group of people with the intention of "focusing on matters of global justice - ecological, economic, intercultural, spiritual..." Thus began a dialogue - and a community - both of which evolved over time to pursue a vision of justice that addresses the brokenness so many of us see and experience in our world today.
From this thoughtful and deliberate process, the Pacific Center for Global Justice was formally established in June of 2009 "to enhance the knowledge and practice of justice among individuals and institutions." In April of 2010, the Pacific Center received its IRS letter of determination as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
Frank Fromherz, Ph. D. - Chair
A native Oregonian, Frank has served as a college professor and justice & peace organizer since 1978. He has a broad base of experience convening groups, facilitating dialogue, conducting research and analysis, and collaborating with groups focused on grassroots empowerment, ecological and economic justice concerns. Frank has a great appreciation for foreign languages and cultures through both his travels and in living abroad. Frank is the proud father of two sons and grandfather of three grandchildren. He earned his Ph.D. in Religion & Society/Social Ethics from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California.
Board of Directors
Edel Alumia-Winters
Edel is currently "on leave" from the board while living abroad. She was raised in the Philippines and a resident of Tokyo for two years. She has fifteen years experience working in an engineering role for a multi-national corporation, and in addition to raising a family, she has been an active volunteer for a number of nonprofit organizations. Edel has a B.S. in Sociology.
David DeMarkey - Treasurer
Born in Greenwich, Connecticut, David moved to Oregon in 1976. He is the Director of Business for City View Charter School, and prior to this role, spent 15 years as a management consultant. He also held a teaching positions at both Clackamas and Portland Community Colleges. David was a board member and President of Lents Education Center, as well as a founding board member and Chair of Oregonians Against Gun Violence. He is married with two grown step-children and has a B.S. from University of Michigan and an M.S. in Management from Marylhurst University.
O.B. Hill
O.B. is an historian, a writer, an organizer, a retired businessman, father and grandfather. When he is not working on his memoirs, O.B. contributes his time and talents to a plethora of civic and philanthropic causes, and he has served on a number of non-profit boards.
A Brief History
In March of 2008, Dr. Frank Fromherz - a long-time educator, organizer, and justice advocate - convened a small
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Jim is a family therapist in private practice in Portland, his home since 1972. Prior to private practice, he worked as an administrator and consultant in the healthcare field. Jim received his Masters of Social Work in 1967 from the University of Washington and has held faculty appointments from three medical schools. Jim has two adult daughters and one granddaughter who all living in Portland.
A native Portlander, Serenity graduated from PSU with her B.A. in Community Development. She works as the Emergency Shelter Clearinghouse Coordinator for the Council for the Homeless, helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Clark County to access available shelter space, and chairs the Winter Hospitality
Overflow (WHO) Committee which provides expanded shelter during the cold winter months. In her free time Serenity loves to hike throughout the western states with her partner, Matteo.
PCGJ Staff
Rose Gerber - Executive Director
A native of New England, Rose Gerber spent much of her early adulthood perusing career in songwriting. At the age of 23, Rose returned to college to pursue her other passion, working for an international humanitarian organization. Rose is originally from Massachusetts where she attended Smith College and received an undergraduate degree in Government with a focus on International Relations. Currently, she is a graduate student at Portland State University. Her degree is in Public Administration with a focus on Global Leadership and Management.
Throughout her graduate work Rose has worked as an intern and volunteer with various international and domestic non-profits. Grant writing and research, community fundraising, and organizational research are among the skills she has acquired during these opportunities.
Naomi has been active around peace, feminism, and art in the public interest since the last century. In 2009, she and her spouse relocated to Portland from New York City where she was a member of Grandmothers against the War. A feminist therapist in Baltimore, Maryland, she has an MSW from the University of Maryland, an A.B. from Oberlin College. Naomi is a Senior Auditor at Portland State University and writes about political and personal issues at her blog www.alittleredhen.com..
Ron Bloom
Ron, educator (Morgan State, New York, Johns Hopkins Universities), has a long background in teaching about group work and leading groups--both useful to how diverse people can create more peaceful communities. He was also a couples' therapist in Baltimore with his spouse. Current interests are spinning wool, knitting hats, weaving, and classes at Portland State as a Senior Auditor. He and his wife Naomi have two remarkable grown children, four young grandchildren (three in Portland; one in NYC). Ron's three degrees are from New York University.
