Ron Singler, President

Elementary Education, 1962
Retired Principal and Administrator, Roseburg School District
Ron Singler lives in Roseburg with his wife Martha. He obtained his BS in Elementary Education in 1962, and a Master of Science in 1970 from SOU. Additionally, he received an Administration Certificate from the Unoversity of Oregon in 1975. Ron was an elementary teacher and coach in Medford for eight years. He also directed the summer tennis program for the City of Medford for eight summers. He served as Principal at Riddle Elementary from 1968-1970 and as Administrator in the Roseburg area until 1993, when he retired. Ron has been involved in community service since that time.

Rebecca Geear, Vice President

Communication, 2000
Electronic Production Manager & Senior Video Editor, Lithia Motors, Inc.
The Alumni Board is very fortunate to have Rebecca as the vice president. Her commitment and dedication to her alma mater is inspiring. As a student Rebecca was heavily involved in a variety of organizations - at Rogue Valley Community Television she served as the Student Manager, Director, and crew member. She was recognized as the Student of the year in 1999 and 2000 and also received the Outstanding Contribution to Studio Work award. She also served as assistant manager and program director for KSOC Radio Free Ashland. She held nearly every office for the SOU Film & Video Club as well as working as a producer for numerous community video projects - from the Ashland Police Department to the RVTV 10th Anniversary special. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Omnicron Delta Kappa, worked as a Colloquium Program Tutor, and consistently placed on the Dean's and President's List. An accomplished public speaker - Rebecca is happy to be in the limelight and works tirelessly to promote the Alumni Association in the Rogue Valley and beyond. Her current board assignments include chapter/regional development, the scholarship committee, events, networking, and admissions outreach.

Connie A Koch Crawford, Treasurer

History, 2002
Personal Banker, Sterling Savings Bank
Connie and her husband, Kyle live in Medford. Connie and Kyle enjoy a variety of outdoor activities - hicking, skiing, snow shoeing, volleyball, and tennis. She is also an avid gardener. When not serving her alma mater as the treasurer of the Alumni Board, Connie is volunteering with Living Opportunities and the Schneider Museum of Art. Connie is very active with Alumni Career Networking, Admissions volunteer opportunities, and organizing alumni events.

Emile Amarotico, Member

Business Administration, 1990
CPA Inactive, FMP
Emile Amarotico is past President and General Manager of Standing Stone Brewing Co., a 200-seat, full-service restaurant and microbrewery in Ashland, Oregon.

Prior to co-founding Standing Stone Brewing Co. in 1996, Amarotico worked as a business systems and operational consultant with Arthur Anderson & Co. He has also taught Accounting and Food and Beverage Management as an adjunct instructor at Southern Oregon University.

Amarotico has over thirty years of food service and restaurant experience including stints as a Merchant Marine, as cook aboard the 144-foot barkentine Regina Maris, and as Executive Chef opening Boz Scaggs’ Blue Light Cafe in San Francisco.

Amarotico is a Summa cum Laude graduate of Southern Oregon University with a bachelor’s of science in Accounting and Computer Information Systems, and is an honors graduate of the Culinary Institute of American in Hyde Park, New York. He is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and a certified Food Management Professional.

Amarotico is active with the Ashland Rotary Club, sits on the Board of Trustees of the Ashland Family YMCA, is a member of the Southern Oregon University Alumni Association Board, is past Treasurer of the Oregon Restaurant Education Foundation, and past Treasurer of the University Toastmasters Club. Amarotico and his wife, fellow Culinary Institute of America graduate Karen Amarotico, have two children, Alexandra age nineteen, and Francesco, age fourteen. His many interests include motorcycle touring, skiing, backpacking and dining with family and friends.

M. Candice Chapman, Member

Theatre, 1975
Teaching Assistant, Ashland Middle School

Marv Hackwell, Member

Business, 1973
Sr. VP of Operations, KOGAP

T. Lund, Member

Education/Conducting, 1992
Retired Music Teacher and Orchestra Conductor
T lives in Cave Junction with his wife Sandi. To say that he is retired is a bit of a misnomer since T seems to have more jobs than most people who are employed full time! While it is true that he has retired from teaching music he does still conduct the Rogue Valley Community College Orchestra - when he isn't fixing boats and motorcycles or volunteering with the Alumni Boars. T has three daughters: Shari Kaye, Carie Lyn, Teri Jo, ten grandchildren Tabitha, Joshua, John, Adam, Zackary, Dakota, Ryan, Danny, Steven, Nakia and two great-grandchildren Kaydance and Hailee. During his student days at SOU T was a member, then assistant director and finally the director of the Orientation team. He was also a member of the SOSC Band, Jass Band, Brass Quartet, Jazz Choir, Chamber Choir, and Concert Choir. He also served as the Stage Manager in Residence for the SOSC Music Department, the Rogue Valley Opera and the Rogue Valley Symphony Orchestra. He also found time to be a member of the Ashland City Band - all while maintaining a stella GPA that landed him consistently on the President's List and earned him Music Performance Scholarships. He also managed to gain an entry into Who's Who of American Colleges and Universities and kept Professor McKee's truck from breaking down. After earning his degree T went onto distinguish himself as one of the first national recipient's of the Mr. Holland's Opus Awards and as an SOU Distinguished Alumnus.

Carol Moody, Member

Education, 1969
Retired Teacher, Ashland School District
Carol lives in Medford with her husband, Blair. They are both very active with SOU - Blair is a member of the SOU Foundation Board and Carol is serving her alma mater as a member of the Alumni Association Board. She assists with the planning and execution of the Alumni Education Mentor Program (AEMP) and is a member of the Alumni Association Scholarship Committee. After spending 40 years in the classroom she is enjoying having the time to go hiking, skiing, reading, playing bridge and traveling. An avid runner she has competed in two Portland Marathons! Carol also enjoys spending time with her grandchildren - Hank and Juliet. It should be noted that Carol and Blair have two daughters - Cathy (SOU '88) and Christy. Son-in-law Scott is also an Alum - Class of '02.

Tamara Nordin, Member

Social Science, 1988
VP Human Resources, Rogue Valley Manor
Tamara is Vice President of Human Resources for both Pacific Retirement Services and Rogue Valley Manor, positions she has held for seventeen years. She holds an MBA degree from Southern Oregon College, and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources from the Certification Institute of the Society of Human Resource Management. She is an adjunct instructor for Northwest Christian College and Southern Oregon University where she teaches Human Resource Management and Organizational Development courses.

Adrian Rodriguez, Member

Spanish, 1992
Chair of the Counseling Dept., Portland Community College
Adrian lives in Portland with his family. In his spare time he enjoys cycling, travel, and music. He is currently completing work on his Ph.D. but still devotes a great deal of time to SOU through his work on the Alumni Board. While a student at SOU Adrian was involved with Spanish Club, the Latino Student Union, and the Ho'o Pa'a Hawaii Club and assisted with Lectures and Performing Arts. His area of focus on the board is Regional Development.