Board of Directors
Below are our community volunteers that work year-round to make the festival great each year for the community of Lebanon. Please visit their businesses, and thank them if you see them around town.
Would you like to join the planning board? Fill out the below application and email it to: info@lebanonstrawberryfest.com or mail it to: Lebanon Strawberry Festival, PO BOX 273, Lebanon OR 97355.
Executive Board
Cindy Kerby
Operations Board Chairperson
Festival Director
Association Board Member
Cindy has over 25 years experience in management and has been involved with the leadership of the Lebanon Strawberry Festival since 2015. She has been the Chairperson of the Strawberry Festival Operations Board and Director of the Strawberry Festival since 2020. She is the owner and designer at Gateway Imprints, Inc. a community-minded print shop in downtown Lebanon where she spends the majority of her time designing and finding critical solutions to fulfill marketing needs for local businesses and non-profit organizations. She is actively involved in the community serving on several non-profit boards over the past 20 years including being a Board Director for the Oregon Festival and Events Association, a Board Member for the Lebanon Strawberry Festival Association, a Member for the Parks and Trees Committee for the City of Lebanon, Board Member for the Lebanon 4th of July Celebration, and has been the Co-Chair of Holidays in the Park in Lebanon for 16 years. She was recognized as the Oregon Volunteer of the Year for 2022, and plans to continue with her passion for events in Lebanon, particularly the Strawberry Festival.
Operations Board Chairperson
Festival Director
Association Board Member
Cindy has over 25 years experience in management and has been involved with the leadership of the Lebanon Strawberry Festival since 2015. She has been the Chairperson of the Strawberry Festival Operations Board and Director of the Strawberry Festival since 2020. She is the owner and designer at Gateway Imprints, Inc. a community-minded print shop in downtown Lebanon where she spends the majority of her time designing and finding critical solutions to fulfill marketing needs for local businesses and non-profit organizations. She is actively involved in the community serving on several non-profit boards over the past 20 years including being a Board Director for the Oregon Festival and Events Association, a Board Member for the Lebanon Strawberry Festival Association, a Member for the Parks and Trees Committee for the City of Lebanon, Board Member for the Lebanon 4th of July Celebration, and has been the Co-Chair of Holidays in the Park in Lebanon for 16 years. She was recognized as the Oregon Volunteer of the Year for 2022, and plans to continue with her passion for events in Lebanon, particularly the Strawberry Festival.
Joe Calderon
Operations Board Vice-Chairperson
Association Vice President
Joe has over 35 years of festival experience and an extensive background in management and IT. He has been a member of the board since 2017 and has spent most of his time as a mentor to the leadership sharing his vast experience and knowledge helping the festival grow and develop. Joe is the band recruiter for the festival and works directly with Nashville agents to negotiate contracts. When he is not working on the festival he spends his time with his wife Audrey building his home, and working on his farm in Foster Oregon. Joe spent over 7 years as the Board Chairperson and on the management team for the Linn County Fair, has been a manager and IT director for Lassen Toyota for 26 years, and has been instrumental in the success of several other events around Linn County. Joe also served 8 years on the Oregon Parks and Rec. Advisory Committee.
Operations Board Vice-Chairperson
Association Vice President
Joe has over 35 years of festival experience and an extensive background in management and IT. He has been a member of the board since 2017 and has spent most of his time as a mentor to the leadership sharing his vast experience and knowledge helping the festival grow and develop. Joe is the band recruiter for the festival and works directly with Nashville agents to negotiate contracts. When he is not working on the festival he spends his time with his wife Audrey building his home, and working on his farm in Foster Oregon. Joe spent over 7 years as the Board Chairperson and on the management team for the Linn County Fair, has been a manager and IT director for Lassen Toyota for 26 years, and has been instrumental in the success of several other events around Linn County. Joe also served 8 years on the Oregon Parks and Rec. Advisory Committee.
Jenny Sheldon
Operations Board Treasurer
coming soon
Operations Board Treasurer
coming soon
Dala Johnson
Operations Board Secretary
Security Chairperson
Dala is a lifelong resident of Lebanon who has been volunteering with the Festival since 2016. Dala is actively involved in the community and is the founder of Dala’s Blue Angels, a non-profit for child abuse awareness and prevention. She also serves as the Chair of the Holidays in the Park for 20 years, President of the International Crime Prevention Association, and Past President and current Secretary for the Lebanon Optimist Club.
