Sabra Jewell – Board President
City Communications, City of Monmouth
Term Expires: December 2026

Sabra Jewell brings nearly a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, with a focus on fund development, grant writing, and event management. Before this, she spent ten years in the restaurant industry, which continues to influence her approach to community engagement.

Raised in Smyrna, Georgia, Sabra earned her BA in Communication from the College of Charleston and her MPA from the University of Colorado–Denver. After living in Boulder, Colorado, she resides in Independence with her husband and two pets.

Currently serving as a Development Officer at Western Oregon University, Sabra is passionate about strengthening communities through service, collaboration, and her enduring love for the hospitality industry.

Karen Frascone – 1st Vice President
Owner – K Insurance Group
Term Expires: December 2028

Karen Frascone grew up on a small dairy farm in Wisconsin and earned a BA in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin. She moved to Oregon in 1979 and has over 20 years of experience as a health insurance agent, joining Pfaff-Karren Insurance in 2010.

Known as the “lady with the purple business card,” Karen has been a Salem Chamber of Commerce member since 2001 and serves on the boards of the Independence Downtown Association, Monmouth-Independence Community Foundation, and Sons of Norway Thor and Sonja Lodges.

Karen is one of 31 agents statewide who received a State of Oregon grant to assist more Oregonians in accessing health insurance. Passionate about client care and excellence, she leads the K Insurance Group in delivering top-notch health and life insurance customer service.

John McArdle – 2nd Vice President
Past Mayor of Independence
Term Expires: December 2027

John McArdle brings over 30 years of leadership experience in higher education and public service to the MICF Board. Currently a Senior Fellow at the Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University, he previously served as Director of Development and Governmental Affairs at Linn-Benton Community College and Western Oregon University.

John dedicated 26 years as Mayor of Independence, during which the city earned multiple awards, including the All America City designation and the LOC Award of Excellence. He is a past president of the League of Oregon Cities, Oregon Mayors Association, and the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce, where he was named First Citizen in 2004. He co-founded the Monmouth-Independence YMCA and has served on the Governor’s Homeland Security Council and the Regional Solutions Advisory Council.

An accomplished athlete, John was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Track and Field team. He has held leadership roles with the U.S. Olympic/Paralympic Committee and USA Track and Field and is currently President of the Oregon Chapter of the U.S. Olympic/Paralympic Alumni Association.

John, his wife Patty Nevue, and their dog Buddy live in the historic Eldridge House in Independence. They have one son, Marcus, who resides in Oregon. As a proud community member, John is also a “reserve champion” peach pie baker, recognized at the Polk County Fair.

Abby Fitts – Secretary
Labor Attorney – Barran Liebmann LLP
Term Expires: December 2028

Abby Fitts grew up overseas and served in the Navy before settling in Independence in 2008. She and her husband reside on their family farm with their three children, all of whom attend Central schools.

As the owner of a law office in Independence, Abby is dedicated to serving her community. She volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care and is actively involved in local and statewide boards. Her affiliations include the Monmouth Independence Chamber of Commerce, SEDCOR, and the Oregon Association of Defense Counsel.

Committed to advocating for children and supporting her community, Abby’s diverse experiences and leadership make her an asset to the Monmouth-Independence Community Foundation.

PJ Armstrong – Treasurer
MINET General Manager
Term Expires: December 2027

PJ Armstrong, a native Oregonian from the Salem area, has worked in telecommunications since 1995, specializing in mapping and engineering Cable TV systems for an international client base. He joined Monmouth Independence Networks (MINET) in 2006 and has held a variety of roles over nearly 20 years.

In addition to his leadership at MINET, PJ contributes to the community by actively participating in the Monmouth Business Association and the Monmouth Independence Chamber of Commerce.

PJ lives in the Monmouth area with his wife of 20 years, their two large dogs, and their cat, who rules the household. He has two children and enjoys trail running, playing musical instruments, and exploring artistic pursuits in his spare time.

Vern Wells, Past President 
Retired from the City of Independence
Term Expires December 2026

A lifelong resident of the Monmouth-Independence area and a Central High School graduate, Vernon Wells dedicated over 40 years to serving the community through emergency services and law enforcement. While attending Oregon College of Education (now Western Oregon University), he lived at the Monmouth Fire Department, working as a dispatcher, firefighter, and medic. Vernon went on to a distinguished career in law enforcement, serving as Police Chief of Independence for 26 years, working under three mayors and five city managers.

Vernon holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Western Oregon University. He spent over a decade as a part-time instructor at the Oregon Department of Public Safety and Training, an adjunct professor at WOU, and a contract trainer for the Western Community Policing Institute, specializing in Community Policing and Ethics. He also served in leadership roles within the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, including as President from 2007 to 2008.

Since retiring in 2014, Vernon has devoted his time to the Monmouth-Independence Community Foundation (MICF). He joined the Executive Board in 2006 and served as Board President from 2015 to 2023 and 2025. Vernon is passionate about MICF’s mission to create a lasting impact and deeply admires its founders’ foresight in ensuring perpetual program funding for the community.

Members at Large:

Dr. G. David Beasley
Director of Development, Annual Giving & Sponsorships, Western Oregon University
Term Expires: December 2027

David “Dave” Beasley brings over a decade of higher education administrative and fundraising experience to the MICF Board. A native of Richmond, VA, he moved to Monmouth/Independence in 2022 after a decade in Las Vegas. Dave volunteers with local nonprofits to combat alcoholism and drug abuse is active in the Monmouth Business Association and works at the WOU Foundation to advance the mission of Western Oregon University.

