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Meet our Team
View the Future (VtF) board of directors, staff & partners bring a wealth of experience and passion to ensure that our natural resources are preserved and cherished. Together, we work tirelessly to promote sustainability and stewardship for the benefit of all.
Board Officers
Joanne Kittel, Co-Chair
Joanne Kittel, a retired psychotherapist, brings her expertise to environmental advocacy in Yachats, Oregon. For over 30 years, she has led projects like Amanda’s Trail, enriching the area’s ecology, economy, and heritage.
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John Theilacker Co-Chair
John discovered Oregon’s central coast in the 1990s and returned to Yachats in 2020 after retiring from a career in land use planning and conservation. Now Co-Chair of View the Future, he applies his expertise to protect Yachats’ natural resources and enhance its vibrant community.
Dean Peterson, Treasurer
​After a career with General Electric, Dean settled in Yachats, inspired by its natural beauty and welcoming community. Through his work and involvement with View the Future, he is dedicated to preserving and protecting the area for future generations.​​
Bette Perman, Secretary
Bette Perman has cherished Yachats for over 40 years. A retired nurse and educator, she and her late wife, Barbara Frye, built their Yachats home in 1998 and retired there in 2010. Now a View the Future Board member, Bette is passionate about preserving the area’s natural resources and sharing its beauty and history with others.
Board Members
Michael moved to Yachats from the northern California Coast, drawn by its natural beauty and watershed. A former artist and community organizer, he has contributed to local art projects like the Commons mural and the Finding Balance sculpture. Michael is passionate about conserving the environment and supports View the Future’s efforts to protect the area's unique qualities.
Jesse, Central Coast Destination Manager with the Oregon Coast Visitors Association, works to enhance the visitor experience while enjoying the outdoors in Yachats, Oregon. An avid outdoorsman, fisherman and forager, he is passionate about projects that connect people with nature and promote environmental stewardship.
Hui Rodomsky, Member
Hui is an environmental scientist and land use planner focused on coastal ecosystems and community governance. She works as the South Coast Regional Representative for the Oregon Dept of Land Conservation & Development. Hui serves on the VtF board to support conservation
​Kevin (JD/MA) is the Director of Emergent Resilience, a non-profit focused on building resilience in a climate-changing world. He previously worked as an environmental attorney in Washington, D.C., advising President Obama’s Blue-Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future. Kevin also led projects that secured over $500 million in loan guarantees and tax credits for more than $1.5 billion in project capital.
Shannon is an author, retired teacher and photographer. She moved to the Oregon Coast with her family in 2020 for the ways that it reminded her of her home of Vancouver Island. Her commitment to social justice and community care is at the heart of the work she does in the world. Shannon is View the Future’s lead storyteller that meets with groups of all ages to share about Yachats' indigenous history and culture and joined the board in 2026.
Steve (MSc/PhD) is a marine biologist with four decades of experience as a research scientist, fisheries manager, and resource specialist along the coastlines of the United States and British Columbia. His portfolio includes activities that focus on conservation, climate change, coastal hazards, and habitat enhancement in a variety of land-margin ecosystems. Steve previously served for 21 years as the chief scientist for the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (Charleston, OR), and he recently retired after 14 years as the coast-wide leader for the Shellfish Program within the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Staff
Gretchen brings 30 years of non-profit leadership experience to her role as Executive Director. Previously, she led the Oregon Supported Living Program, expanding funding and sustainability. Gretchen is excited to use her expertise in fundraising and strategic planning to advance View the Future's conservation efforts.
Emeritus Board Members
Rod Shepard
Shelly Shrock
Katherine Guenther
Michael Hempen
Sherry Dickinson
Sam Hillman
Liz Byrd
Don Niskanen
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Charlie Bartsch
Jerry Kimmel
Andrea Scharf
John Purcell
Greg Scott
Nan Scott
Craig Birdie
DK Foster
Jocko Doss