Meet The Team

Staff

John Lugton
He/Him/His
Director of Production Services

John Lugton

john@metroeast.org

Born and raised by the North Sea in Scotland, the NW is like a home away from home. Growing up I was captivated by the French black and white Adventures of Robinson Crusoe TV show, that seemed to play every summer holiday!! The opening music, the composition, the pacing, the look and feel were all vital in making the story so real. I love helping organizations bring their ideas to life through the video production process. And I make sure that our award-winning production staff helps you make a difference. I believe that everyone has a story to tell and that there is a story behind everything!! But in the spirit of the true storytellers when out with friends I frequently remind myself "Why ruin a good story by sticking to the facts?" Other hobbies and passions both great and small: Football, creating, gardening, solving, cooking, dancing and singing and just plain looking at things from the perspective of beauty.

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Seth Ring
He/Him/His
Director of Education & Volunteers

Seth Ring

seth@metroeast.org

I am a local Oregonian with a passion for nature and civic engagement. After much merriment in the biological sciences/getting my Biology BA at Lewis & Clark, I got my Master's in Science and Natural History Filmmaking at Montana State University. I work with volunteers and educators to give underrepresented groups a voice and keep media in the hands of regular ol' citizens. My wife and I enjoy board games, being ridiculous and long walks on the beach.

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David Elkin-Bram
They/Them
Director of Technology

David Elkin-Bram

david@metroeast.org

As one of the longest-serving members of MetroEast's team, David has seen a great deal of progress, change, and story-telling in the walls of MetroEast. David serves as the Director of Technology and continues to guide the organization towards positive technical fruition. David began volunteering in Community Media productions in 1992 and dove into every class available. "I needed to get my hands on all the gear," David recalls fondly. After many hours of donated time, interning in playback in 1993, and accepting two paid internships in '94 to '95, he was offered an IT role at MetroEast. From there, built the radio station KZME under the tutelage of several luminaries in radio broadcasting. David also had hands in the technical direction for live productions and audio engineering. Most of David's technical background forged within and through MetroEast roles, continues to evolve. A proud coder and scripter, a MacOS and iOS aficionado, and Adobe go-to person. All things technological go through their desk, from networking to data management to AI systems. When David isn't staring at a screen or blinking boxes, they dabble in graphics, compositing, animation, and music-making some "noises." Culture jamming is also a deeply held passion, de-constructing media and examining it with a critical lens. As part of a family, David enjoys watching their kid grow up and figure out the world with their partner Andrea - and you may find them enjoying brewed cacao or a snifter of some high-end Añejo tequila, too.

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Emily Vidal
She/Her/Hers
Producer

Emily Vidal

emily@metroeast.org

Emily is a filmmaker with a passion for international travel and cultural exchange. Emily has been roaming the studios of MetroEast, usually with a camera, microphone, or clipboard in tow, for nigh on 18 years. A native Oregonian through and through, Emily's official appropriated motto is "always be prepared" (the unofficial one being "no matter where you go, there you are.") A favorite toolkit regardless of project and location: Gaff tape; scissors, paper & pen, flashlight, earplugs, and a handkerchief (to sop up the occasional drink spills and of course the blood, sweat, and tears.) Working alongside awesome colleagues and volunteers to help bring media to life for the greater good of the community has been one of the most rewarding and formative experiences of her short life. She hopes to continue to do so until the dystopian future comes to overtake our current reality. Should this come to pass she plans to be there, with an extensive revamp of the above-mentioned toolkit, to cover the apocalypse.

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Loren Coulter
He/Him/His
Training & Programming Coordinator

Loren Coulter

loren@metroeast.org

A lifelong resident of Portland, Loren's first exposure to video started early. A 5th-grade class project with black and white cameras and a reel-to-reel video recorder sparked an interest that still burns 5 decades later. Loren came to MetroEast (then Multnomah Cable Access) as a volunteer in May of 1987 and joined the staff in September of 1988. Over nearly 30 years, he has worn many hats: Equipment Room Tech, Producer, Playback Operator, and has developed and taught thousands of video production classes. When occasionally not at MetroEast, Loren enjoys music as an out-of-practice trumpet player and moderately skilled drummer, as well as running lights and sound for a local band. He also relaxes by drawing, escaping to the beach, and gorging on Mac and Cheese.

