2019 OMPA Board Elections

Roland Gauthier

Roland is a Founder and Executive Producer of Hinge Digital, focusing his talents on the studio’s strategic development, client relationships & vendor partnerships, and public relations. With over a 15 years of experience in the animation and VFX industries, and six of those as a business owner, Roland brings a wealth of experience in communications and strategy, production management and budgeting, as well as solutions-oriented problem solving and hands-on production. He is thrilled to contribute to the OMPA’s continued growth as a vibrant and sustainable member-driven professional organization.

James Westby

Called "a wizard of concision and a master of discomfort" by The New York Times, James Westby is an independent filmmaker from Portland, OR. He writes, directs, and edits provocative films with economical budgets and no compromises. And big laughs! And discomfort.

Westby-made features include FILM GEEK (socially inept video store clerk loses his job and starts working at an auto parts warehouse), THE AUTEUR (sweet romantic comedy about the world’s greatest porn director) and RID OF ME (timid housewife wreaks revenge on her yuppie husband and his a-hole friends). His films have played at the Tribeca Film Festival, Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival, Palm Springs Shortsfest, and hundreds of others.

Westby's work in the commercial world includes the short film EVAN RACHEL WOULD for tomboy clothier Wildfang (starring Kim Gordon, Beth Ditto, and Evan Rachel Wood), as well as recent campaigns for Duraflame and the cannabis edibles company Mirth Provisions. He is currently at work on his next feature, the experimental comedy-musical-documentary AT THE VIDEO STORE (starring John Waters, Bill Hader, Nicole Holofcener, and Todd Haynes).

Patty Brebner

Patty Brebner is the Director of W+K Studios ­­- Wieden + Kennedy’s film and experiential development and production studio. W+K Studios encompasses story development and treatment; live action, animation AR/VR/MX, VFX and audio production; and W+K’s post facility, Joint.

Patty is responsible for the Studio’s Creator talent and development; finances, operations and project development; and delivery standards of content from Creators Studio.

Prior to W+K Studios, Patty was Managing Director of W+K’s Portland and New York post production studios, Joint, which has produced some of the industry’s most awarded post work and talent.

Patty has worked with the leadership of W+K for over a decade to develop our creative studio capabilities and ensure it’s comparable to best in class production houses in talent, output and culture; driving innovation in approach and opportunities. She’s collaborated with W+K’s brands across the network, and had a hand in producing some of W+K’s most iconic work. Prior to joining W+K, Patty worked in film, music video and TV production; and as a journalist.

Michael Koerner

Michael Koerner, owner of Koerner Camera Systems Inc. with offices in Portland and Seattle. We rent the most sophisticated motion picture cameras, lenses and accessories available to episodic television shows, movies, commercials and corporate productions. Koerner Camera has grown to be the largest Motion Picture Camera Rental House North of Los Angeles. Prior to Koerner Camera, Michael was a freelance camera assistant and cinematographer. Long time OMPA member, former OMPA board member, married with four children.

Tawny Schlieski

Tawny Schlieski is a research scientist, and a virtual reality producer. She is founder and president of Oregon Story Board, a non-profit dedicated to building diversity and inclusion in the VR economy, and she runs Shovels and Whiskey, a VR prototyping studio in Portland, Oregon.

Her work centers on the role of technology in enabling new forms of communication, including rethinking education and collaboration, creation and play, and immersive technology at work. Her partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company on The Tempest delivered record breaking audiences, and two Innovation Lions at Cannes.

Her current work leverages VR to teach students critical thinking and research skills; and AR to transform expertise transfer in the workplace.

Jerry Bell Jr.

Jerry Bell Jr. is an award-winning independent film director, producer, SAG/AFTRA actor, event host, motivational speaker, and emcee. He also served an 8-year tenure in the US Air Force as a radar technician and satellite communications technician (with an honorable discharge).

