Board President - Christy Christopher

Christy was born and raised in Hood River County (Oak Grove), playing among the orchards and forest as a young child. As a child, Community Education offerings (especially youth soccer) changed the trajectory of her life. Through her introduction to sports, she eventually became a star distance runner at Hood River Valley High School and a Division I athlete at Cornell University. To the role of HRVPRD Board Member, Christy brings a wide array of experience as an educator, small business owner, non-profit board member, athlete, and parent. She holds Master's Degrees in Education Policy and Business. Having grown up in Hood River, Christy sees the complexities that our ever-evolving community faces. She understands that we must cherish the heritage of our community while also adapting to evolving community recreational needs.
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Vice President — Martha Ortega-Verduzco

Recently the Hood River Valley Parks & Recreation District Board of Directors appointed Martha Ortega-Verduzco to finish the board position vacated by Glenna Mahurin who retired after 20 years of volunteer service. Martha grew up the Hood River Valley and now raises her family in Parkdale. She has been very active with community building over the years. Martha created the Hood River Latino Network, worked on the Farm Workers Overtime Bill HB-4002, Driver's License for All, and is active with the League of Women Voters. “I really look forward to this opportunity and working hard to make things happen for our community.” Martha said. The board of directors and staff are excited to welcome Martha to the Hood River Parks & Rec team.
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Secretary - Michael Howard

Mike is a native Oregonian and has lived in Hood River since 2018 with his wife Heather and young children, William and Claire. Mike has a graduate degree in sport and performance psychology, which allows him to not only enhance the performance and well-being of competitive athletes, but also to benefit underserved youth through life-skills development in urban and rural communities. In his current role as Director of Administration for The Next Door Inc., Mike works to ensure that the organizational culture is structured to best support the programs that strive to strengthen families and improve our communities. His personal philosophy in life is to use recreation and athletics to build confidence and optimism through self-reflective awareness and deliberate future-mindedness. Mike aims to help provide strategic and cohesive growth throughout the parks and recreation district in order to ensure the future successes and opportunities for all those within our wonderful valley.
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Board Member - Nan Noteboom

Nan is a veteran teacher at Hood River Valley High School. She lived in Parkdale for two decades, and after moving to Odell and enjoying the Odell Community Park, she was inspired to be a part of Parks and Rec.

Her three children, Noah, Clay, and Josie, have been raised in the shadow of Mt. Hood and its natural spaces. The Noteboom's are one of many families who rely on the green space that parks and trails provide for recreation as well as solitude.
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Board Member - Jace Castello

Jace Castello has lived in Hood River for over twenty years.  In that time he has coached basketball and soccer, helped organize the Gorge Kids Triathlon, coordinated the rebuild of the Children’s Park and helped the various school PTOs in all aspects ranging from volunteer to president.  He and his wife have been running an after school enrichment program for twenty years and he is supportive of all youth programming that we can offer in the area.  

He hopes that he can help the Parks & Rec continue to grow and offer services and facilities to all of the permanent members of our community while also being a model for visitors to see what our city is capable of.  In his free time, he is usually pursuing his interests in fitness, on the sidelines watching his 14 year old son play soccer or learning how to safely and respectfully forage mushrooms from our forests.
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