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Gene Hall
He/Him/His
DEI & Media Services Manager

Gene Hall

gene@metroeast.org

Gene Hall was born and raised in Portland Oregon and spent his formative years sloshing through the puddle-laden, rain-drenched streets of 1980's St John's in North Portland. As a child, he tapped into creativity as an outlet, because it rained no less than 180 days a year and dreaming was free. Music was an early creative outlet, but visual art went along with that hand in hand. Gene completed his first video certifications at Portland Cable Access (now known as Open Signal) before he started High School. Many attempts at making great video projects followed and ultimately failed. In the 90's he worked with touring bands as a player and later as an audio engineer. In the 2010s music was still on the plate, but he returned to filmmaking by competing in local video filmmaking contests and working as a freelance sound recordist/designer and in color correction. Gene brings his passion for creative arts to his role as Media Services Manager and is always willing to help you solve the next puzzle on your creative plate.

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Ivana Horvat
She/Her/Hers
Digital Media Producer

Ivana Horvat

ivana@metroeast.org

Ivana Horvat entered this world on a cold and snowy day in the former Yugoslavia after her mother walked through the steep, curvy streets of Sarajevo through two feet of snow to get to the hospital. When she is not producing video, she spends her time going to ethnic grocery stores, running around at the dog park, seeing second-run movies in theaters, VJing at local shows and wishing she had the patience to play board games. A fan of French new wave cinema, cabbage rolls, puppets over CG, introspection, ping pong, mumblecore, and meeting new people, she has a zest for life and a serious case of FOMO. She has a background in documentary film and premiered her first feature-length documentary called Finding Bosnia in 2015. She believes creating an emotional connection to new ideas is imperative to creating a better, more empathic society.  

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Jasmin Vazquez-Sierra
She/They
Digital Media Educator

Jasmin Vazquez-Sierra

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Keith Thomas
He/Him/His
Producer

Keith Thomas

keith@metroeast.org

Keith is a northwest native having been born and raised in what is the greatest city in the world-Portland, a city that he absolutely loves. His only time spent away from the City of Roses was in the mid-nineties where he moved to Orlando, Florida to attend Full Sail Center for the Recording Arts and received an AAS in studio recording engineering. Although Keith has become an accomplished and talented video producer his first media love is audio and sound. Just don't get him talking about his car stereo because you won't shut him up! Keith likes to work out and feels physical fitness is one of the most important aspects of life because if you have your health you have everything. Again, don't get him talking about weightlifting. See the point above! In his spare time, he loves the outdoors and enjoys getting out and experiencing nature especially during the warm spring and summer months.

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Sam Omeechevarria
He/Him/His
Facilities Manager

Sam Omeechevarria

sam@metroeast.org

Bio Coming Soon

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AnaMichele Morejon
She/Her/Hers
Education & Engagement Coordinator

AnaMichele Morejon

anamichele@metroeast.org

AnaMichele Morejon came to MetroEast through an Americorps program in 2023 and since transitioned to a staff role. Before moving to Portland, she studied film in the heart of the industry, earning a BA in Film & TV Production from Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. She brings her background as a production assistant, researcher, and media strategist for projects including Merpeople (Netflix) and Los Hermanos/The Brothers (PBS). She is also a filmmaker herself. Her documentary, The Forbidden Call, aired nationwide in 2022 and is now streaming on PBS. AnaMichele is excited to share her love of filmmaking in the Pacific Northwest as an educator.

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Board of Directors

Julie S. Omelchuck
Board President
Community Media Advocate

Julie S. Omelchuck

Julie is an activist at heart. She pursued her passion for community-based media and digital equity through a 37-year professional career in policy and program development. She’s thrilled to continue that journey by serving on the MetroEast Board.

Julie’s interest in community-based media was sparked while attending the University of Montana Journalism School, where she helped sow the seeds of a community media center in Missoula. After graduation in 1984, she moved to Washington, DC,  and worked for the Alliance for Community Media, a national membership and advocacy nonprofit with members throughout the US and Canada. Her passion deepened as she worked with members and saw the opportunities provided by local nonprofit media centers for people and communities who didn’t have a voice in main stream media.

Julie followed her desire to be back “west” and landed a job in Portland where she worked for the next 33 years as a policy and program manager for the Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission. Julie designed and directed several public benefit programs that granted over $5 million annually to nonprofits, schools, libraries, and public agencies for community-based technology projects. She also was instrumental in developing community benefit agreements in cable franchise agreements to support local access to media and internet technologies for traditionally underserved communities.

