Meet The Team
Office Staff
Executive Director: Ruth Linoz
About Ruth:
Likes: Road trips, meeting and learning about people, planning and managing projects, and watching old movies.
Past Activities: Played the string bass in concert bands and orchestras; competed in volleyball, basketball, badminton, and coed softball; needlework;
Currently:
Dispatcher: Misty Hutchinson
About Misty: Misty has been a part of the South Lane Wheels team since 2008. She joined South Lane Wheels as a part time dispatcher but loved the job so much, that when the opportunity for her to become the full time dispatcher arose, she eagerly accepted the position. Misty enjoys the daily interaction she has with all of the riders and looks forward to coming into work everyday. When Misty is not busy dispatching, she is kept even busier at home by her two teenage daughters, two cats, a dog, a snake and three fish.
Bookkeeper: Valerie Jones
About Valerie:
Drivers
Mary Everndon
About Mary: We moved to Cottage Grove from the coast in 1964 and I joined the Wheels team in 1994. It was Senior Wheels at the time. I saw a real need for transportation for seniors that were unable to drive and in care centers and I wanted to help make a difference. Our service enhances their quality of life and well being and I am very thankful to be part of the team. I am very family oriented and we do many things together such as riding our quads at the coast and taking motorcycle trips.
Eli Olson
About Eli: I joined the Wheels team about 3 years ago and primarily drive the Route·Around·Town bus.
It is always rewarding to hear from a rider how much they appreciate the service we provide. I take great pleasure in working with the Wheels team and with the riders. This is a fun a rewarding experience.
Don Hill
About Don: I applied for the job at South Lane Wheels and was hired to drive the Route bus. I like my job very much; helping people to get to their destinations. They turned out to be some of my best friends.
Rod Vigil
About Rod: After 15 years of social service work in Eugene and Springfield, I found myself with the opportunity to work at South Lane Wheels. This opportunity was a perfect fit for me because I was able to continue to serve but in my own community.
My job is very rewarding because I get to meet many new people and make a difference in their day. South Lane Wheels provides a service that is so valuable and to be a part of that is very important to me.
Cliff Kehler
About Cliff: As part of the South Lane Wheels team, Cliff sees to day to day vehicle and building maintenance as well as working as a driver. He is a retired Federal garage co-manager, fleet inspector, equipment mechanic, aircraft repairman, private speed-shop owner. As a transplant from Pennyslvania and California, he joined SLW in 2008 because he enjoys helping people.
Joellen Barraclough
About Joellen:
Volunteers
Curtis Miller
Herb Crump
Downey Rosemark
Judd Van Gorder
Stephen Pettit
Dennis Twite
Board Members and Advisors
Board President
Brian Ouellette
From Oletsgo Automotive.
About Brian:
Vice President: Sharon Van Gorder
From Carousel House Bed & Breakfast.
About Sharon:
Treasurer: Sue Ordonez
From Siuslaw Bank, Creswell.
About Sue: I am the Branch Manager of Siuslaw Bank in Creswell. I have been employed by Siuslaw Bank for 17 years and have enjoyed every minute of my tenure. Siuslaw Bank is a “community bank” in every sense of the word based on a commitment to philanthropy and community involvement.
I have been a Board Member of South Lane Wheels since October, 2009. I have a strong passion for the community in which I live and work; Creswell, Oregon. I joined the Board to help South Lane Wheels develop and improve services within the Creswell community.
Secretary: Russ Owens
From Prudential Real Estate.
About Russ: When I moved to Cottage Grove in 1983 I worked for B&B equipment on Main Street, which was a saw shop at the time. I was struck with the sincerity and the work ethic of the people I met there and I have retained those qualities to this day. Since that time I developed a successful business in Cottage Grove which included service work for South Lane Wheels. Over the years I watched the evolution of South Lane Wheels from a couple of special purpose vans to the modern fleet with the wider focus of purpose that it is today.
I am proud to have the privilege of serving on the South Lane Wheels board, working along with some of the best minds in Cottage Grove, addressing the challenges of keeping this great organization progressing forward to meeting the transportation needs of South Lane County.
Other Members:
Joe Raade
From South Lane Fire District.
About Joe:
Suzanne Huebner-Sannes
From Senior and Disabled Services.
About Suzanne:
James Burke
From Burke Properties LLC
About James:
Teresa Taylor (board advisor)
From Magnolia Gardens
About Teresa: Teresa joined the South Lane Wheels Board of Directors in spring of 2008. As Administrator of Magnolia Gardens Assisted Living Facility, Teresa understands the vital role transportation plays in helping elders maintain independence.
When not serving elders or working for South Lane Wheels, Teresa can often be found hiking in the Oregon Cascades.
A Note from Teresa:
I’m Teresa Taylor. As Administrator of Magnolia Gardens Assisted Living, I have daily experience with the importance of South Lane Wheels. We have 70 Cottage Grove elders living at Magnolia Gardens and Magnolia Village Memory Care. We use the bus for really fun weekly outings, like to the coast or out to lunch or to the lake! We also use it to help our residents get to and from important appointments, like doctors and dentists. Several of our residents use the Route Around Town system for trips to the store or the Senior Center. This Route Around Town allows them to head to town even for spontaneous trips – no planning ahead! If this community didn’t have South Lane Wheels, we would need to get a bus of our own at Magnolia Gardens. We would probably only have a driver for the bus two days a week, so the residents would be far more restricted in their traveling around the area. We at Magnolia Gardens and Magnolia Village are grateful supporters of South Lane Wheels!
Aaron Shumway (board advisor)
From Edward and Jones