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Meet the Board

The Travel Southern Oregon Board of Directors is a dedicated group of industry partners from lodging properties, attractions, regional DMOs and talented at-large professionals who guide the organization and support its strategic direction.

T.J. Holmes

President, Travel Medford

T.J. lived in the Applegate Valley as a child and returned to Southern Oregon in 2021 after spending most of his life in California.

He started working in destination marketing in 2017 for the DMO in Redding, CA before taking over as Senior Vice President of Travel Medford. Before moving to the region, T.J. earned a Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Chico State University and was a national award-winning journalist, both for a daily newspaper and for an online news outlet he co-owned and operated with his wife and friend. T.J. values the role tourism plays in a thriving economy and is driven by the aphorism “a rising tide lifts all boats,” believing effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork leads to a prosperous community. T.J. enjoys playing and watching sports and exploring the abundance of outdoor offerings in Southern Oregon with his wife and family.

Allen Pike

Past-President, Mereté Hotel Management Group

Allen is General Manager of the Hampton Inn & Suites Roseburg, Oregon.

He graduated from Crater High School in Central Point and the University of Oregon in Eugene.  Allen started working with Mereté Hotel Management in 2002, working at Marriott properties in Springfield, Hillsboro, and Medford.  After leaving for a short time and moving to Colorado, he came back to the company in 2013 and has been in Roseburg ever since, opening the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton in 2018.

In addition to serving on the board for Travel Southern Oregon, Allen also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce.  He sees the role of tourism in Southern Oregon as a vital to the future of the region and is committed to doing anything he can to help ensure as many people as possible come and experience this amazing place he calls home.

Katharine Cato

Treasurer, Travel Ashland

Katharine grew up in New Hampshire with a love for the outdoors. After earning her Bachelor’s degree at the University of NH, she moved to Oregon to ski the Pacific Northwest.

Her professional path has included sales, marketing, consulting and media relations with over 20 years in the tourism industry.  She has been with the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, serving as the Director of Travel Ashland, the tourism branch of the organization, for 18 years. With tourism being a key economic driver to Ashland’s economy, she has a true passion for promoting the spectrum of year-round offerings in Ashland and Southern Oregon. She currently serves as past-President of Oregon Destination Association, past-President of Travel Southern Oregon and serves as a board member for Mt. Ashland and  Rogue Valley Vintners. She lives in Ashland with her husband, Ray and their daughter, Grace.



Megan Pugh

Secretary, Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce

Originally hailing from a small town in Idaho, Megan Pugh found a new sense of community and home upon settling in Southern Oregon in the fall of 2018. She swiftly immersed herself in the local community when she joined the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce in February 2019, serving as their Executive Director since 2022.

Originally hailing from a small town in Idaho, Megan Pugh found a new sense of community and home upon settling in Southern Oregon in the fall of 2018. She swiftly immersed herself in the local community when she joined the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce in February 2019, serving as their Executive Director since 2022.

With a professional background deeply rooted in hospitality and the service industry, Megan brings experience and an understanding of fostering growth in small businesses and rural communities. Her passion, enthusiasm, and boundless energy serve as catalysts for supporting local enterprises, advocating for sustainable tourism, and empowering the region’s economic vitality.

Beyond her boardroom endeavors, Megan finds enjoyment and relaxation in the great outdoors, often hiking scenic trails, skiing snow-capped slopes, or embracing the thrill of dirt bike and camping adventures. However, her truest joy comes from spending quality time with loved ones, cherishing the moments that resonate long after the adventures end.

Megan’s dedication to the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce and commitment to the Southern Oregon community reflect her unwavering belief in fostering connections, driving growth, and creating lasting positive impacts.

Shelley Batty

Lake County Chamber of Commerce

Shelley, a true native Oregonian, has the unique distinction of having lived in every tourism region in the state. She is the Chamber Director for the Lake County Chamber of
Commerce.

Shelley, a true native Oregonian, has the unique distinction of having lived in every
tourism region in the state. She is the Chamber Director for the Lake County Chamber of
Commerce. Alongside her husband, she co-owns Tall Town Bike & Camp, a haven for
cyclists, skiers, hikers, and backpackers exploring the scenic beauty of the region.
In her leisure time, Shelley is an avid cyclist, a former marathon walker, and the
president of the Lake County Library District board. She serves on several organization
boards including the Historic Society and Oregon CUB,

Terry Bentley

Bell Sister Flats

Terry Bentley, co-owner of Bell Sister Flats, luxurious historic lodging in the heart of downtown Roseburg, Oregon.

