Board of Directors Bios
Chris Traver - President
Chris has had a career in professional development/meeting management for the past 25 years, working with physicians, pharmaceutical scientists and K-12 educators. She is currently the Director of the Center for Medical Education and Research at Sacred Heart Medical Center, a regional medical education campus for 3rd and 4th year medical students from Oregon Health & Sciences University School of Medicine. She has worked, intermittently, for Sacred Heart for 19 years. Chris began working with HIV Alliance as a volunteer in 2006. She joined the Board and became Chair of the Development Committee in January, 2008. Chris has lived in Springfield with her husband, Howard for 30 years. Howard also works at Sacred Heart as the Director of Food and Environmental Services at Sacred Heart. They have one 27-year old daughter who is currently living in Portland.
Sandi Orbell - Vice President
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Jay Williamson- Secretary
Jay has served on the HIV Alliance Board of Directors since September 2010. After viewing several social commentary motion pictures and taking a gay-lesbian history class at Oregon State University, Jay became interested in local grassroots HIV awareness agencies. Since June 2010, Jay has been employed with West Coast Bank in Eugene, a company that fosters community involvement. He and his partner, Robert, have been together since 1999 and they reside just outside of Eugene.
David Cole - Treasurer
David has served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Lane Individual Practice Association (LIPA) since 1997. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Oregon. In 1994, David received his Certified Public Account license and became a member of the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants. David brings over 14 years experience in the health care field to LIPA. In his capacity as CFO he has been involved with company development, monitoring and preparing financial reports, as well as negotiating the terms of health care contracts.
Chris Bennett
Chris is Africa Regional Director of the Oregon University System’s IE3 Global Internships program. He is responsible for developing, coordinating and supporting internships in Africa for students from universities throughout the Pacific Northwest. Chris worked previously in the field of international development, most recently at Pact, an international NGO based in Washington, DC, where he worked alongside small African non-profit public health and development organizations, helping to build their organizational capacity. Chris holds a Master’s degree in International Development from American University's School of International Service in Washington, DC. He enjoys international travel, hiking, camping and biking, and is a novice gardener.
Jo Ann English
Jo Ann has worked in healthcare for 40 years beginning as a clinical chemist and then moving to the business side with VHA, the nation’s largest alliance of not-for-profit healthcare organizations, for 15 years in business development, healthcare information technology, and member satisfaction. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Emory and Henry College and a B.S. in medical technology from Medical College of Virginia and has completed graduate studies for a M.S. in computer science from University of North Texas. She has served as director of development for AIDS Services of North Texas following a term as board member and 10 years leading an AIDS care team. Her passion for HIV services is rooted in many years of knowing, caring and working with people who are HIV positive and seeing how these services make a difference in the quality of their lives. Since retiring and moving to Springfield, she and her husband, Blake, are enjoying their grandchildren and exploring the wonders of the Pacific Northwest.
Joelle Goodwin
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Jon Jaramillo
Jon has been an Oregonian since 1985. Originally from California, Jon always knew that he would eventually live in Oregon one day. Today he calls Eugene his home. Jon is a recent addition to the board of HIV Alliance, but prior to this membership, Jon has actively served for the past 7 years as a volunteer in the Speakers in the Schools HIV/AIDS Education program. Jon is HIV positive and has been so for over 30 years. Even though he was diagnosed with AIDS in 1992, his health has rebounded from a near death experience in 1996 and today has a stable T-cell count and an undetectable viral load. Jon is extremely grateful that he no longer lives to die, but now lives to serve. Gratitude is the foundation of his desire to serve on the board and he feels it is an honor to be part of “such a great team of people.” Jon brings his talents in media, music, culinary arts, years of business management and accounting experience, public speaking experience, his bilingual multicultural perspective, and his enthusiasm and tenacity to the HIV Alliance organization. He will be serving on the Education and Development, the Faith Based, and the Gay Men’s and Bisexual Events committees.
Marc Mullins
Marc got involved with HIV Alliance days after he moved to Eugene from Montana back in 2000. He signed up to take part in the Riverwalk that year and he's been hooked ever since. He has previously served on the Board of Advisors. Marc's career took him away to Atlanta for three years, but upon his return to Eugene he quickly became involved with the agency again, serving on the Board of Directors. Marc frequently emcees HIV Alliance fundraisers, including the signature annual Damsels, Divas and Dames show at the Hult Center and the agency’s annual Red Ribbon Breakfast. Marc is a native New Englander, born in New Haven, Connecticut. He has a strong commitment to the agency and getting the word out about its goals and services. Marc is a journalist for the local NBC affiliate, KMTR TV.
Bob Skinner
Bob is originally from Fort Lauder dale Fla. After being diagnosed with AIDS in June of 2000 he had the opportunity to move to Oregon.Since then Bob has dedicated his time to working in the HIV/AIDS field. Bob Started his journey, as a volunteer for Valley AIDS Information Network Inc. ( VAIN ) which he has been President and Chief Executive Officer since 2007. Bob also has been a member of Oregon's State Planning Group ( SPG ) and was the Community Co-Chair of SPG until 2010. Bob is also part of the Public Policy Committee through Cascade AIDS Project and a member of Oregon's Care Coalition. Bob's passion is speaking and education and was very fortunate to be part of HIV Alliance SIS training in 2002.and continues to reach and provide presentations to over 1,500 individuals every year .In August of every year you will find Bob at Strength for the Journey, which is a Camp and Retreat for people living with HIV/AIDS held at Shuttle Lake in the Cascade Mountains.
Craig Willis
Craig received his MFA in Directing and PhD in Theatre Arts from the University of Oregon. He has been the Artistic Director for Lord Leebrick Theatre Company since 2003. His prior work includes time spent as a teacher, director, actor, and administrator with theatre and dance companies on the West Coast and in Ohio. Craig has taught theatre history, directing, and dramatic literature at the college level, and is a guest teaching artist for Springfield School District’s Academy of Arts and Academics (A3). He enjoys travel, time spent with friends, and a busy home life with his partner Chad and their two cats.