Operations Board Secretary
Security Chairperson
Dala is a lifelong resident of Lebanon who has been volunteering with the Festival since 2016. Dala is actively involved in the community and is the founder of Dala’s Blue Angels, a non-profit for child abuse awareness and prevention. She also serves as the Chair of the Holidays in the Park for 20 years, President of the International Crime Prevention Association, and Past President and current Secretary for the Lebanon Optimist Club.
Gary Dobrkovsky
Association President
Gary has been a life-long resident of Lebanon and has been involved with Strawberry Festival his entire life. It started out, during his youth, when he would help build floats for the parade or take in the carnival when it was on 2nd street. Later years in his young adult life he would work on the parade and food booth while in the Lebanon Jaycees. Gary then became an active member of the Strawberry Festival Board and served in many capacities including Vendor Chairman, Vice Chairman and Chairman. Gary was instrumental in helping the festival move from Century Park to the Morse Bros. Rock Pit off Berlin Road, and then to its final home at Cheadle Lake Park. Gary became active in the Strawberry Festival Association, which is the umbrella organization that governs the Operations Board that puts on the festival. The role of the Association is to have a vision of the future to direct development of future projects and investments. Gary has also been active with the Lebanon Community Foundation which was created to secure a permanent home for the Lebanon Strawberry Festival. Gary brings to the board a life-time of experience in the steel construction industry. He has been a
Shop Supervisor, Project Manager, and currently is the Senior Estimator for the Industrial side of the
business. With that he brings business experience in management and accounting. Gary semi-retired in
2018 and continues in a part time capacity with SteelFab Oregon
Association President
Gary has been a life-long resident of Lebanon and has been involved with Strawberry Festival his entire life. It started out, during his youth, when he would help build floats for the parade or take in the carnival when it was on 2nd street. Later years in his young adult life he would work on the parade and food booth while in the Lebanon Jaycees. Gary then became an active member of the Strawberry Festival Board and served in many capacities including Vendor Chairman, Vice Chairman and Chairman. Gary was instrumental in helping the festival move from Century Park to the Morse Bros. Rock Pit off Berlin Road, and then to its final home at Cheadle Lake Park. Gary became active in the Strawberry Festival Association, which is the umbrella organization that governs the Operations Board that puts on the festival. The role of the Association is to have a vision of the future to direct development of future projects and investments. Gary has also been active with the Lebanon Community Foundation which was created to secure a permanent home for the Lebanon Strawberry Festival. Gary brings to the board a life-time of experience in the steel construction industry. He has been a
Shop Supervisor, Project Manager, and currently is the Senior Estimator for the Industrial side of the
business. With that he brings business experience in management and accounting. Gary semi-retired in
2018 and continues in a part time capacity with SteelFab Oregon
Operations Board
Andrea Weimer
Senior Court Chairperson
Andrea joined the board in 2006 after being a senior court princess in 2005. Most of her early involvement was with coronation but she also helped gather information to put together the Former Court list and first Former Court parade float for the 100th year celebration in 2009. Andrea has been involved with many committees over the years. She began her role as Senior Court Chairperson in 2011. What she enjoys most about being the senior court chaperone is seeing the development of the amazing young women, and the positive impact that they have on so many community members during their reign. After seeing the impact of the senior court, Andrea wrote the proposal to bring back the Junior Princess Court in 2018, and has assisted the Junior Court Chairperson with developing the program over the last several years.
Senior Court Chairperson
Andrea joined the board in 2006 after being a senior court princess in 2005. Most of her early involvement was with coronation but she also helped gather information to put together the Former Court list and first Former Court parade float for the 100th year celebration in 2009. Andrea has been involved with many committees over the years. She began her role as Senior Court Chairperson in 2011. What she enjoys most about being the senior court chaperone is seeing the development of the amazing young women, and the positive impact that they have on so many community members during their reign. After seeing the impact of the senior court, Andrea wrote the proposal to bring back the Junior Princess Court in 2018, and has assisted the Junior Court Chairperson with developing the program over the last several years.
April James
Vendors Chairperson
coming soon
Vendors Chairperson
coming soon
Ashley McDowell
Strawberry Shortcake Chairperson
Ashley has been a volunteer at the Strawberry Festival for a handful of years or so. She has been a participating volunteer, Co-chair, and now Chair of the Strawberry Shortcake team over the years and absolutely loves it. She loves being able to work with friends and family. Her dad Chuck has been working right alongside her each and every year she's been there; the silent partner she couldn't do it without. Ashley says it is such a fun time getting to serve so many people and watching all the smiles come through the line. She's looking forward to see everyone again very soon!
