ETPA Officers & Directors
Vice President, Director, Organist, Volunteer
Paul Quarino - Director since 2012
Current Board term expires: December 31, 2024
Current Officer term expires: December 31, 2024
There was a time in Paul Quarino’s association with the Egyptian Theatre that his co-workers at Hillsboro’s Rodgers Instruments thought there must be something or someone pretty special in the Coos Bay Area, given his frequent week-end trips to the South Coast. Little did they realize the reason that drew him then, and has continued to draw him for some 40 years now, is his special relationship with the Egyptian’s Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ.
Paul is a master at keeping the 98-year-old instrument, original in its installation, playing and in working order. Paul learned pipe organ repair and maintenance from Fred C. Weickhardt of the Wangerin-Weickhardt Company, Milwaukee, WI. For 40 plus years Paul has made the trek to Coos Bay after Thanksgiving and before The Sounds of Christmas concerts to ensure that the organ is playable and in tune. He has given generously to the Egyptian of his time and expertise. In addition, over the years Paul has presented concerts and silent movie events at the Egyptian, playing the film accompaniments on the Wurlitzer. His devotion and long service to the Egyptian have earned him the Golden Charioteer designation.
Born in Milwaukee, WI, Paul majored in music education at UW-Milwaukee and continued at the MacPhail College of Music in Minneapolis. For five years, Paul taught Piano and Organ performance at North Central Bible College Minneapolis. For many years Paul performed as a Wurlitzer Concert Artist and is fondly remembered by many as the musical director and organist of the former Organ Grinder Restaurant in Portland. Most recently, he retired after 16 years as Musical Product Evaluator at the Rodgers Instruments Corporation.
Paul is a lifetime member of the ETPA.
Treasurer, Director, Rigging Specialist, Stage Light Technician
Jeremy Conway - Director since 2016
Current Board term expires: December 31, 2025
Current Officer term expires: December 31, 2025
Jeremy Conway, born in Coos Bay, studied lighting design and technical theater at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. After graduation he came back to Coos Bay where he began working with the Egyptian Theater. Like many, the Egyptian represents the most formative memories of his theater going experience and he hopes to help preserve that tradition for generations to come.
His experience includes working with community and school theaters as well as time at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival where he learned how a small theater, with a strong vision, could grow into a robust local and regional attraction that creates unique cultural opportunities within the community.
Jeremy started working with The Egyptian in January of 2015 with a special concert by a renowned local musician. He immediately recognized the potential of the space in serving the community as more than its traditional role of a movie theater and has worked to improve the current function of the space as a multipurpose entertainment venue.
Fascinated by the idea of bringing modern technology seamlessly into a historic space, his goals for the Egyptian include the renovation of the stage house. This will enable us to safely host a wide array of live performance while protecting the flexible use and historic charm on both sides of the curtain.
Secretary, Director, Volunteer Coordinator, Newsletter, Volunteer
June Willoughby - Director since 2017
Current Board term expires: December 31, 2025
Current Officer term expires: December 31, 2025
June is a retired high school guidance counselor from New York state and moved to Coos Bay with her partner, Janet, in 1998. She taught basic computer skills at SOCC from 1999 to 2008 in the Adult Learning Skills Program and had a private computer business from 2004 until 2012.
June has been a member of the ETPA since its first year and started as a volunteer in 2008 by selling concessions a couple of times a month. When the theatre closed, she started helping out in other ways, primarily using her computer skills. She helps maintain the database, prepares the thank you notes that are mailed for the contributions and memberships the ETPA receives, puts together the newsletter for publication, sends the email notices the members receive and serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for Concessions, Box Office and Projection. The ETPA board elected her a Golden Charioteer in 2014 in recognition of her dedicated service to the ETPA. She used the monetary award from that to buy headsets for the hard of hearing and she uses them quite regularly.
She enjoys her computer work, but would much rather certify the popcorn as fit for sale and she is very happy to be behind the counter saying, “Would you like any butter on that?”
Director, Organ Maintenance, Volunteer
David Engholm - Director since 2006
Current Board term expires: December 31, 2025
A founding Egyptian Theatre Preservation Association board member and its first President, David’s love of the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ and historic theatres began in the 1970’s, when he first heard a Mighty Wurlitzer at the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo, CA. A lengthy career in theaters in California followed, before David and his wife Lupita moved to Coos Bay in 1990. Here he discovered the treasured Egyptian Theatre and its own Mighty Wurlitzer. In 2005, when he heard the news that the future of the Egyptian was uncertain, he joined with others to form the ETPA and has worked tirelessly since to support the restoration of the theatre.