JBj has been recognized with such honors as: Best Actor in Portland by Willamette Week, Best Director for Angela’s Sacred Heart, and Best Director for Red White & Black - which also won Best Biographical Documentary.

His production company, JBJR Productions, primarily focuses on creating films that address issues challenging our society. With an equity mindset, JBj’s objective is to identify and uplift film industry talents of color and women who are traditionally underserved. He is an inaugural member of OMPA’s Diversity Committee.

cdavid cottrill

I've been based in the Pacific NW since 2005. First in Spokane, WA and now Portland, OR. Prior to this was a wonderful, 18-year stint as a Props Designer, Art Director & crew member for Theatre, TV Commercials, & Feature Films in Philadelphia, PA. I bring to the table 30 years in the Entertainment Biz & 27 years as a Property Master & Art Director.

I am currently the Southern Business Agent-Elect of IATSE Local 488, and will fully assume these duties in mid-January 2019. I have been a member of the Executive Board since 2010; elected Vice President in 2016 and put in charge of New Membership. I rewrote our Member Handbook and created an online Member Orientation Program. In 2016 I instigated the creation of a training program for members and have served as the Training Coordinator since its inception.

Besides my work in the Entertainment Industry I have founded and run a non-profit, worked administratively for arts organizations, and tended bar. I am a proud member in absentia of the Philadelphia Dumpster Divers, a found object artist collective.

When not working, you'll find me hanging out with Benny the cat and my wife Colette, a Mental Health Counselor, both of whom keep me sane.

Noah Stanik

Noah Stanik is Executive Producer at Nike in Global Brand Creative Production. He has worked as a producer, director and writer in advertising/marketing and is an award-winning independent filmmaker whose work has screened at numerous festivals. At Nike he produces advertising and marketing for broadcast, digital and retail distribution around the globe. Forever a maker, when not busy creating film and video, Noah is busy designing and making furniture, video game consoles or whatever is next. He lives with his awesome family in Portland, OR.

David Cress

David Cress' career as an independent producer encompasses a multitude of genres. His work in music videos, advertising, feature films and now television has established David as a key contributor in vitalizing the industry that is growing steadily around him in Portland, Oregon.

As the founding partner of Food Chain Films, a company he led out of obscurity and into the spotlight, David has developed the ability to bring talent together and lead projects seamlessly to their fruition. His leadership, coordination and knack for creating an environment for directors to thrive in, has brought him clients such as Nike, Budweiser, MTV, Miller Lite and Pennzoil.

He is also known for his work on multiple films by internationally known director Gus Van Sant, including the critically acclaimed drama, Paranoid Park. He is more recently known for producing the hit comedy show Portlandia for which he was nominated for an Emmy in 2015. Other awards include work recognized by Peabody Cannes, Clio, CA, and One Show as well as Honorable Mention at the Sundance Film Festival and the Jury Prize for Best Music Video at SXSW Film Festival.

Write-In Candidate

Have someone in mind who you don't see here? We welcome write-in candidates!

Neil Kopp

Neil Kopp is a film producer whose projects include Kelly Reichardt’s Old Joy (2006), Wendy and Lucy (2008), Meek's Cutoff (2010), Night Moves (2014). He also produced Gus Van Sant’s Paranoid Park (2007), and Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room (2015). Neil recently finished Reichardt’s Certain Women which was released in 2017. He is currently working on Jeremy Saulnier's Hold The Dark, and Ritesh Batra's Photograph, among other projects in various stages of development. He produces with Anish Savjani through their company filmscience, and lives in Portland.

Josh Lunden

Josh Lunden has been working as an independent writer, director and producer (and occasional DP) for nearly eight years in Portland. His films have screened at festivals across the country and have received international distribution. Josh currently serves as Director of Multimedia at Pollinate, a Portland creative agency, working on commercials, social campaigns, etc. Josh is a passionate advocate of independent artists and has been grateful for the opportunity to serve the Oregon media production community through OMPA.