Strawberry Shortcake Chairperson
Ashley has been a volunteer at the Strawberry Festival for a handful of years or so. She has been a participating volunteer, Co-chair, and now Chair of the Strawberry Shortcake team over the years and absolutely loves it. She loves being able to work with friends and family. Her dad Chuck has been working right alongside her each and every year she's been there; the silent partner she couldn't do it without. Ashley says it is such a fun time getting to serve so many people and watching all the smiles come through the line. She's looking forward to see everyone again very soon!
Audrey Calderon
Site Chairperson
coming soon
Site Chairperson
coming soon
Becky Van Atta
Junior Parade Chairperson
coming soon
Junior Parade Chairperson
coming soon
Bobbi Birch
Coronation Chairperson
2023 is Bobbi's fourth year on the board this go 'round. While currently the chairperson for coronation, she previously held the position of Grand Parade Chairperson from 1995-2014! She returned to the Festival Operations Board in 2019 because she missed being involved in this big event. She enjoys doing the work behind the scenes and the new friendships she has created.
Coronation Chairperson
2023 is Bobbi's fourth year on the board this go 'round. While currently the chairperson for coronation, she previously held the position of Grand Parade Chairperson from 1995-2014! She returned to the Festival Operations Board in 2019 because she missed being involved in this big event. She enjoys doing the work behind the scenes and the new friendships she has created.
Carin Komer
Sponsorships Co-Chair
Marketing Co-Chair
Carin relocated to Lebanon in 2018 after taking early retirement from a career in high tech. She joined the Festival Board in 2021 as a way to meet people and become more involved in her community. Carin has been instrumental in a variety of behind the scenes roles assisting the Sponsorships and Marketing teams, and filling in as interim Secretary in 2022.
Sponsorships Co-Chair
Marketing Co-Chair
Carin relocated to Lebanon in 2018 after taking early retirement from a career in high tech. She joined the Festival Board in 2021 as a way to meet people and become more involved in her community. Carin has been instrumental in a variety of behind the scenes roles assisting the Sponsorships and Marketing teams, and filling in as interim Secretary in 2022.
Cathy Exline
Family Land Chairperson
coming soon
Family Land Chairperson
coming soon
Christine Kulonis
Sponsor Hospitality Co-Chair
coming soon
Sponsor Hospitality Co-Chair
coming soon
Cindy Ongers
Sponsorships Chairperson
Sponsor Hospitality Chairperson
Cindy has been volunteering with the Festival since 2013 in a variety of positions...Country Fair/Vendors, Shortcake, Sponsor Hospitality and Sponsors. She loves the laughter, music, and watching friends & family reconnect...oh...and the FOOD!😊
Sponsorships Chairperson
Sponsor Hospitality Chairperson
Cindy has been volunteering with the Festival since 2013 in a variety of positions...Country Fair/Vendors, Shortcake, Sponsor Hospitality and Sponsors. She loves the laughter, music, and watching friends & family reconnect...oh...and the FOOD!😊
Darcie Vanderyacht
Entertainment Co-Chair
Family Land Co-Chair
coming soon
Entertainment Co-Chair
Family Land Co-Chair
coming soon
Jennifer Larsen
Tour of Strawberries Co-Chair
Jennifer has been celebrating Strawberry Festival since moving to Lebanon in 2001, instantly falling in love with it. Rain or Shine every year is a magical experience where Families and Friends join together to celebrate our town. While she has participated in several volunteer positions associated with the Festival, 2023 is her first year of being on the planning Board. She is looking forward to helping keep that magic going with those who share the same passion to keep this celebration alive.
Tour of Strawberries Co-Chair
Jennifer has been celebrating Strawberry Festival since moving to Lebanon in 2001, instantly falling in love with it. Rain or Shine every year is a magical experience where Families and Friends join together to celebrate our town. While she has participated in several volunteer positions associated with the Festival, 2023 is her first year of being on the planning Board. She is looking forward to helping keep that magic going with those who share the same passion to keep this celebration alive.