Terry and her husband Paul grew up in Roseburg, Oregon and both have a passion to revive downtown Roseburg like it was in their childhood.  They opened Bell Sister Flats in August of 2018 on the second floor of their historic 1909 building, which hadn’t been occupied since the 1950’s. Both Terry and Paul love to travel in the U.S. and abroad.   Terry was born in a small town in Happy Camp, California and is an enrolled tribal member of the Karuk Tribe of California.  Her family moved to Roseburg, Oregon when she was a little girl.  She moved out of Roseburg in 1991 and lived in Portland, Oregon for 10 years and eventually moved back to Roseburg to raise her family.  She graduated from Douglas High School and has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration from Eastern Oregon University.  Terry is married and has grown children.  She loves to travel, hike, bike, camp, read and spend time with family.

Jessica Cannon

Sutherlin Area Chamber of Commerce

Jessica Cannon (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Sutherlin Area Chamber of Commerce. With previous experience as the Executive Director of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, and holding various regional and local tourism contracts.

In 2022, Jessica was recognized as Travel Oregon’s Southern Oregon Rising Star for her collaborative efforts and catalytic impact for her service as Executive Director of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce. Jessica currently lives in Southern Oregon with husband Noah and his two children Sophia and Blake. They enjoy traveling around Oregon to explore its overwhelming beauty and diverse experiences. “Tourism is in my blood – it’s a passion I cannot shake. Having the opportunity to be the boots on the ground alongside local partners to transform and actualize the unified community vision is the most rewarding work.”

Nathan Dwyer

Roguetrotter

Tour guide, wine steward, storyteller and world traveler, Nathan is owner/operator of Roguetrotter(formerly Main Street Tours), a custom tour outfit showcasing the majestic landscapes of Crater Lake, Redwood National Park, and the Oregon Coast. He has cycle toured across Europe and Scandinavia, East Asia and Canada.

Tour guide, wine steward, storyteller and world traveler, Nathan is owner/operator of Roguetrotter(formerly Main Street Tours), a custom tour outfit showcasing the majestic landscapes of Crater Lake, Redwood National Park, and the Oregon Coast. He has cycle toured across Europe and Scandinavia, East Asia and Canada. He has lived in Ashland on and off for a total of twelve years. After a nine year stint in SanFrancisco as a wine steward and guide he happily relocated with his rapidly growing family back to the Rogue Valley.

Professional photo of Steph Hendrickson

Steph Hendrickson

Central Point Chamber

Steph Hendrickson has served as the Executive Director of the Central Point Chamber since 2018.

Bringing her passion for community, business, and local tourism to the forefront. As a native Southern Oregonian, Steph is deeply rooted in the local culture, embodying the spirit of a true local girl. In addition to her involvement with Travel Southern Oregon, she is an active member of multiple service clubs and serves as a Commissioner for Central Point Parks and Recreation and as a Board Member for the Crater Foundation.

Steph is a fervent advocate for supporting local businesses and boosting tourism within the region. Her leadership at the Central Point Chamber reflects her enthusiasm for creating a thriving and interconnected community. With a keen interest in maintaining the charm of her hometown, Steph actively engages in initiatives that contribute to the sustainable development of the area and creates opportunities to connect local businesses with visitors and residents.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Steph finds joy in outdoor activities. Trail running, hiking, biking, camping, and exploration are among her favorite pastimes, reflecting her love for the natural beauty of the Rogue Valley and beyond. She lives in Central Point with her husband, Chadd, and their 2 children Chloe and Jaxx

Erik R.Johnson

Weasku Inn

Born and raised in Carpinteria, California, Erik moved to Oregon in the mid-1990s. Erik moved to Grants Pass in 2000 and joined the staff of Weasku Inn, then a part of Vintage Hotels, as a houseperson.  Over the years, Erik moved through various operations positions at other Vintage Hotels, later Country House Inns hotels, throughout Southern Oregon.  

