WCVA Staff
Heather Anderson: Tourism Sales Manager (ext. 110)
Heather Anderson is the WCVA’s tourism sales manager, serving as the main contact for tour operators, receptive operators, day operators and international travel leads for Washington County.
As a graduate of Mt. Hood Community College with an A.S. in Radio Broadcasting, Heather found herself leaving the world of hospitality and hotels to pursue a career in radio. She worked in the programming and promotion departments for multiple stations at Entercom Radio for 4 years and moved to Clear Channel Radio as the Promotions Director for KRVO. Her passion for travel and hospitality led her to a Catering Sales Director position with Prism Hotels, then worked at Pacific University as Catering Manager. In March 2008, Heather began working at the WCVA, which is her first role at a DMO.
Heather refers to herself as an almost “True Oregonian;” moving from Alaska to the area decades ago. In her free time, Heather looks for memorable outdoor adventures, music festivals or just some good family fun. Being a Washington County resident since age six, Heather makes time to share the favorite local activities she enjoyed as a kid with her daughter. Heather is happily surprised that she can still find new things to do here!
Raiza Dottin: Administrative Assistant (ext. 109)
Raiza joined the WCVA in August 2011 as an administrative assistant, supporting the operations, stakeholder, marketing and sales departments. A native of New York City, Raiza recently moved to Oregon from Mesa, Arizona. She is a graduate of Arizona State University (Go Sun Devils!), where she also worked as a receptionist in the physics department and as an administrative assistant in the Judicial Affairs Office.
In her free time, Raiza enjoys finding waterfalls, going to concerts and locating beaver hot spots.
Allison George: Stakeholder Development Manager (ext. 111)
As the WCVA’s Stakeholder Manager, Allison serves as the stakeholder liaison and is responsible for community outreach. Allison also coordinates the WCVA’s Westside Spotlight networking events.
A native of Southern Oregon, and an aspiring actress, Allison has lived in the Portland metro area for more than 10 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from Carroll College in Helena, MT, where she was a member of the basketball team. She was inducted into the college’s sports hall of fame in 2006. She is currently a board member for the Beaverton Civic Theatre.
Christopher Glawe: Graphic Designer (ext. 106)
Chris Glawe joined the WCVA in January 2011 as the graphic designer. He designs all of the WCVA’s print and online ads, as well as marketing collateral.
Chris is a native Oregonian, but spent the last 20 years living and working as a graphic designer in New York City. During his time in the Big Apple, he earned his Associate in Occupational Studies in Graphic Design from Pratt Institute, and later earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the School of Visual Arts.
When Chris isn’t designing he can be found reading comic books, visiting art galleries and creating art projects.
Melissa Hay: Online & Interactive Coordinator (ext. 112)
Melissa Hay joined the WCVA in July 2011 as the online & marketing coordinator, heading up the WCVA’s two websites and associated technical aspects, as well as enewsletter design, website statistical reporting, and applying her photography talent to capture images of the destination. An Oregon native, Melissa is a graduate of the University of Oregon, and worked for high-profile companies such as Logitech and WebMD.
Corey Kearsley: Sports Sales Manager (ext. 102)
Corey Kearsley joined the WCVA in May 2011, after 16 years working on the business side of professional sports. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and the United States Sports Academy with a graduate degree in sport management, he spent five years with the Portland Rockies Baseball Club, followed by 11 years with Game Face, Inc., a consulting and training company for professional sports teams.
Kearsley is responsible for soliciting and booking sporting and athletic events for Washington County that result in greater hotel occupancy, increased revenue for local sports-related venues, and enhanced media exposure. When not facilitating sporting events, he enjoys participating. On any given day you may find him on the basketball court, the soccer pitch, the softball field, or pounding the pavement on a run. While completing three marathons has been an exhilarating feeling, his greatest race is chasing after his four kids and making sure his wife of 21 years knows she’s the greatest thing that’s happened to him. Born and raised in Gresham, Corey is also a board member of Voices for the Performing Arts Foundation in Sherwood.
Angie Marsh: Communications Associate (ext. 113)
Angie Suchy Marsh joined the WCVA in August 2009. As communications associate, she is responsible for furthering WCVA’s online and print marketing efforts, including social media, content on the websites, the visitor guide, and both consumer and industry eNewsletters.
Marsh has worked as a web editor, communications associate and publications specialist for nonprofit organizations, including Multnomah Athletic Club, Mt. Hood Community College and the environmental organization Metafore (now GreenBlue). She is the author of multiple award-winning essays and publications. Marsh has a B.A. from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, and is certified in sustainability through Oregon Natural Step.
A Portland native, she can often be found pulling her younger daughter in a bike trailer around the area, searching for adventure.
Martha Moore: Director of Operations (ext. 101)
Martha Moore is a 14-year WCVA employee. She is responsible for the organization’s finances, human resources and operations. Moore has lived in Washington County for 30 years, and has had an impressive career in the corporate sector in the areas of benefits administration management, human resources consulting, office management and insurance.
Sylke Neal-Finnegan, APR: Director of Marketing & Communications (ext. 104)
Sylke Neal-Finnegan joined the WCVA June 2007 as communications and public relations manager. She currently oversees the WCVA’s marketing department, serves as editor-in-chief and is responsible for all marketing initiatives, including media relations, advertising and online content.
Neal-Finnegan has more than 15 years of public relations and marketing experience in the tourism industry. Before joining the WCVA, the Las Vegas native served as public relations manager for the Golden Nugget Hotels and Casinos in Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nev., traveled throughout the country as a recruiter for Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas, and served as public relations specialist for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).
Neal-Finnegan is an accredited public relations practioner, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Marie Prins: Visitor Information Specialist (ext. 100)
Marie Prins, visitor information specialist, joined the WCVA in 2004 after volunteering for the organization. She oversees the visitor information center, and is often the first person to greet visitors, either in-person or by phone. In addition, Prins is responsible for visitor information services, which encompasses myriad tasks, including overseeing the inventory of publications, coordinating events, and assisting visitors – drop-in visitors, callers and online requests – with information about Washington County.
Birgitte Simmons: Meeting Sales Coordinator (ext. 108)
Birgitte Simmons joined the WCVA in November 2009 as administrative and sales assistant, and became meeting sales coordinator in May 2011. She is the go-to person for meetings and events of all sizes, including weddings. She also takes meeting requests from planners.
A native of Aloha, Ore., Birgitte (pronounced Bur-GEET-uh) and her family lived in the Netherlands for a year-and-a-half, and Birgitte attended Brigham Young University in Utah and Brigham Young University-Hawaii in Oahu, from which she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in hospitality and tourism management. Prior to joining the WCVA, she worked for the Portland Rose Festival Foundation.
In her free time she enjoys hiking, body surfing, photography, cooking and traveling.