Spirit Mountain Community Fund and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde are honored to announce the appointment of Congresswoman Darlene Hooley to the Fund’s board of trustees. The Fund has eight appointed trustees—three are Tribal Council members, three are community members, one is a Governor’s appointee and one is a representative of Spirit Mountain Casino. The Congresswoman filled one of the community member positions and replaced Kris Olson, who served on the board since its inception in 1997.

Darlene Hooley began her career as a teacher and quickly became involved in politics. Her political career included being elected to the West Linn City Council, Oregon State Legislature and then to Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District, where she served 12 years in Congress. Darlene has been a passionate advocate for veterans’ issues and, as a former teacher, has a deep love of education and social policies that affect children. Darlene has two children and resides in West Linn, Oregon.

The Fund also welcomes Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. to the Board of Trustees as well. Bobb is a Grand Ronde Tribal member and was raised on his grandparent’s farm in the local area. A talented artist, he balances his duties as a Tribal Council member with his passion for painting, sculpting and other media. For more than 30 years, Steve worked as a sign painter, fabricator and designer. He has been married to his wife, Connie, for 42 years and together they have three children and 12 grandchildren. As a former Marine and Vietnam veteran, Steve participates in the local veterans’ committee and designed the West Valley Veterans’ Memorial that graces the Grand Ronde Tribal campus.

The Fund’s other trustees include:

• Sho Dozono—Board Chairman and owner of Azumano Travel in Portland, Ore.;
• Camille Mercier—Board Vice Chairperson, Grand Ronde Tribal member and Human Resources Director at Spirit Mountain Casino;
• June Sell-Sherer—Board Secretary, Grand Ronde Tribal member and Grand Ronde Tribal Council member;
• Kate Brown—Secretary of State and former State Legislator;
• Reyn Leno—Grand Ronde Tribal Member and Grand Ronde Tribal Council Vice Chair;
• Henry “Chip” Lazenby—General Counsel at Portland State University.