Jenni Grove
Entertainment Chairperson
coming soon
Entertainment Chairperson
coming soon
Jimmy Gonzales
Site Co-chair
coming soon
Site Co-chair
coming soon
Josh James
Vendors Co-chair
coming soon
Vendors Co-chair
coming soon
Justine Birch
Coronation Co-Chair
Justine is a Licensed Banker down at KeyBank and also a Lebanon resident of 30 years who REALLY enjoys hiking around our area. 2023 is her first year serving on the Lebanon Strawberry Festival Board. She is currently the Coronation Co-Chair alongside her Mother-in-law, Bobbi Birch. What made Justine decide to be apart of the festivities? The love for our little city, and the Strawberry Festival brings joy to her entire family. Justine can’t think of a better way to bring in summer than with community members she has become close with and spending time with her family. She hopes you all enjoy the festival this year! Peace ✌️, Love ❤️, and Strawberries 🍓
Coronation Co-Chair
Justine is a Licensed Banker down at KeyBank and also a Lebanon resident of 30 years who REALLY enjoys hiking around our area. 2023 is her first year serving on the Lebanon Strawberry Festival Board. She is currently the Coronation Co-Chair alongside her Mother-in-law, Bobbi Birch. What made Justine decide to be apart of the festivities? The love for our little city, and the Strawberry Festival brings joy to her entire family. Justine can’t think of a better way to bring in summer than with community members she has become close with and spending time with her family. She hopes you all enjoy the festival this year! Peace ✌️, Love ❤️, and Strawberries 🍓
Kellen Peters
Run/Walk Chairperson
coming soon
Run/Walk Chairperson
coming soon
Kelly Tamerius
Strawberry Shortcake Co-Chair
Kelly has lived in Lebanon since 2021 and wanted to get involved in her community, meet people and help where she is needed. The Strawberry Festival is such a huge event for our town and she thought it would be a great way to help our community.
Strawberry Shortcake Co-Chair
Kelly has lived in Lebanon since 2021 and wanted to get involved in her community, meet people and help where she is needed. The Strawberry Festival is such a huge event for our town and she thought it would be a great way to help our community.
Kimberly McGuigan
Junior Court Chairperson
Kimberly is a native Oregonian who has been a happily married housewife for 25 years. She's raised three children alongside her veteran husband. Presently, Kimberly manages their homestead, livestock & greenhouse. Her hobbies include mountaineering & volunteering in Lebanon. Kimberly is Vice President of the Lebanon Strawberrians & a Festival board member. Her motivation in the festival stems from witnessing the personal growth & confidence among the Junior & Senior Court Princesses throughout the year.
Junior Court Chairperson
Kimberly is a native Oregonian who has been a happily married housewife for 25 years. She's raised three children alongside her veteran husband. Presently, Kimberly manages their homestead, livestock & greenhouse. Her hobbies include mountaineering & volunteering in Lebanon. Kimberly is Vice President of the Lebanon Strawberrians & a Festival board member. Her motivation in the festival stems from witnessing the personal growth & confidence among the Junior & Senior Court Princesses throughout the year.
Madison Curry
Ticketing Co-chair
coming soon
Ticketing Co-chair
coming soon
Mary Cooke
Souvenirs/Info Booth Co-chair
coming soon
Souvenirs/Info Booth Co-chair
coming soon
Morgan Van Atta
Junior Parade Co-chair
coming soon
Junior Parade Co-chair
coming soon
Mr. G Nassar
Volunteers Chairperson
coming soon
Volunteers Chairperson
coming soon
Ralph Kleinschmit
Parking Chairperson
Ralph joined the board in 2023. He saw that there was a need for help at the Strawberry Festival and really enjoys working with the board members to put on the best possible Festival. Ralph is a life-long Lebanon resident, local business owner, husband, and father.
Parking Chairperson
Ralph joined the board in 2023. He saw that there was a need for help at the Strawberry Festival and really enjoys working with the board members to put on the best possible Festival. Ralph is a life-long Lebanon resident, local business owner, husband, and father.
Ronda Vinson
Security Co-chair
coming soon
Security Co-chair
coming soon
Sheree Speaks-Mahi
All Heroes Day Chairperson
Born and raised in Lebanon, Sheree has fond memories growing up with the dizzying rides, shortcake, and booming music of the Strawberry Festival carnivals. She also has fond memories marching in the parades (rain or shine) with the Seven Oak middle school and LHS marching band. Sheree comes from generations of military involvement. Her grandfather was in the Army during WWII, her dad was in the Navy during Vietnam and her brother was in the Marines during the Iraq war. She is proud to be involved in the Strawberry Festival to recognize the heroes who have served in the community and at large.
