Who's Who
The 2012 Hope Ball Committee is made up of dedicated local individuals from Portland's business community. If you wish to join a committee or contact any committee members directly, please email the American Cancer Society Distinguished Events Director, Barbara Sanders at barbara.sanders@cancer.org.
Honorary Chairs:
Dr. Brian Druker
As a young oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Dr. Brian Druker remembers giving his patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) the bad news that their disease had progressed. He promised the families of patients who died that he would find a cure. In an effort to help Dr. Brian Druker accomplish this, the American Cancer Society awarded Druker over $60,000 for training in oncology and oncology research. When Druker moved to Oregon and started work with OHSU, Druker received the American Cancer Society's highest award, the Medal of Honor, along with a one million dollar grant for clinical research in 2002. Since that time, the internationally known researcher has become director of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and JELD-WEN Chair of Leukemia Research. His patients’ need for a cure and his promise to find one inspired Druker to develop the drug, Gleevec, into a powerful weapon against CML. This revolutionized the way cancer is treated. Before Gleevec, 50% of patients with CML survived their disease. Now, nearly 90% survive. For his contributions to medical research, Druker was the recipient of the 2009 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award. Many winners of this award have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize. The soft-spoken Minnesotan, who fits exercise into his schedule by running to work, received his M.D. from the University of California School of Medicine at San Diego, completed his residency in internal medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, and did an oncology fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School.
Mr. Robert Foote
Bob Foote, former President of Oregon Road Runners Club, founded the 197-mile Hood To Coast Relay. The first relay in 1982 drew eight teams that ran from Timberline to Kiwanda Beach near Pacific City, Oregon. In 1989, the finish area was moved to Seaside where it remains today. In 2005, Foote was diagnosed with melanoma, a less common skin cancer. After he was successfully treated, the race began to take a more aggressive approach to fundraising for the American Cancer Society. Since its inception, the race has become extremely popular, attracting 1,250 teams of elite and recreational runners, and has become the longest running relay race in the world. The race has also inspired the feature film documentary Hood to Coast that premiered in 2010. In 2011, the relay raised over $517,000 for the American Cancer Society.
2012 Hope Ball Co-Chairs:
Melissa Busley, Dunn Carney
Melissa Busley is an attorney at the law firm of Dunn Carney Allen Higgins & Tongue LLP. Her practice includes preparation of wills and trusts, advising clients on estate and gift tax matters, trust and estate administration, charitable gifting, and tax-exempt organization matters. Melissa earned her B.A. degree from Washington State University magna cum laude in 2000. She then received her J.D. (law degree) from University of Oregon School of Law in 2003 before she received her LL.M. (advanced law degree) from the University Of Washington School Of Law Graduate Program in Taxation in 2004. In addition to working with the American Cancer Society to put on the Hope Ball, Melissa enjoys reading Jane Austen novels and spending time with her husband Sam and her dog Eva.
Gabe Fasolino, Spirited Venture
Through Spirited Venture, Gabe Fasolino coaches leaders to create workplaces that work for everyone – employees, owners, customers, business partners, and the community. He has led numerous CEO networking/support/accountability groups including Risky Business, the Leadership Conspiracy, the Portland Transformational Leadership initiative, and SKITA (Swift Kick in the Ass). Gabe serves on the World Community Service Committee of the Rotary Club of Portland, and is Chair of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Committee. He co-founded Kenya Keys for Special Needs, supporting special needs children at the Ndohivyo School in Samburu, Kenya. Gabe loves spending time with his five kids and six grandkids, and is an intense racquetball, tennis and squash player.
2012 Board of Directors
Dr. Joshi Alumkal, Oncologist/Prostate Cancer
Dr. Joshi Alumkal specializes in caring for men with all stages of prostate cancer. He has advanced training in medical oncology (treatment of cancer with hormone therapy, chemotherapy or biological agents). Dr. Alumkal enjoys the opportunity to develop long-term relationships with his patients and their families and to travel on their individual journeys with them. In addition to caring for men with prostate cancer, Dr. Alumkal also performs clinical and laboratory research to understand why prostate cancer develops and how we may better control this disease. Dr. Alumkal is thrilled to be living in the Pacific Northwest. When he is not in the laboratory trying to improve our understanding of prostate cancer or spending time with his family, he enjoys reading, hiking and running.
Carole Bentley, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch,
Previous Hope Ball Co-Chair
Carole Bentley is Market Executive for Business Banking at Bank of America and is responsible for the Oregon/ SW Washington market. In her role, she leads a team of client managers who work with businesses with sales of $5 million to $50 million. Using the client manager’s knowledge of the company, they bring in a team of financial specialists to proactively provide solutions that are critical to the success of the business. Bentley is a graduate of Portland State University with a BS in Accounting. Carole is married, has two sons and a dog. She enjoys traveling, skiing, golfing and gardening.
Dawn Carter, Directors Mortgage
Dawn Carter has been serving clients and their mortgage needs since 1994. Dawn has been recognized as a top loan originator since 1995 and has been a member of CREW Portland (Commercial Real Estate Women) since 2003, including a position as chairperson. Dawn received her Finance degree from University of Oregon. For many years, Dawn has volunteered her time at local schools tutoring children with disabilities and adults in the ESL (English as a second language) & GED programs. She has also volunteered for and has been a contributor to the Boys and Girls Clubs.
Mike Dawson, Regence Life and Health
As the Director of Customer Experience, Mike is responsible for Regence Life and Health (RLH) customer service functions including billing, administration, product implementation and account management. Mike joined RLH to serve in this role in 2010, after serving in a variety of complex insurance roles nationwide. Mike has led campaigns within his employment to support Oregon Food Bank, Komen, and fundraising events for the Special Olympics. Throughout his line of work, and own family experiences, he became personally vested in contributing back to causes supporting certain disabling conditions.
