Board of Directors

View Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes

View the Columbia Gorge ESD Board Policies

If you have any questions regarding Board meetings or governance, please email boardinfo@cgesd.k12.or.us or call (541) 298-5155.

Chair - Paul Zastrow

Chair - Paul Zastrow, Hood River

Paul represents Zone 7, Hood River County (voting precincts 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12), where he was employed as a teacher for 29 years. He has been retired since 1998. His concerns regarding school funding lead him to join the board and have also taken him into state politics. To quote Paul, "When a state like Oregon has such a sound economy, it is a shame that we have not addressed school finance solutions or ensured that the children of Oregon have an adequate educational opportunity." Term of Office: July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2025.

Picture of Board Member Doug Nelson

Vice Chair, Doug Nelson, At Large

Doug is our Zone 4 - At Large Representative. He was appointed to the Columbia Gorge ESD Board in October of 2021. Term of Office: Thru June 30, 2025*.

Doug is our Zone 4 - At Large Representative covering all of Hood River and Wasco counties.

He was appointed to the Columbia Gorge ESD Board in October of 2021 and elected in 2023 to complete his term, which runs through 2025.

He is a retired educator having served in a variety of roles including teacher, athletic coach, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, adjunct professor, consultant, and superintendent for 19 years retiring from the Bend La Pine Schools in 2008. He has also served on the board of the High Desert ESD and is a past president of the Oregon School Boards Association.  In all, he has been involved in public education for over 50 years. 

He moved to The Dalles to be closer to grandchildren in 2019 with is wife, Virginia who is also a retired educator. 

* This position was placed on the May 2023 ballot as an unexpired 2-year term, which will conclude June 30, 2025.

Stephanie Ritchie, The Dalles

Stephanie Ritchie, The Dalles

Stephanie comes to the CGESD Board with 48 years of experience in education. She started as a classroom teacher then served as principal at St. Mary's in The Dalles for 27 years. Stephanie was a principal and district administrator in the Cascade School District for nine years. She then enjoyed five years as the School Improvement Director at CGESD and seven years as a leadership coach helping school principals improve student outcomes and navigate federal requirements. Serving on the CGESD Board will allow her to continue to work in the area of school and district improvement to support student learning. Stephanie represents Zone 1, located within the boundaries of North Wasco County School District #21. This zone represents Wasco County voting precincts 2, 3, and 6. Term of Office: July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.

Stacey Holeman Photo

Stacey Holeman, The Dalles

Stacey was a classroom teacher for 24 years - kindergarten through 5th grade in various combinations - then served as the director of a District 21 Structured Learning Center for students with Autism and Multiple Disabilities for 10 years before retiring in 2014.  She is a Distance Educator for Heritage Institute, offering credit for volunteer and language learning trips in Latin America, and the founder and director of Beca Project, a scholarship and social aid nonprofit based in a small town on Lake Atitlán in Guatemala.

Stacey represents Zone 2, which represents residents in Wasco County voting precincts 1, 5, and 7 (within the North Wasco County School District #21 boundaries-Western The Dalles to the Hood River County border). Term of Office: July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2025.

Board Director Jeff Wallace

Jeff Wallace, South Wasco County

Zone 3 in South Wasco County (voting precincts 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14).  Term of Office: through June 30, 2025.*

Jeff represents Zone 3, South Wasco County. He is a practicing attorney with Timmons Law, in The Dalles, and is  a former circuit court judge and elected district attorney in northeastern Oregon.

His wife, Ronda, is a retired educator.  They have four grandchildren, three of whom live in The Dalles. Jeff brings many  years of experience as an attorney, father and grandfather to the CGESC Board, and looks forward to serving.  

* This position will be placed on the May 2023 ballot as an unexpired 2-year term, which will conclude June 30, 2025.

Suze Nigl, Hood River

Suze Nigl, Hood River

Suze was appointed to the Zone 5 position in September, 2007. This position represents Hood River County voting precincts 4, 6, 8, and 13. She is currently retired, but previously worked for the Hood River County School District for 28 years. She is very familiar with the schools and community in Hood River County. She is also a member of the Odell Lioness Club and the Hood River Valley Christian Church Board of Directors. Term of Office: July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.

Director Dianne Level

Dianne Level, Hood River

Dianne represents Zone 6 in Hood River County (voting precincts 1, 2, and 5). Dianne was elected in May 2023. Term of Office: July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.

Dianne represents Zone 6, Hood River County (voting precincts 1, 2, and 5) where she was employed as a teacher at Westside Elementary for 34 years. Her husband, Bob, is also a retired educator.

As a long time resident, she cares deeply for her community, the schools and education programs throughout the Columbia Gorge. Dianne’s years of experience as a teacher, parent, grandparent, private business owner and family service counselor have equipped her with a strong foundation for her role as a CGESD board member. Dianne is honored to serve on this board.