Staff & Board

Tabitha Crystal Eck - Executive Director

Born and raised in Lane County, Oregon, Tabitha is a devoted leader passionate about innovative solutions and the vitality of the McKenzie River Valley. With extensive non-profit experience, she served as Co-Executive Director at Community Supported Shelters, led the Community Engagement Team at St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, and was the Director of Strategic Operations & Resources at the Eugene Mission. Tabitha honed her business skills at Our Daily Bread, the family restaurant in Veneta, Oregon where she met her husband of now 20 years, Marshall Eck, a talented chef who had been born and raised in Blue River, Oregon. Fulfilling a lifelong dream to live across the Goodpasture Bridge, they moved back Upriver to live in Vida and raise their family, now third-generation McKenzie High School students. In her free time, Tabitha explores the McKenzie River Valley both on and off-trail, captures moments through photography, appreciates good food, and cherishes time with loved ones. 

Braden Ravenscraft - Homeownership and Special Projects Manager

Braden grew up in a small town in Arizona and moved to Oregon to attend the University of Oregon, where he graduated with his degree in Planning, Public Policy and Management. A lifelong love for the environment led him to launch a career exploring how humans can adapt to a changing climate and world. He joined the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) AmeriCorps Program to further explore those interests and help rural communities in his new home state. After serving with MCLT for two years in the RARE program, Braden is excited to continue working with MCLT, with career interests including climate adaptation, affordable housing, and land trusts. In his free time, Braden likes to spend time outside, hiking and camping, as well as playing sports and cheering on the Ducks. 

Maureen Galbreath - Administrative Assistant

Maureen joined the McKenzie Community Land Trust in 2024, bringing over 35 years of expertise in administrative management and financial coordination. Her career is highlighted by a long tenure at Hexion (formerly Borden Chemical), where she rose from receptionist to Office Manager and Senior Administrative Assistant, managing complex R&D accounts and global client relations. Before joining MCLT, Maureen applied her organizational skills to disaster recovery efforts with the McKenzie Valley Long Term Recovery Group. At the MCLT, she leverages her background in fiscal oversight to support vital community initiatives.  A Pacific Northwest native, Maureen studied at Oregon State University and Merrit Davis Business College. In her free time, she is an avid "maker" who enjoys quilting, embroidery, and knitting.

Valerie VanAuker - Director of Finance & Grant Stewardship

Valerie joins the McKenzie Community Land Trust with decades of specialized experience in public administration, grant management, and financial oversight. Her professional background includes significant roles within Lane County, where she served as the Fire Recovery Grants Administrator and Senior Program Services Coordinator. In these capacities, Valerie managed over $124 million in state and federal funding for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and $71 million for fire recovery supporting vital initiatives including housing, homelessness, public health and infrastructure; experience that is directly applicable to MCLT’s post-disaster recovery mission following the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire.   Prior to her work in Oregon, Valerie held leadership positions with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and the Arizona Department of Health Services. Her expertise spans strategic planning, federal compliance, and nonprofit funding development.   Valerie is dedicated to community advocacy, having championed foster care and children's mental health initiatives. She currently serves as Board President for the Family Involvement Center and is Secretary for the Family Relief Nursery. In her spare time, Valerie enjoys music, theatre, winetasting and hiking.  

Dale Turnely - Project Manager

Dale brings over two decades of executive leadership in residential and public infrastructure to the organization. As a founding member of Locals Helping Locals as well as the MCLT Construction & Development Committee, he has been a key resource for the community’s rebuilding strategy, leveraging his technical mastery to deliver critical post-fire projects—including residential homes, commercial developments and school district repairs. Dale provides the high-level technical oversight necessary to develop complex community landmarks like the McKenzie Valley Wellness (Orchid Clinic) and Meyer’s General Store. His expertise in navigating Lane County’s jurisdictional challenges ensures that our housing developments adhere to the highest standards of fire resilience and quality required by federal funding.

Community Engagement Coordinator - Pending

We are looking for a parttime Community Engagement Coordinator to help us move our mission of accessible local housing and economic revitalization forward! We are looking for a can-do collaborator who thrives in a dynamic, community-centered environment. Whether it’s organizing local tours and events, managing our digital presence, or building relationships across the corridor, this role will be at the heart of our rebuilding efforts.

See the full job description here (link) and if you're interested, please email your resume and cover letter to info@mckenzieclt.org.

Lane Tompkins - Founding Board Member and President

Lane was raised in McKenzie Bridge and is a graduate of McKenzie Schools. Growing up, securing affordable, quality housing was a challenge for his mother. He thrived in the supports the McKenzie community provided, experiencing many world expanding opportunities such as athletics, clubs and travel thanks to the generosity of community members. 

He graduated from the University of Oregon (B.A. History ‘04) and Eastern Oregon University (Master of Teacher Education ‘06). His first teaching position took him to the rural Union County town of Imbler in eastern Oregon. Lane returned to McKenzie and has worked as middle/high school social studies teacher, coach, Assistant Principal, Principal and Superintendent. He and his wife Joan have three children.

