a talented artist and in addition to working as a GDDA Board Member spends time creating wonderful works of art using stained glass.
Sue O’Halloran, Director
To say that Sue O’Halloran is an active member of our community would be an understatement. Sue is a dedicated and passionate advocate for the betterment of Gresham. Sue’s day job is the lead real estate broker at KMO, Incorporated. Sue has held many leadership positions on local and state levels and has over 25 years of real estate related experience..
Jason Thorp, Director
Jason Thorp was born & raised in Boring Oregon. His Grandfather was a strong inspiration, teaching him true craftsmanship & honesty. By the time he graduated from Sandy High School, he already had 4 years of Building Construction already under his belt. Jason became the President of Thorp Construction Company in 1998. Located in Historic Downtown Gresham, Thorp Construction Company specializes in Period Restoration and Remodeling. He is a member of the Greater Gresham Chamber of Commerce, the Historic Downtown Gresham Business Association, and GDDA, as well as the Architectural Heritage Center & Oregon Remodelers Association. Jason has been with wife his Rae since 1993 and has recently been blessed with a daughter, Meadow.
Sara Wright, TMA Associate
Sara, GDDA’s new part-time TMA Associate, is excited to work in Gresham to improve transportation options for the community. Sara has a Master of Public Health degree from Boston University and a background in environmental health. She is interested in connectig the fields of public health and urban planning to promote health and wellness through changes in the built environment. Sara will graduate from PSU’s Master of Urban Planning program in June 2010. Sara, her husband, Kirk, and their daughters, Sophie and Matilda, have been car-free for ten years, and shop locally as much as possible.