Rich Ferguson, Sterling Savings
Rich Ferguson is the Team Leader for Sterling Savings Bank’s Portland Commercial Banking Team. Sterling is a leading regional commercial bank headquartered in Spokane, WA, with offices in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Northern California. Rich’s team of bankers provides full banking services to middle market businesses throughout Oregon. He has been with Sterling for over seven years and has been in banking for over 35 years. He is active in a number of community organizations.
Amy Fowler, EMC Corp
Share Gilbert, First American Title Company, Previous Hope Ball Co-Chair
Share Gilbert, is a National Commercial Services Representative for First American Title Company. She is recognized as an innovative creator of solutions for complex commercial real estate transactions. NCS offers commercial title insurance and escrow services from a single point of contact for every client, regardless of size, complexity or geographic diversity of the properties in a transaction. Share received her business degree from Western Business College. For many years, she has volunteered and helped raise funds for many charitable organizations. She loves spending time with family & friends, yoga, traveling and hiking.
Dan Hempy, Pacific Continental Bank
Jude Hubber, Hood to Coast, Board Chair
Jude Hubber is the Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for the largest relay race in the world, the Hood To Coast Relay. The Hood To Coast Relay raised over $517,000 for the American Cancer Society in 2011, and Jude looks forward to seeing that number continue to increase in the future. Jude enjoys following sports, reading, and kicking it with his wife. He would like to dedicate his involvement with the American Cancer Society to his grandma Marcia, a loving women missed for over 10 years.
Janet Larsen, Lane Powell
At Lane Powell, Janet Larsen represents businesses and individuals in all aspects of business and commercial litigation and dispute resolution, as well as providing general business advice. Her practice involves matters in state and federal courts throughout the country, with experience in multi-district litigation matters. In addition, she has extensive experience litigating and advising on fiduciary responsibilities of directors and officers in a wide variety of contexts, disputes involving trusts and estates, disputes involving real estate and insurance coverage. Janet received her J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School and is an executive member serving in the role of treasurer for the business litigation section of the Oregon State Bar.
Glenda Michael, Columbia Bank
Dave Porter, Geffen Mesher
As the Leader of the firm’s Forensic Accounting Practice, Dave’s experience includes litigation support and investigative accounting, internal control studies and fraud health check-ups for companies. Prior to joining Geffen Mesher & Company, P.C., Dave led two organizations he founded, through which he provided CFO and consulting services to privately owned companies. Earlier in his career, Dave was a senior manager with Ernst & Young in Houston, Texas and Portland, Oregon. Dave received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Austin State University and is a Certified Public Accountant, as well as a Certified Fraud Examiner.
Dan Scheinman, Portland Trail Blazers
Dan Scheinman is a Service Manager for Corporate Partnership at the Portland Trail Blazers. In his role as Service Manager, Dan is responsible for helping clients maximize their Trail Blazers partnerships through the design, implementation and evaluation of various marketing activities. Dan’s favorite part of his role with the Trail Blazers is connecting the Trail Blazers with the business community and helping spread the message of the Trail Blazers make it better foundation. The make it better foundation’s mission is to better the lives of children and families where they live, learn and play. He also volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the Beta Theta Pi Corporation Board of Directors. Dan graduated from the University of Oregon with degrees in Sports Business and Political Science.
Joe Sillay, Federal National Payables
Dave Sullivan, Perkins & Co., Previous Honorary Chair
Dave joined Perkins & Company in 2001. His responsibilities are to develop new business; establish strategic alliances with the firm and other businesses and professionals; and provide marketing, sales, and strategic management services for clients as needed. With more than 20 years experience in marketing, business development, and corporate communications, Dave has enjoyed a career that has included several diverse, yet successful positions. Dave began his career as a television journalist including a sports anchor position at a KGW-TV in Portland and he was an on-air co-host of the nightly syndicated program, PM Magazine. He is an active member of numerous business and community organizations.
Dr. Phoebe Trubowitz, Oncologist/Hematologist
2012 Committee Chairs
Auction Committee: Ben & Kristen Ertischek
Sponsorship Committee: Jim Cox & Nathan Schmitt
Logistics Committee: Cheryl Haynie & Brenna Thomas
Volunteer Committee: Carol Hushman
Marketing & Public Relations Committee: Gwen Millius & Mandy Hamilton
Committee Members
Erica Amesbury
Debbie B.
Alisa Blum
Elise Bouneff
Janet Brumbaugh
Brian Bushlach
Dawn Carter
Tina Christensen
Ashley Cline
Rhonda Cohen
Erick Frack
Cindy Fous
Christin Haehl
Greg Haynie
Melissa Henderson
Dorcas Holzapfel
Marie Hoskins
Katy Jorgensen
Maren Kilian
Ali Kirby
Lisa Leahy
Michelle Martin
Jeana McGlasson
Mary O'Connor
Beverly Castino
Jaime Pavel
Bill Ramey
Courtney Rogers
Kim Rush
Gabi Sanchez
Irene Sanders
Nathan Schmitt
Bill Self
Peggy Self
Denny Shleifer
Katie Stringer
Michele Tumpane
Lucille Van Houten
Mike Williams
About American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the ACS has state divisions and more than 3,400 local offices.
The goal of the American Cancer Society is to prevent cancer, save lives, and diminish suffering from cancer. To do this the American Cancer Society has a dedicated mission of fighting cancer through balanced programs of research, education, patient service, advocacy, and rehabilitation. All funds raised for the American Cancer Society support the mission of saving lives.