Born and raised in Carpinteria, California, Erik moved to Oregon in the mid-1990s. Erik moved to Grants Pass in 2000 and joined the staff of Weasku Inn, then a part of Vintage Hotels, as a houseperson.  Over the years, Erik moved through various operations positions at other Vintage Hotels, later Country House Inns hotels, throughout Southern Oregon.  

Erik assisted with the original opening of The Lodge of Riverside and the takeovers of Best Western Inn at the Rogue and Riverfront Inn Roseburg.  Erik also handled the takeover of the Wine Country Inn in Jacksonville.  In 2016, along with other partners, Erik purchased Wildlife Inn in Winston.  In 2018, the opportunity to purchase Weasku Inn came up and Erik took it, returning to his roots.

In 2023, Erik and his partner Kim, took their first steps into the food industry and purchased Buttercloud Bakery and Café in downtown Medford.

Erik also spent two terms on the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is a leader in local Grants Pass area Scouting.

In his spare time, he enjoys travelling and exploring new breweries, restaurants and wineries. He loves baseball and has been a Seattle Mariners season ticket holder since 2016.  Kim, Erik and their two kids make several trips each year to Seattle to take in Mariners games.  They reside just outside Grants Pass.

Pavlina McGrady

Southern Oregon University

Dr. Pavlina McGrady is an associate professor of tourism and sustainability at the School of Business at Southern Oregon University, coordinating the Sustainable Tourism Management degree.

Pavlina is originally from Sofia, Bulgaria, but has been living in the United States since 2004. Pavlina earned her bachelor’s degree in Tourism from University of National and World Economy in Sofia, followed by a Master’s degree in Travel Industry Management from University of Hawaii at Manoa. After working in various management roles in the hotel industry for several years, she decided to shift her career and took the path toward academia and research by earning a Ph.D. in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources with a focus on corporate sustainability and sustainable tourism from Colorado State University.

Pavlina has been living in Ashland, OR, and teaching at Southern Oregon University since 2016. She enjoys all outdoor activities, spending time with her family and friends, and traveling.

Suzanne Riley

Experience Roseburg

Suzanne Riley is the Visitor Center & Destination Coordinator for Experience Roseburg. Her family has lived in the area since the early 1970’s, and she relocated to Roseburg in 2021 from Southern California, where she was born and raised. Her love of the outdoors, and desire to be closer to family, made moving to Roseburg an easy decision.

Suzanne Riley is the Visitor Center & Destination Coordinator for Experience Roseburg. Her family has lived in the area since the early 1970’s, and she relocated to Roseburg in 2021 from Southern California, where she was born and raised. Her love of the outdoors, and desire to be closer to family, made moving to Roseburg an easy decision. With the strong sense of community, and natural beauty that Roseburg offers, Suzanne feels that she has finally arrived home.

Suzanne has worked in a vast array of industries in various roles that have certainly prepared her for her current position. From sales to customer service, office management, HR, and accounting, she has gained firsthand experience in dealing with all types of people and personalities. This knowledge has been an invaluable asset in getting partners engaged and excited about local tourism.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, and all river related activities, as well as spending time with her pets and family. Movies, music, and art are just a few of her true passions in life.

Dark haired woman wearing a jean jacket, smiling standing outdoors in a field in front of pine trees.

Jenifer Roe

Crater Lake Ziplines

Jenifer Roe grew up in Klamath Falls, Oregon, where she gained early business experience working on her family’s Christmas tree farm and helping with other small ventures. She went on to earn a degree in International Relations from UC Davis, later moving to London, England, to work in event planning and marketing for a publishing company. In 1996, Jenifer returned to the Klamath Basin to pursue a career in tourism marketing.

Today, Jenifer owns and operates Crater Lake Zipline, offering outdoor adventures such as ziplining, kayaking, hiking, axe throwing, and mountain lake fishing tours. Passionate about her community, she’s delighted to work alongside her husband and two adult children, bringing family-friendly outdoor recreation to locals and visitors alike. With close to 30 years in tourism, Jenifer is deeply committed to showcasing Oregon’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, supporting local economies, and enhancing livability in her community.

Jenifer serves on the Travel Southern Oregon Board, is a member of the Resource Advisory Committee for the Fremont-Winema National Forest, and represents the industry as a commissioner on the Oregon Tourism Commission.

Ellsworth Lang

Kla-Mo-Ya Casino & Sleep Inn

Marissa Ruf

Merete Hotels

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