Current
Board of Directors

Bob is retired from 38 years with Forest Service/Bureau of Land Management, wherein he was a falling/dozer boss in wildland firefighting (20 years), wild horse wrangler (5 years), Range Management Specialist (30 years), and also surveyed, worked in invasive species management, and timber contracting. Bob’s hobbies include trout/steelhead fishing, fly tying, road cycling, playing the bagpipes, and cooking.

Bob, Terri, and son Geoff moved to Jacksonville in 1989. Geoff and his wife Kerry live and work in McMinnville, Or.

Bob joined the Jacksonville Woodlands Association (JWA) and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) as a way of giving back to the community that he greatly appreciates. Bob’s 38 year career lends itself to both these volunteer organizations.

Michael moved to Jacksonville, with his wife, Leslee Parr, in June of 2017. Both Leslee and Michael are retired faculty members from the Department of Biological Sciences at San Jose State University.

At SJSU, Michael was the program director of Field Studies in Natural History. This multidisciplinary program, run through the College of Science, has a long history of introducing both students and the general population to the natural world. In particular, Michael spent 15 happy years directing spring break programs in Death Valley, CA. He also enjoyed backpacking to sites from the southern Sierra Nevada to the Marble Mountains near the Oregon border. It's easy to understand that devoting time and effort to the Jacksonville woodlands is a natural expression of Michael's history.

As one of the founding members of the Jacksonville Woodlands Association, Anne Uzzell has a deep appreciation for the incredibly special trail system that surrounds our town, as well as the amount of work that goes into making – and keeping - it a reality.

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, followed by college in Kansas, Anne found her way to a life in the Rogue Valley over 50 years ago. Anne loves to spend time in the out-of-doors and you may see her on her daily walks in the Woodlands, accompanied by a black Labrador Retriever. Anne has spent over 44 years as an avid backpacker and hiker, from trips all over the western United States to Nepal, South America and Europe.

Anne retired from the Medford School District; she and her husband, Eric Ronemus, both worked at Jacksonville Elementary for many years, and enjoy running into former students.

Chris Johnson grew up in Oak Park, Illinois and gained an appreciation for the outdoors in Boy Scouts. He earned a Forestry degree at Southern Illinois University and began his forestry career with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Salmon, Idaho.

Chris became interested in wildland fire and fuels management and made that his primary career focus as he moved into a fuels specialist position. He moved on in 2006 and held a fire management officer position on the Huron-Manistee National Forest in Michigan for three years and then returned to Oregon on the Umatilla National Forest, in Pendleton, as a Deputy Fire Staff Officer where he retired in 2017. Chris served on a National Incident Management Team as a wildland fire behavior analyst and division supervisor.

Chris, his wife, Becky, and their two boys moved to Jacksonville in 2018 and have enjoyed the hiking trail systems that Jacksonville offers. He also enjoys home improvement, camping, hunting and fishing. He joined the Jacksonville Woodland Association as a Board member in 2018 and works to assist the Board with fire and fuels management issues in the woodlands.

Gary Sprague is retired from teaching chemistry and astronomy for 35 years, mostly at North Medford H.S. His wife, Louise, is a retired RN.

Both residents of Rogue Valley since 1974, moved to Jacksonville in 2001, and joined JWA in 2009. They enjoy the woods and scenery of Southern Oregon. Their family includes three boys and their wives, and 6 grandchildren.

Along with Tony Hess and Dick Ames, Gary was a primary force in developing Forest Park from a 1400 acre watershed forest into a very popular park with 50 miles of hand built trails, bridges, and kiosks. Clayton Gillette and others have been added to this dedicated workforce.

Cliff Oakley grew up in the Rogue Valley and has lived in Jacksonville since 2009. He has a Masters degree in Biology from Southern Oregon University and worked as a wildlife biologist for the BLM before switching to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1999. He retired from the fish and wildlife service in 2006 and also ran a wildlife consulting business.

I love to hike and be out in the woods be it fishing on some remote stream or camping in one of Oregon's beautiful wild areas. So when I moved to Jacksonville and found the Woodlands trails right outside my door I immediately started to hike, run and ride by bicycle on those trails. I also enjoy getting out to work with people and nature so it was a natural for me to get involved in the Jacksonville Woodland Association. I have been a JWA Board Member since 2013.

Larry and Linda Smith have lived in Jacksonville since 1973. Larry began his teaching career in 1966 when he began teaching 5th grade at Jacksonville Elementary School where he remained for 33 years. Presently Larry is semi retired from teaching and now works as a substitute elementary teacher for the Medford School District. Larry was a National Park Ranger at Crater Lake for 23 summers. He presently heads up Crater Lake's Winter Volunteer Ranger Program. Larry and Linda have 2 adult children and seven grandchildren.

Larry is a founding member of the Jacksonville Woodlands Association having served as a board member, vice president, president, and currently as Executive Director.

Bill and Belinda Trageser moved to Jacksonville in 2014 to be closer to their daughter and her family who also live in Jacksonville. As avid runners and walkers they fell in love with the Woodlands trails. Bill and Belinda are originally from Humboldt County California where Bill was a Real Estate Appraiser and Belinda was a gardener at Humboldt State University. They joined the Jacksonville Woodlands Association to give back to the community.

Dan was Born in Pasadena, CA, moved to Sonoma County CA for college & employment, then came to Southern Oregon in ‘89. Business: Electronics, mostly materials management, contracts & IT, then ran a sportswear manufacturing business, plus other ventures. Dan spends time these days making custom “memory quilts” for folks all over the world. Dan was a contractor in construction, remodeling, tile & hardwood.

On the volunteer front, Dan has been a member of several non-profits and councils, also serving on the Board and as Chair. Subjects were mostly for community improvement, small business development and public safety.

Dan was treasurer of the Wolf Creek Rural Fire Protection District. One notable district accomplishment was a successful fuels reduction program in the broad community on both private and public lands.

Dan enjoys photography, pottery, stained glass, hiking, rafting, boating, fishing, snorkeling, gardening, golfing, live music & movies, cooking, sewing and reading. He is currently the Treasurer for Jacksonville Woodlands Association.

Talon Reed is a lifelong Southern Oregonian, born in Medford and raised on a small farm in the Applegate Valley. For him, the outdoors has always been a source of adventure and renewal. An Eagle Scout and Outward Bound alumnus, Talon is also a local attorney and has served as an elected city council member in Jacksonville. He enjoys hiking, swimming, and camping with friends and family. Talon is honored to be a part of the Jacksonville Woodland Association and is proud to help the community connect with and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors.