Gresham Downtown Development Board of Directors & Staff
Dwight Unti, President
Tom Orth, Vice President
Dan Pagano, Secretary
Rodger Jolly, Treasurer
Fred Bruning, Director
Terry Fitch, Director
Meerta Petschi, Director
Mike Rossman, Director
Kathy Everett, Executive Director
Sue O'Halloran, Liaison to Center for the Arts
Kathy Everett, Executive Director
Born and raised in Iowa, Kathy has a Nursing / Psychology degree from the University of Iowa and her Associates Degree of Business from the University of North Texas. She has worked in public health and held various administrative positions in the financial services, real estate investments, property management, and eventually redevelopment of an executive suite in Dallas. After relocation to the Aspen area in Colorado, she started her own business consulting and providing services to a variety of businesses and associations. Kathy has worked for GDDA since November of 2000. A mother of three grown children, and a grandmother to 5, she is committed to community service, and enjoys the arts, photography, reading and quilting in her spare time.
Dwight Unti, 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.
Tom Orth, Vice President
Born and raised in Oregon, Tom is a graduate from PSU with a degree in Business Administration. Building homes since 1983, he is the owner of Tom Orth Construction and is one of the earliest contractors to build in the Persimmon development. In his spare time he enjoys coaching girls and boys basketball, and camping in Eastern Oregon. Tom and his wife Kim, a nurse with the State of Oregon, enjoy caring for and riding their horses together. Tom has served on the GDDA board since 2001.
Dan Pagano, Secretary
Dan has worked at the Gresham branch of US Bank since 2003. He is also a committee member for the Gary Walls Meet of Champions, the 2nd Vice President Elect of the Sandy Kiwanis Board, a trustee for the "Robert Eubanks" memorial Trust, and serves on the finance council for St. Michael's Catholic Church in Sandy. He and his wife, Tammy, have lived in Sandy since 1993 with their three children Sam, Joel & Isabella. Dan has served on the Board of Directors since 2004.
Fred Bruning, Director
Fred Bruning received his Juris Doctor from Loyola Univeristy and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Pomona College, both in California. He began his real estate career as legal counsel for Sears, Roebuck & Co., and has worked in development for John Price Development Co., Alexander Haagen Company, and Center Oak Properties. Projects he has been involved in include Gresham Station, Gresham Station North, Mall 205, and Bridgeport Village. He and his wife Brandace relocated to Gresham in 2002. Fred has served on the Board since 2004.
Terry Fitch, Director
Terry has been a realtor in East County since 1958, and was a broker for Real Estate Marketing Concepts until its sale to John L. Scott. He has served as President of the Gresham Board of Realtors, and was named Realtor of the Year in 1996. He and his wife, Rosalie, have 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren, especially enjoy family gatherings, golfing, traveling and working with the people of Gresham. Terry was elected to the Board in 2001.
Rodger W. Jolly, Treasurer
Rodger was born in Portland, attending Clark College and Portland State and serving for 2 years in the US Naval Air Service. In 1970 Rodger left the truck manufacturing business to work in real estate, homebuilding and investments until 1984. At that time he returned to Freightliner, and will retire from that company in February of 2006. Rodger has two grown children, Jennifer and John. John has recently safely returned from his second tour of duty in the mid-east. A longtime property owner in the downtown, Rodger joined the board in 2004.
Meerta Petschi, Director
With a decade of experience in Real Estate, Meerta, joined the Westlake Realty Group in October 2004. Meerta manages Gresham Station Shopping Center as well as the Gresham Station North Development in the Civic Neighborhood. Her experience in property management has allowed her the opportunity to develop a diverse set of skills that have promoted her success in the property management business. 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.
Michael Rossman, Director
Mike received his Bachelors of Business and Finance from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in 1990. He is a senior member of Peak Development, and is the main liaison with cities, financial institutions, Metro, and other organizations involved in their projects. Projects in Gresham have included the Key Bank building renovation, Rossman Mixed Use, Central Point I, Landmark at 8th, Sienna Lofts and the Crossings at Gresham Station. Mike joined the GDDA board in 2005.
Sue O'Halloran, Liaison to Center for the Arts
President of Kohler, Meyers, O'Halloran, Inc. a real estate firm specializing in commercial and residential sales, leasing and development. She is a board member and Past President of Gresham-Barlow Education Foundation, Soroptomist International of Gresham, and Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce. Currently she serves as a member of the City of Gresham's Finance and Budget Committee, the Development Advisory Group, the Oregon Community Foundation, and the Metropolitan Portland Leadership Council. Sue was Gresham's Citizen of the Year in 1995.