Julie retired from her job in 2021 but her passion for community media didn’t diminish. She joyfully reconnected to her passion by joining the MetroEast Board in 2022.

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Jessica Vanterpool
Board Member
Founder CEO, FLI Social
Tsering Sherpa
Board Member
Programs Director, The Rosewood Initiative
Lorena Connelly
Board Member
Social Worker & Member Producer
Mareshah Jackson
Board Director

Mareshah Jackson

Mareshah "MJ" Jackson bounced around the U.S. for most of her life, and prior to moving to Portland has counted Southern California, northern Virginia, and Memphis, TN as places she'd call "home." She loves urban green and recreational spaces, and that love helped deepen her connection to MetroEast through its award-nominated "Follow the Water" project. She also loves examining the power of representation and hopes to support increased literacy in a rapidly-changing media landscape. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from UCLA and a Master of Science in Strategic Communications from the University of Oregon. 
 
She loves being physically active, and endurance running is her favorite hobby. If you want to get her talking, just ask her what marathon she wants to do next. She also loves improving on her dance skills--catch her taking Samba no pé or twerk classes at the VMAC dance center in Kerns. When her feet need a break, she quells the anxiety of sitting still with horror movies. She just joined the Hollywood Theatre as a member and is ready to put her Movie Madness rental account to work!
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Sara Ali
Board Director
Data Analyst, Ookla

Sara Ali

Sara Ali is a critical technologist with professional experience in data analysis, strategic communications, and program management. Sara works as a Business Intelligence Analyst at Ookla, the global leader in broadband network testing applications. Sara is passionate about achieving digital equity through access to technology and technical training. First introduced to the organization through collaboration on the Welcome to Computers program, Sara is delighted to support MetroEast Community Media as a board member. Sara enjoys exploring Portland's restaurant scene, loitering at the farmer's market, watching baking shows, and preparing meals for family and friends. Sara lives in Hazelwood, where she and her husband Masood are restoring their mid-century ranch. 

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Jeff Dennerline 
Non-Voting Board Director
CEO, Bridgetown Technical Services
Rebecca Cassady
Board Member
Lawyer (Plaintiff-side civil litigation)

Rebecca Cassady

Rebecca "Becca" Cassady is a plaintiff-side civil litigator who specializes in cases involving negligence by institutions, professionals, and fiduciaries. Becca grew up in Portland, and graduated from Portland State University and later, Lewis & Clark Law School. She has long enjoyed using her skills to serve the community around her. Having externed at the Small Business Legal Clinic providing legal advice to low-income business owners, and having worked on various pro-bono projects over the years, Becca loves the 'human' side of lawyering and problem-solving with other compassionate and tenacious advocates of all types. Becca was drawn to MetroEast's mission of supporting civic engagement and media literacy in a world that has become increasingly complex and challenging for those with less power, financial or otherwise. In her spare time, Becca likes to garden and spend time with her cats (Gus Gus and Lavender) and dog (Murphy).

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Lem Nguyen
Board Member
Production & Process Coordinator, LKA Fundraising and Communications

Lem (Thuong) Nguyen

Thuong has a wealth of digital media and marketing expertise in the nonprofit and corporate sectors. Thuong excels in breaking down the data to tell the real story to both internal and external stakeholders. Thuong was born in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and is known for her commitment to progressive and continuous improvement, and the ability to respond and adapt when faced with unpredictable circumstances. When not at work, Thuong tries to “beat the system” at all-you-can-eat buffets, attends Asian pop music shows and conventions, gets too emotionally attached in gacha games, and travels across Asia with a motley crew of internet friends.

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Education Advisory Board

We have formed an Education Advisory Board specifically to help us inform our educational efforts in East County. Our board is composed of people of color, immigrants, refugees, educators, and former workshop participants. This group will also help us make deeper cultural connections with our beneficiaries by helping with our cultural outreach efforts at festivals and events.

Members

Gwendolyn Adams

Rodney Adams Jr.

Rodney Adams Sr.

Maria Felix Altamirano Gomez

Dajour McKinley

Annette Marion

Barys Zhiznevsky

Isabel Abnel

Benjamin Lostheart

Education Advisory Board