Board

Jan has spent 50 years in the electrical field, specifically in designing, engineering, and developing high voltage electrical system upgrades in factories, commercial buildings, system power plants, city and utility electrical systems, including all construction and marine applications.

Twenty-five of those year were spent in industrial manufacturing processes, product (chemical and spectrographic) analysis, air-water chemical solid/hazardous waste management, regulatory compliance, project design and implementation. His business experience also encompasses employee supervision, labor/union relations, skills and sales training, environmental health/industrial hygiene, workers compensation insurance and fiscal management. On the business marketing side, Jan has handled media production and direct service sales and marketing of various product lines. In addition, Jan has nine years’ experience rebuilding boat and residential houseboat marinas.

He is an avid wetland and wildlands conservationist exemplified by the development and management of a 35 acre wildlife habitat and hazardous waste clean-up involving factories and water systems.

Jan served as associate director from 2015-2024, when he was appointed to fill the Zone 1 vacancy for the end of a term.

Associate Director since 2008, Bob manages a Sauvie Island Farm owned by his family since 1955. Angus cattle, various hay crops and a duck lake keep him busy. Bob retired after a 25 year career in the oil business. He brings to the board excellent business and farming experience. He has implemented a conservation plan for his land that includes several water and wildlife habit projects.

Shawn Looney was born and raised in Portland. She received BS and MS degrees from Portland State University, and retired in 2010 after working for 23 years as a Portland Public Schools Speech-Language Pathologist. Shawn and her husband David live in the Linnton area, where Shawn has been actively involved in the Linnton Neighborhood Association, the board of Roosevelt High School’s Alumni Association, and volunteer projects in Linnton to remove invasives and replant with northwest natives.

Before becoming a Director, Shawn served as a Board Associate Director from 2012 to 2014.

Weston Miller serves as Community and Urban Horticulturist for OSU Extension Service. Duties include management of the Master Gardener program with support from Metro and the Beginning Urban Farmer Apprenticeship.

He enjoys hiking and gardening with his family in SW Portland.

Before becoming a Board Director, Weston served as an Associate Director from 2011 to 2014.

Terri Preeg Riggsby was born in Virginia but also spent part of her childhood in Lima, Peru and Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Terri recieved her BA in Mass Communication at James Madison University and her Masters in Natural Resource Management at PSU. She also obtained the Watershed Management Professional Program Certification. Most recently, Terri worked as a senior Performance Auditor for the Oregon Secretary of State’s office, and now owns Babbling Brook Designs, producing and selling functional and environmentally friendly pottery.

Terri joined WMSWCD in 2006 because of her passion for improving and protecting our natural environment within an urban setting. She has spent over 10 years performing and advocating for on-the-ground restoration in and around the City of Portland and knows that getting the right partners working together will yield great results. These partners are already seeing great and positive impact on our watersheds by reducing non-point source and storm water pollution and Terri looks forward to continued success.

Terri and her husband Ben Riggsby have fun with their son Caleb. She also likes to hike, garden, and travel.

Director since 1982, Brian is the longest serving board member. Brian worked as a wetland ecologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 25 years, retiring in 2001. He owns a 54 acre agro-forestry operation in NW Multnomah County, including sheep and sustainably produced trees he uses for picture frames, gates and furniture.

Brian has been active with the Oregon Association of Conservation Districts and has volunteered his time at Resources and People (RAP) Camp, a week-long camp at Camp Esther Applegate for high school students throughout Oregon. His volunteer efforts on the Sturgeon Lake restoration planning group have helped obtain support from many organizations, resulting in a $42,000 grant from OWEB.

George Sowder was born in San Francisco and grew up in Bend, Oregon and St Paul, Minnesota. He attended Lewis and Clark College in Portland graduating with a bachelor’s degree in science in 1968. His primary career was as an auto mechanic, although he has tried his hand at many endeavors.

George joined the WMSWCD Board in 1999. He and his wife Judy Friedman have owned 20 acres of forest land in unincorporated Multnomah County since 1985, where they currently reside.

George has been active in the rural Northwest Skyline neighborhood since moving from Portland in 1971. He and another long time neighbor started what became the Skyline Ridge Neighbors (SRN) organization in response to development pressure during the early days of land use planning in Multnomah County. He remains active in the community as chair of SRN land use committee and is a member of the Skyline Grange.

Jane is passionate about native plants, habitat restoration, birds, frogs, and turtles. After a 29-year career as Marketing Manager of the Oregon Zoo, she retired and founded the Sauvie Island Habitat Partnership. Through this role she co-authored the Sauvie Island & Multnomah Channel Bottomlands Conservation Opportunities, a book published by the West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District that inspires and informs the future management and appreciation of natural resources, habitat and wildlife on Sauvie Island.

Jane also leads a crew of volunteer Weed Warriors, and organizes volunteers for the Harborton Frog Shuttle, which transports frogs from Forest Park, across Highway 30 to their breeding grounds, and back. She lives on Sauvie Island where she operates Sauvie Island Natives Nursery and delights in helping people pick plants that benefit wildlife. She is also on the boards of the Scappoose Bay Watershed Council and the Oregon Conservation Recreation Fund, and is active with the Lower Willamette Native Turtle Conservation Group.