An avid hiker and kayaker, Dave loves all the outdoor adventures that Oregon – and the Mid-Willamette Valley in particular – has to offer. He also enjoys writing, and his favorite thing in the world is live music. Dave is passionate and enthusiastic about all things Monmouth/Independence and is excited to be a part of the present and future of this community.

Dave holds degrees from Roanoke College (B.A.), Virginia Commonwealth University (M.A.), and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Ph.D.) and has taught courses in research writing, world literature, and British literature at three different schools, including Western. Dave lives in Independence with his ever-growing collection of concert posters.

Susan Graham
Managing Member, Graham Oregon Properties, LLC
Tax Attorney, Ernst & Young (Retired)
Term Expires: December 2028

Susan Graham joined the MICF Board after retiring from a 15-year career as a Tax Attorney at Ernst & Young. She now manages a rental real estate business and serves as the Monmouth Location Coordinator for the AARP Tax-Aide program. Susan is also a board member of the Family YMCA of Marion & Polk Counties and has been actively involved in nonprofit boards and volunteer organizations in California and Oregon since 2006. Her volunteer efforts focus on education, diversity and inclusion, professional development, and health and wellness.

Since moving to Independence in 2014, Susan has embraced the community and enjoys participating in local groups like the Women of Independence and Monmouth (WIM). A former resident of San Francisco, San Diego, the East Coast, and even France, she proudly tells everyone she’s here to stay. Susan is married and has an adult son in California. In her free time, she loves driving her Miata on scenic backroads.

Cec Koontz
Mayor of Monmouth
Director, Finance & Operations, Central 13J School District
Term Expires: December 2027

Cecelia “Cec” Koontz has been a dedicated leader in the Monmouth community for over a decade. She served as a city councilor from 2010 to 2014 and has held leadership roles in several Monmouth-Independence organizations.

In 2012, Cec was honored as the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce’s First Citizen for her outstanding community service. She was elected Mayor of Monmouth in 2018 and continues to serve in that role today.

Cec is also a member of the WOU Board of Trustees and serves as the Director of Finance and Operations for the Central School District. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington.

Dr. Jennifer Kubista
Superintendent, Central 13J School District
Term Expires: December 2028

Dr. Jennifer Kubista has served as Superintendent of Central School District 13J since 2017, leading with a focus on continuous learning, equity, accountability, and collaboration to support the development of both students and educators.

She is an active member of several organizations, including the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA) Equity Board, the Oregon School Activities Association Board (serving as Vice President for the 2024-25 school year), and the Oregon Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (OASCD) Board, where she is a past president. Dr. Kubista also serves on the Systems of Care Executive Council for Marion and Polk Counties and is a valued member of the Monmouth-Independence Community Foundation Board.

Dr. Kubista has worked with the Pac-12 (2015-2024) and will begin contributing to the Big Ten in her spare time. A passionate volleyball enthusiast, she continues to give back to the sport that shaped her life.

A lifelong learner, Dr. Kubista holds degrees from Gonzaga University (BBA), the University of Connecticut (MA.Ed.), and Seattle University (Ed.D.).

Robert Mason
Independence Police Department Police Chief, Retired
Term Expires: December 2027

Robert “Bob” Mason grew up in Hood River, Oregon, where he developed a great love for the outdoors.  He moved to Monmouth to attend Western Oregon, where he graduated in 1992.  That year, he also married Jennifer, and they chose Independence as the place to raise their family.  Together, they raised three children who graduated from Central High School.  

In 1993, Bob joined the City of Independence Police Department, where he served for 32 years, including 10 years as Chief of Police and 8 months as acting City Manager between 2021 and 2022.

Bob has served as a leader or active member with many organizations throughout the years, including Central Youth Sports, the Panther Club, the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, the FBI National Academy Associates, and the MINET Board.

Bob serves on the MICF board’s finance committee and hopes to help position the foundation for decades of success, providing much-needed support to this community.

Ben Meyer
Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
Term Expires: December 2026

Ben Meyer has been a financial advisor with Edward Jones since 2000 and became a limited partner in 2011. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Western Oregon State University and earned the Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®) designation in 2006, reflecting his commitment to professional ethics and continuing education.

A Monmouth resident since 1993, Ben is deeply involved in the community. He is an active member of Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Monmouth-Independence Community Foundation, and volunteers with the First Baptist Church.

Ben and his wife, Kari, have one son and two daughters and are proud to call Monmouth home.

Sarah Ramirez
Owner, Joyful Blessings Consulting
Term Expires: December 2026

Sarah Ramirez is a lifelong Polk County resident and a proud Central High School graduate. She and her husband, Jesus, live in Independence with their son and a lively assortment of animals.

Sarah has a long-standing commitment to her community, having worked in various local businesses and volunteered as a board member, parent advocate, and fund developer for multiple nonprofits. She is especially passionate about promoting inclusion and accessibility for individuals living with disabilities, a cause she has championed for many years.

Through her involvement with the Monmouth-Independence Community Foundation, Sarah is dedicated to giving back and supporting the next generation of leaders in Monmouth and Independence.