Portand Center Stage Welcomes Business Leaders to Board

Portland Center Stage is pleased to welcome N. Christian Anderson III, the president and publisher of the Oregonian Publishing Company; Stoel Rives partner Randolph Foster; and Arcadia Investment Corporation co-founder John Taylor to the Portland Center Stage Board of Directors, with 3 year terms starting in July 2010. Also joining the PCS Board in January 2010 were City Center Parking VP Mark Goodman, ZGF Managing Partner Bob Packard, Footwear Specialties International CEO Pat Ritz and Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor Michael Sheridan.

N. Christian Anderson III joined the Oregonian in November 2009. Anderson came to The Oregonian from Southern California where he had a long career with Freedom Communications, both as a corporate executive and as publisher and CEO of The Orange County Register. Anderson is, however, an Oregon native: he grew up in Heppner, Oregon, graduating from Albany Union High School and attending Oregon State University, where he graduated with a BA in Liberal StudieS. Anderson has held posts as the city editor of the Albany Democrat-Herald, the managing editor of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin and the Associate Managing Editor at the Seattle Times. In 1980 Anderson became the youngest editor of a major metropolitan newspaper when he was hired by the Orange County Register, ultimately shepherding the paper to two Pulitzer Prizes and garnering an Editor of the Year accolade from the National Press Foundation in 1989. Anderson has served on the board of a number of not-for-profit organizations, including Children's Hospital of Orange County, South Coast Repertory Theatre and the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts.

Randolph C. Foster is a partner of Stoel Rives, representing clients in business and intellectual property litigation, marketing, antitrust and trade regulation matters. He has handled matters for clients across a broad range of industries, including electronics, software, wood products, biotechnology, health care, petroleum products, advertising, telecommunications, retailing and motor vehicles. He is a frequent lecturer and author on issues associated with civil litigation, antitrust and the protection of intellectual property. Randy serves on the firm's Executive Committee and as Lead Partner for client relations. Before joining Stoel Rives, Randy was a legislative assistant to US Senator Frank Church, 1974 to 1978.John Taylor is co-founder of Arcadia Investment Corporation, a Portland-based investment research boutique with a focus on interactive entertainment, toys and technology.  In a bygone era, he served on the Board of the Eureka Theater Company in San Francisco.  JT and Barbara West have been theater addicts and patrons for more than 25 years.  (Occasionally known as "JT West," he is frequently seen in the company of well known PCS gala powerhouse Barbara West!)

Mark Goodman is the Vice President of City Center Parking, which has been owned and operated by the Goodman family since 1955.  He oversees the operations of office and field-related responsibilities and has worked in the business since 1981.  City Center Parking operates over 250 parking facilities in Portland.  Mark is also a partner in his family's real estate holdings, predominantly in Portland's central business district.   Mark is a Board Member of the Portland Business Alliance, Portland Mall Management, Inc. and B'nai Brith Summer Camp.

Bob Packard is ZGF's managing partner, responsible for directing the firm's strategic, financial and operational activities.  Recent projects include the National Institutes of Health Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center; Portland International Airport Terminal, U.S. Department of State in Istanbul, Sofia, Cape Town and London; The Children's Hospital in Denver, Beijing Children's Hospital; and National University of Singapore. Bob is past chair of the American Institute of Architects Large Firm Roundtable and past president of the Board of Trustees for Willamette University; he is also a former board member of the Architecture Foundation of Oregon Board and the AIA Portland Board of Directors. He also serves on the Regional Arts and Culture Council Advisory Board, the Mayor's Economic Advisory Board, the Mayor's Committee on Creative Service and the Portland Business Alliance China Mission Committee.

Pat Ritz is currently Chairman and CEO of Footwear Specialties International, a provider of Safety Work Shoes.  Previously he was the Founder and President of Oregon Title Insurance Company, retiring in 2000 after 40 years spent in the title insurance business in Oregon, Michigan and California. Pat currently serves on the boards of Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort, Neil Kelly Designers/Remodelers, KFK Seasonings, FW Financial Services and Footwear Specialties International. His non-profit board service includes HOST, a non-profit builder of homes for first-time, low income home buyers; Christie School; Japanese Garden Foundation; the Portland Art Museum; and the Ritz Family Foundation.
 
Michael Sheridan is Vice President, Financial Advisor with The Newhouse Sheridan Group of Merrill Lynch in Portland.  Co-founded in 2008, Michael and his group are focused on assisting corporations and their employees with implementing and servicing integrated benefit programs. Previously, he worked with both Morgan Stanley and UBS.  Prior to being recruited into financial services, he was Director of Sales & Marketing for YoCream International, a Portland-based manufacturer of frozen desserts and beverages.  Actively involved in the Portland community, Michael currently serves as Chair of United Way's Planned Giving Committee and  presides as President of the Oregon Alumni Chapter of the Stern School of Business at New York University.  Other organizations he supports include Winemakers Dinner Committee membership for the Classic Wines Auction.
 
These business leaders join a board headed by Board Chair Mike Golub (COO of the Portland Timbers). Other members include Barbara Baker, Mary Boyle, John Bradley, Christopher P. Cline, Eileen Day, Susan Desmond, Stephen Domreis, Robert L. Goodman , Connie Greenblatt, Tasca Gulick, Tanner Halton, Jessica Hamilton , Steve Hedberg , Donna R. Huntsman , Chrys A. Martin , J. Greg Ness , Stan Penkin , Mary Ruble, Mardi Saathoff, Howard Shapiro, Curtis Thompson, BrIan Wilson  and director emeritus Julie Vigeland.
 
Portland Center Stage endeavors to "inspire our community by bringing stories to life in unexpected ways."  Established in 1988 as an offshoot 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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