PCS Announces New Chair of Board of Trustees

Portland Center Stage announces Steve Hedberg, a partner at Perkins Coie, LLP as the new chair of the board of trustees at Portland's largest professional theater company. Hedberg was elected chair, along with seven other officers, by the full board in June 2011 and began his post July 1.

Steve Hedberg has deep roots in the Pacific Northwest having grown up in Portland, where for more than 25 years he has practiced law, working with clients seeking cost-effective and creative ways to both resolve insolvency problems and take advantage of opportunities presented in insolvency circumstances. Steve is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, listed as one of Oregon's top fifty "Super Lawyers" and is Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy and Creditor Rights by the American Bankruptcy Board of Certification. In addition to his practice, Steve is one of four partners who serve on Perkins Coie's firm-wide Management Committee. "I am honored to be Board Chair for Portland Center Stage-whose mission is to inspire our community by bringing stories to life in unexpected ways - which I believe PCS does wonderfully through productions of existing and original work and acting as the steward of the Gerding Theater at the Armory, a Portland jewel and a resource to the entire community," said Hedberg.

Hedberg joined the PCS board in 2008 and has served as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. "I'm delighted that we've captured one of the rising stars of Portland leaders. Steve brings a high level of creativity, energy and brain power into the room, and his positive outlook inspires those around him," said Artistic Director Chris Coleman.

Along with Hedberg, the Portland Center Stage board of directors is led by seven other officers. The two vice chairs are Mary Boyle, Civic Volunteer, and newly-elected N. Christian Anderson, President and Publisher of The Oregonian. John Taylor, Co-Founder of Arcadia Investment Corporation, is the new treasurer. Chrys Martin, a Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, is the new secretary. Immediate Past-Chair Mike Golub, COO of the Portland Timbers, will remain an officer for one year. And Julie Vigeland, Civic Volunteer, and J. Greg Ness, CEO and President Standard Insurance Corporation, are Directors Emeritus.

In addition to a new slate of officers, the board is happy to welcome five new members to the general board of directors: Don Blair, VP & CFO, Nike Inc.; Evie Crowell, retired, Portland State University; Heather Killough, owner, Lucky Limosine; David R. Lofland, Jr., Senior Vice President, Key Bank; and Peter V. Potwin, Vice President/CFO, Benson Industries LLC. All joined the board of directors July 1, 2011.

Portland Center Stage endeavors to "inspire our community by bringing stories to life in unexpected ways." Established in 1988 as a branch of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, PCS became an independent theater in 1994 and has been under the leadership of Artistic Director Chris Coleman since May 2000. The company presents a blend of classic, contemporary and original productions in a conscious effort to appeal to the eclectic palate of theatergoers in Portland. PCS also offers a variety of education and outreach programs for curious minds from six to 106, including discussions, classes, workshops and partnerships with organizations throughout the Portland metro area.

THE GERDING THEATER AT THE ARMORY houses a 599-seat Main Stage and the 200-seat black box Ellyn Bye Studio. It was the first building on the National Register of Historic Places, and the first performing arts venue, to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification. The Gerding Theater at the Armory opened to the public on Oct. 1, 2006. The capital campaign to fund the renovation of this hub for community artistic activity continues. Information about the campaign is available at http://www.pcs.org/armory_campaign/.

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