Southern Willamette Forest Collaborative

SARAH ALTEMUS-POPE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & FACILITATOR

Sarah convened the SWFC as a University of Oregon master’s degree project in 2014 and was hired as the SWFC coordinator in 2016. Sarah grew up in Oakridge and attended the University of Oregon where she graduated with a JD/MA Conflict Resolution. Sarah was a smokejumper in Missoula, MT for ten years and spent the last three years of her forest service career in Washington D.C. working for International Programs. For the past five years, she has guided the SWFC’s growth with the assistance of a ten-person steering committee. Sarah has secured all SWFC funding through grants from the Oregon Department of Forestry, the National Forest Foundation and the Willamette National Forest. Sarah has also helped to secure funding for SWFC partners to implement work that the SWFC supports.

DUSTIN RYMPH
PROJECT MANAGER

Dustin graduated in 2020 with an MS in Conflict Resolution from UO with a Land Use specialization. He did his graduate internship with SWFC, conducting a food systems analysis for the Oakridge area and helping to found the Westfir-Oakridge Local Food Hub (WOLFH). Dustin worked for SWFC as a RARE AmeriCorps member from 2021-2023. Before moving to Oregon, he worked in Nebraska as a horticulturalist, ecologist, and high school debate coach. He is currently working as Project Manager for SWFC, coordinating Firewise, Fuels Reduction, and recreation related projects. In his off time Dustin can be found exploring the quieter trails in the Willamette National Forest with his partner and their chihuahua.

THADDEUS CARTER
HOME HEATING UPGRADES PROJECT MANAGER

Thaddeus was raised in Oakridge, graduated from Oakridge High School and attended Lane Community College. He spent the past 17 years in the automotive industry working for Kendall Auto Group and the last 11 years creating their Paint Protection Department. Joining the SWS team provides him a way to live and work in his hometown community. His favorite thing about Oakridge is, well everything! The amazingly beautiful forest surroundings, the clear night skies, the lakes, the rivers, and last but not least the many different people from all walks of life that the Oakridge community is made up of.

MARIAH HULL
Project Assistant

Mariah was raised in Oregon, and has called Oakridge home for the past two years. She studied at Utah State University, where she graduated with a BS in Health Education and Promotion (Public Health). Her previous year was spent working at Oakridge Elementary School. Her favorite part of Oakridge is being surrounded by the beautiful Willamette, and having the opportunity to explore and enjoy the outdoor world. She is excited to work with Oakridge Air to continue to offer improvements to the community and help to cultivate a clean and safe environment for individuals and families. She is especially passionate about decreasing health disparities, and about fostering this prosperous environment for the youth of Oakridge and Westfir to grow up in!

August Reed
Outreach Coordinator

August was born and raised in the midwest. She has spent the last 9 years in Oakridge working in various roles throughout the community. August has a passion for helping others which she has shown through her work in the medical field, as well as teaching and leading local youth and volunteering for community organizations. Her favorite part of Oakridge is the sense of community and the wonderful outdoors. August is excited to connect members of the community with needed resources in her position as the Outreach Coordinator. When she isn’t working, you can find her training at Hidden Village Dojo & Studio, walking local trails, or bowling at Willamette Lanes.

Aaron Rhule
Disaster Resilience Coordinator

Aaron was born and raised in Oakridge. His family is deeply rooted in the community. He graduated from Oakridge High School then served 4 years in the United States Air Force. Afterwards, he moved home to Oakridge and began working for Penske Truck Leasing in Eugene where he was a Diesel Technician for 8 years. Before joining the Southern Willamette Forest Collaborative, Aaron traveled all over Southern Oregon as a financial services and telecommunications technician. He is beyond excited to serve the community he loves. As the Disaster Resilience Coordinator, Aaron is passionate about educating himself and others to be prepared as a community for unforeseen events and disasters. Being close to home daily and able to spend time with his two children are very important to him. When Aaron isn’t working, you can find him playing golf, disc golf or helping his wife with her local production company. Oakridge means the world to him, and he is overjoyed to utilize his skills and energy to give back.