All Heroes Day Chairperson
Born and raised in Lebanon, Sheree has fond memories growing up with the dizzying rides, shortcake, and booming music of the Strawberry Festival carnivals. She also has fond memories marching in the parades (rain or shine) with the Seven Oak middle school and LHS marching band. Sheree comes from generations of military involvement. Her grandfather was in the Army during WWII, her dad was in the Navy during Vietnam and her brother was in the Marines during the Iraq war. She is proud to be involved in the Strawberry Festival to recognize the heroes who have served in the community and at large.
Sydney Roth
Run/Walk Co-chair
coming soon
Run/Walk Co-chair
coming soon
Tamme Young
Souvenirs/Info Booth Chairperson
coming soon
Souvenirs/Info Booth Chairperson
coming soon
Tammy Brewer
Volunteer Hospitality Chairperson
Volunteers Co-Chair
Tammy has been a Lebanon, Oregon resident for almost 9 years. Community service is very important to her. We teach our children by our actions... so teach them to give back to their community. That is why Tammy is part of the Strawberry Festival. Come be part of your community and join us!!!
Volunteer Hospitality Chairperson
Volunteers Co-Chair
Tammy has been a Lebanon, Oregon resident for almost 9 years. Community service is very important to her. We teach our children by our actions... so teach them to give back to their community. That is why Tammy is part of the Strawberry Festival. Come be part of your community and join us!!!
Tanya Miller
Ticketing Chairperson
Tanya is new to the board, and 2023 is her first year sitting on the board as ticket sales chair. The chance to work with such an amazing group of people is a honor. She's had a love of community volunteering for as long as she can remember. Tanya looks forward to being a part of a wonderful Strawberry Festival team.
Ticketing Chairperson
Tanya is new to the board, and 2023 is her first year sitting on the board as ticket sales chair. The chance to work with such an amazing group of people is a honor. She's had a love of community volunteering for as long as she can remember. Tanya looks forward to being a part of a wonderful Strawberry Festival team.
Tayah Storkson
Junior Court Co-Chair
Tayah was born and raised here in our great town of Lebanon, Oregon. She has been a part of the strawberry festival for a short time, but is thoroughly enjoying every minute! Tayah always wanted to be involved in our town, and being able to participate in one of the things that make our small so special has been such a blessing!
Junior Court Co-Chair
Tayah was born and raised here in our great town of Lebanon, Oregon. She has been a part of the strawberry festival for a short time, but is thoroughly enjoying every minute! Tayah always wanted to be involved in our town, and being able to participate in one of the things that make our small so special has been such a blessing!
Victoria Dobrkovsky
Senior Court Co-Chair
Victoria is a life-long resident of Lebanon and has experienced and participated in the Strawberry Festival since she was a young child. Being someone that believes in service and giving back to their community, she joined the Strawberry Festival Board in 2016 as a Senior Court Chaperone. Victoria enjoys being a mentor for the youth and seeing them grow while being ambassadors for our community, as well as seeing them pursue their post high school aspirations.
Senior Court Co-Chair
Victoria is a life-long resident of Lebanon and has experienced and participated in the Strawberry Festival since she was a young child. Being someone that believes in service and giving back to their community, she joined the Strawberry Festival Board in 2016 as a Senior Court Chaperone. Victoria enjoys being a mentor for the youth and seeing them grow while being ambassadors for our community, as well as seeing them pursue their post high school aspirations.
Wendy Immel
Tour of Strawberries Chairperson
Born and raised in and around Lebanon, the Strawberry Festival has always had a special place in Wendy's heart. In grade school she was honored to participate in painting strawberries on downtown business windows leading up to the big weekend. Over the years she has walked in the parade as a participant and more recently a chaperone for her kiddos. Wendy even asked her now husband on their first date when she saw him at the festival more than 25 years ago. Giving back to the community and this special Lebanon tradition is an honor.
Tour of Strawberries Chairperson
Born and raised in and around Lebanon, the Strawberry Festival has always had a special place in Wendy's heart. In grade school she was honored to participate in painting strawberries on downtown business windows leading up to the big weekend. Over the years she has walked in the parade as a participant and more recently a chaperone for her kiddos. Wendy even asked her now husband on their first date when she saw him at the festival more than 25 years ago. Giving back to the community and this special Lebanon tradition is an honor.