Douglas Murkley - Founding Board Member and Vice President

Doug was born and raised along the McKenzie, growing up in Rainbow and graduating from McKenzie High School. After earning a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon, he became a licensed architect and small business owner.

Since the Holiday Farm Fire, Doug has been actively involved in fire recovery efforts, supporting families and business owners as they navigate the permitting and rebuilding process. With over two decades of industry experience, Doug is the owner of Douglas W. Murkley, Architect and Charles Marpet Fine Woodworking, where he blends high-level architectural planning with specialized craftsmanship. His portfolio includes residential and commercial design, as well as significant public infrastructure projects like city halls and medical centers—experience that proves invaluable as he chairs the MCLT Construction & Development Committee. Doug’s deep "Upriver" expertise includes work on several local landmarks and recovery initiatives where he brings both architectural and land-use experience to projects focused on strengthening the community’s future. 

Doug is married to his high school sweetheart, with whom he shares a daughter. In his free time, he enjoys remodeling their home, attending live music events, exploring local wine and beer, and discovering new places with his family.

Lacey Joy - Founding Board Member and Treasurer

Lacey is a third-generation McKenzie resident who has lived and worked in the community for most of her life and currently calls Nimrod home. A graduate of McKenzie High School, she went on to earn a degree in Criminal Justice from Johnson & Wales University (Providence, RI), a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Oregon, and a Master’s in Professional Accounting from Eastern Washington University.

 Lacey has served the McKenzie School District for 20 years and currently works as the Director of Special Programs. She brings extensive experience in writing and managing grants—including large federal grants—as well as overseeing budgets, invoicing, bookkeeping, and financial systems to everything she does, helping sustain and strengthen local programs.  

Lacey is the proud mother of two sons, with her eldest attending Oregon State University and her youngest in middle school at McKenzie. In her free time, she enjoys working in her yard, floating the McKenzie River, and camping and hiking with her dog, Beau.

Cliff Richardson - Founding Board Member, Executive Committee

A lifelong McKenzie resident and McKenzie High School alumnus, Cliff brings a wealth of local knowledge and professional expertise to the Team. His diverse career spans decades in the timber industry as a forester, logger, and construction company owner, followed by a second career in education.

In the classroom at McKenzie Community School, Cliff taught science and led hands-on vocational programs, bridging the gap between academic learning, the outdoors, and local trades. His commitment to youth extended to athletics as a baseball and basketball coach, and into the forest as a leader for Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) summer work crews.

As a founding member of the MCLT, Cliff is a passionate advocate for the local economy. Inspired by his own four sons raised in Blue River, he is dedicated to ensuring the next generation can afford to live and work and thrive in the community he has served for a lifetime.

Melanie Stanley - Founding Board Member & Secretary

Melanie is a Blue River fixture operating Meyer's General Store in downtown Blue River for the past 20 years along with her twin sister Melissa Norlund. The Stanley family has a long tradition of service to the community. In fact, the Blue River Fire Station was named in honor of their mother Patrica "Pat" Stanley in recognition of her contributions to the district. Their father Ed, continues to volunteer for the Fire Department. 

Following the Holiday Farm Fire, Melanie has provided support, organization and advocacy for survivors on many levels. During the evacuation phase, Melanie was a trusted communicator to those displaced to Eugene/Springfield area hotels liaising between survivors, the American Red Cross, Lane County as well as other supporting non-profits and clean up efforts of the properties of Blue River.

Darren Cross - Founding Board Member

Darren grew up with a love of the outdoors near Yosemite National Park. This passion led him to study Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at UC Davis, forming the foundation for a career dedicated to forest management and natural resources. 

Currently, Darren serves as the District Ranger for the McKenzie River Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest. He brings a wealth of experience from previous roles within the Methow Valley, Detroit, Middle Fork, and Mt. Adams Ranger Districts. In his role as District Ranger, Darren has witnessed firsthand how the lack of affordable housing directly impacts local workforces, often leading to unfilled positions and challenges for Forest Service employees. His work is centered on ensuring that those who care for the forest can also afford to live within the community they serve.

Samantha Winningham - Founding Board Member

Samantha was born and raised in Blue River. She graduated from McKenzie High School and has been a member of the Upper McKenzie Rural Fire Department for 8+ years. She is passionate about bringing the community back after the fire and creating opportunities for families to live and call home. She personally has a love for this community and the river and has chosen to build her life here with her family, raising two kiddos and recently purchasing a home. Her roots here are deep and she wouldn't have it any other way. 

Jane Wilson - Board Member

Jane fell in love with the McKenzie Valley at age 7, hiking and playing in its woods. Upon retiring, she and her husband, Bob, moved here permanently 10 years ago. After loosing their home after the Holiday Farm fire, they chose to rebuild and are passionate about helping their neighbors rebuild as well.

A Portland native, Jane earned a BA from the University of Oregon, a nursing degree from Portland Community College, and a Masters in Organizational Management from Phoenix University. As an RN, she managed the Providence Portland Family Maternity Center for over 30 years, fostering her passion for helping others. She previously worked for the Forest Service in the Portland Regional Office Fire Control division as well. 

