Applegate Valley Community Newsmagazine

	Board of Directors
	Diana Coogle   —  Chair After growing up in Georgia and studying at Cambridge University as a Marshall Scholar, Diana moved to an Applegate mountainside, taught part-time at Rogue Community College, and wrote commentaries for Jefferson Public Radio (JPR). Diana has published three books of selected JPR commentaries: Fire from the Dragon's Tongue (an Oregon Book Award finalist), Living with All My Senses: 25 Years of Life on the Mountain, and An Explosion of Stars. She has also published Favorite Hikes of the Applegate: A Trail Guide with Stories and Histories with Janeen Sathre. She holds a PhD in English from the University of Oregon. Board member since 2013
	William C. Whitney   —  Vice Chair William C. Whitney (Whit) graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a BFA in painting and a minor in photography/motion picture. In 1978 he moved to New York City to launch a career as a fine artist and found work at Rapp, a large ad agency, as an art director. After 25 years at Rapp, he was promoted and relocated to Los Angeles as their executive creative director. After four years in L.A., Whit retired from advertising. In 2016, he and his wife, Cheryl, moved from their home in the central coast of California to the Applegate Valley. Whit joined Rogue Credit Union as creative director/manager, serving for three years, and retiring for the final time in 2019. The Whitneys volunteer at Mercy’s Gate, a local nonprofit, and have served on a number of boards, including Symphony of the Vines, a California symphony orchestra. Board member since 2024
	Annika Hodges   —  Editor in Chief Annika Hodges moved to the Rogue Valley from Portland, after graduating from Eastern Oregon University with a cum laude degree in English and writing. As the previous editor in chief of, social media manager of, and reporter for Eastern Oregon University’s student newspaper, The Voice, Annika comes well-qualified for her job here. With that experience, she already knows how to oversee production of a paper and how to manage a team of writers, copy editors, and others who serve to put a newsmagazine such as the Applegater together. She has been meeting people and learning about our community. She has connected with A Greater Applegate, learned about and contacted businesses and nonprofits in the area, and gone to open-air markets, libraries, and other organizations and activities in the Applegate Valley. Board member since 2024
	Jennifer Theone   —  Treasurer Raised in Austin, Texas, and compelled to see more of the world, Jenn traveled throughout Central and South America for two years. She then moved to Portland, where she dedicated five years to working in social services for the homeless and foster youth. In 2021, she joined the Rogue Farm Corps and moved to the Applegate Valley, collaborating with Cacia Huff at Feral Farm. The move came in the wake of the pandemic and, ever since, she has embraced a slower, more fulfilling pace of life. Jenn is currently pursuing an MBA at Southern Oregon University, hoping to uplift small businesses throughout the valley after completing the program. Board member since 2024
	Laura Duey   —  Secretary Laura was born in southern California, where she worked in the computer industry and raised her family. She and her husband, Al, moved to Vermont in 1998, where they did community organizing for rural broadband projects and served on several nonprofit boards. They moved to Oregon in 2016 to be closer to family and have happily settled in Ruch. Board member since 2023
	Rachel Arappagis Rachel Arappagis, who grew up in Medford and has lived in Williams for the past three years, is our new advertising and social media manager. Rachel works full-time at Rogue Credit Union (RCU), in marketing and communications, and is willing to devote time to the Applegater as well, not only because RCU encourages its employees to volunteer in their communities, but because now that she and her partner, Jared, have finished building their house in Williams, she is ready to devote some time to helping her community. Board member since 2024
	Ash Martell Ash Martell has lived in the Rogue Valley for 14 years and has chosen to raise her young son in Williams. Her grown son, a former Wildland Firefighter, and his fiancée reside in Idaho, where Ash was born and raised. Ash has a bachelor’s degree in theater, PSS certification, and decades of experience working with performance groups and non-profits and in the hospitality and public relation industries. She volunteers for the Williams Rural Fire Protection District as a firefighter-in-training and is Williams Fire and Rescue's Community Relations Coordinator, president of the WRFPD Support Team, and a member of the Williams Firefighter Association and the American Legion Auxiliary. She is also active in the development of a local Resilience Hub (coordinated major emergency response) for the Williams and surrounding communities. Board member since 2025
	Heather Paladini You might already be familiar with Heather Paladini’s name, as she is our new bird columnist. Heather lives in Williams. She started and continues to run the Wild Oak Preschool in Williams. When she was looking for property in the area, she says, she picked up an Applegater and fell in love with it and, by extension, with the Applegate. She brings to the board her experience with grant writing, secretarial positions, and fundraising. Her passions are nature, the environment, and bringing people together. Board member since 2025
	Chris Loeffler Chris Loeffler, who is from Williams, comes to the board with a wealth of business, writing, publishing, and outreach experience, both from his previous job with Musician’s Friend in Medford and in his work with Cub Scouts and food drives for the homeless. His strength in project management makes him an asset in many areas of board duties. Board member since 2025