Jane serves on the McKenzie Valley Wellness board and was instrumental in the rebuilding of the Blue River clinic. 

Michael Bruce - Board Member & Outreach Chair

Financial Strategy & Community Governance. Michael brings a specialized legal and advocacy background to the MCLT Finance Committee, having spent his career representing individuals navigating significant health and financial hardships. This professional expertise provides the committee with a deep understanding of the economic barriers facing working-class families, ensuring that the 16-unit development remains accessible to vital community members such as teachers and service workers. A resident of the McKenzie for over 35 years, Michael retired from his legal practice to focus on the recovery of the McKenzie after losing his own home in the 2020 disaster. By bridging his legal acumen with a firsthand understanding of the rebuilding process, Michael provides the fiscal oversight necessary to ensure that the Community Land Trust’s financial strategies are both technically sound and deeply responsive to the community’s long-term housing needs. Michael serves as the Chair of the Outreach Committee and participates on the Homeownership Committee.

Joel Zeni - Founding Board Member

Joel Zeni is a public safety leader and operations executive serving as Fire Chief of the Upper McKenzie RFPD and Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Brink’s Land Improvement. A lifelong resident of the McKenzie River Valley, Joel’s career in service began at age 15 with Search and Rescue, followed by joining the fire service at 17. He later earned degrees in forest and civil engineering from Oregon State University, forming the technical foundation for his dual expertise in emergency response and large-scale land management.

As COO at Brink’s, Joel directs multi-state operations in fuels reduction and infrastructure support, bridging the gap between proactive land management and on-the-ground wildfire mitigation. His commitment to the valley was often visible following the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire, spearheaded safety initiatives and a log donation drive that generated significant resources for local nonprofits. 

Since his appointment as Fire Chief in 2024, Joel has led a primarily volunteer department with a focus on wildfire preparedness and long-term resilience. Through his leadership in both the public and private sectors, he continues to play a vital role in strengthening emergency services and land management practices across the Pacific Northwest.

Karl Morgenstern - Founding Board Member and Former Treasurer

Karl recently retired from the Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) in Eugene, Oregon. Karl was the Watershed Restoration Program Manager for EWEB leading the response and recovery efforts to the devastation of the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire on the McKenzie Watershed, Eugene’s sole source of drinking water. He worked for EWEB for over 22 years managing the water quality team and drinking water source protection program. Prior to EWEB, Karl spent 10 years at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and seven years as an environmental consultant managing high priority cleanups at abandoned hazardous waste sites and responding to hazardous material spills.  He received a bachelors degree in geography from the University of Kansas. He also serves on the Board of the Upper Willamette Soil & Water Conservation District.

Kiger Plews - Founding Board Member

Kiger grew up on the McKenzie River and attended McKenzie High School. He received his Bachelors of Science in New Media Communications from Oregon State University and then switched gears and chased a dream career as a personal trainer. He has ran a personal training business based out of Vida for 8 years. He recently purchased property in Vida and is invested in and cares deeply about our local community and it’s future post-Holiday Farm Fire. In his spare time he loves lifting weights, spending time with family and friends, golfing, and has an affinity for 80`s rock and pop music. 

Austin Willhite - Founding Board Member

Austin was raised in and still resides in the McKenzie River area with his wife Kara and two small children. The opportunity to be a part of the MCLT is very exciting for him as housing is one of the biggest needs here on the McKenzie, making this the perfect opportunity to be a part of something helping this community.  He is a real estate broker at Willhite Real Estate and when not working he enjoys spending time with his family or doing anything outdoors.

Robin Meacher - Former Board Member

Robin spent her childhood in a small rural community in northeast California, an area devastated by the Dixie Fire in 2021. Her roots there built a foundation for her interest in supporting communities in self-expression and renewal in the face of economic and landscape change. Currently, Robin works at the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board in a program providing resources to support the ongoing viability of farms and ranches across Oregon after spending half a decade with McKenzie River Trust, focusing on conservation easement and fee title acquisitions. She has a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara and holds a J.D from the University of Oregon School of Law. She remains a member of the Oregon State Bar and previously worked in land use and environmental law. Robin enjoys time spent in the woods or on the water, most often trying to stay upright atop a mountain bike, kayak, or headstrong horse. 

 Betsy Hunter - Consulting Project Development 

Betsy Hunter has a lengthy background in real estate development that promotes housing affordability and economic development. She has directed real estate acquisition and development for Community Roots Housing and Plymouth Housing in Seattle, and for Homes For Good in Eugene. 

Betsy’s honors include a Seattle 2030 District “Visionary” Award, winner of the national American Institute of Architects “Show Your Green” award, and winner of Seattle AIA’s FutureShack Award. Betsy’s developments also garnered a Washington State Governor’s “Smart Communities” designation and a “Best in the Nation” cover spotlight on Affordable Housing Finance Magazine. Betsy holds a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Washington.