Many accomplishments were made during his tenure as the ETPA’s first president and in the years since. A large banister was removed that was built in front of the orchestra pit that obstructed the view of the Mighty Wurlitzer. David built a platform for the organ console, raising it more than 2 feet. He was also the driving force behind removing the mini theaters that were constructed in the balcony and restoring the balcony. He also worked tirelessly in readying the Egyptian for re-opening after structural repairs and enhancements were complete. His background skills and willingness to serve have been pivotal in saving and restoring the Egyptian. David’s devotion, length and quality of service to the Egyptian have earned him the Golden Charioteer designation.
Director, Volunteer
Patti Bennett - Director since 2022
Current Board term expires: December 31, 2024
Current Officer term expires: December 31, 2024
Patti Bennett has been a very active concessions volunteer since the re-opening in 2014. She’s also been pouring Sangria wine since the theatre’s first Wine Walk. In December 2023, she was awarded “Volunteer of the Year” with co-volunteer June Willoughby.
As a former member of Zonta, she was Club secretary under 4 presidents, and Foundation secretary for 2 terms for a total of 6 years. She led several committees and participated on others. She has also volunteered at the Clambake Music Festival as a site manager, at Shore Acres Festival of Lights, the Hauser fire department’s Spaghetti Feed,and for LTOB’s concession booth. Patti has worked in the community since 2004, retired, and re-entered the work force. She failed at her first attempt at retirement, but COVID convinced her to retire a second time for good. She loves the Egyptian and is honored to have a position on the Board.
President, Director, Webmaster, Volunteer
Chris Malone - Director since 2022
Current Board term expires: December 31, 2024
Current Officer term expires: December 31, 2024
Chris Malone grew up in Oregon’s Bay Area after moving here at the age of 3 with his family in 1969. After High School Chris joined the US Army, he trained as a helicopter crewchief and mechanic. He was in a variety of units serving all over the world, including a medevac unit in the first Gulf War. After his time in the Army, Chris moved back home in 1993 to raise his family in the same community he was raised in.
Chris then worked for FedEx Express which turned into a career, and he retired from FedEx in 2021. He now spends his time as a professional Landscape/Nature and Aviation photographer. Chris is a current member of the Oregon Coast Photographer’s Association and has served on its board of directors as Secretary and President. Chris is a current member of the Worldwide and Oregon Professional Photographers of America, and the International Society For Aviation Photographers. Chris’s photography has won numerous awards, recognitions and has been published in magazines and online.
One of Chris’s lifelong loves has been The Egyptian Theatre, and he feels that it’s time for him to give back to The Egyptian, the place that created so many lasting childhood and adult memories for him. “It’s our responsibility to preserve and promote our historic Egyptian Theatre so future generations have memories there too.” As a volunteer, member, and now director, Chris hopes to use his skills in photography, computer/tech, and image and graphic design knowledge to help accomplish his mission to help make The Egyptian Theatre live on!
Director
Patti Worthen - Director since 2024
Current Board term expires: December 31, 2024
I was born and raised in Coos Bay and the Egyptian Theatre was, and is, one of my favorite places! Saturday afternoon matinees with admission of canned goods or bread wrappers was a family tradition. The movies I saw represent a timeline of my childhood years: 101 Dalmatians (the original) LOL, Wait Until Dark with Audrey Hepburn (one of the scariest scenes ever!) and Catch 22, challenging my teen self with moral dilemmas. I credit the theatre with my lifelong fascination of all things Egypt.
Aging parents brought me back to Coos Bay and we have retired here. I feel blessed to be back home and want to offer my time and energy to helping preserve the Egyptian Theatre as the community treasure it is. See ya at the movies!
The Egyptian Theatre Preservation Association (ETPA) is a non-profit organization registered in the State of Oregon. It is registered as a non-profit association with membership. As such, the Board of Directors of the ETPA is elected by its members.
Role of the Directors
The role of the Board of Directors is to provide overall direction, guidance and oversight to the ETPA to ensure that the Mission and Vision of the ETPA is fulfilled and that the ETPA operates in a manner that is fiscally responsible, meets the requirements laid out in its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, and is consistent with the laws of the State of Oregon. Establishing overall Theatre policies, fundraising for restoration/renovation, and connection with the greater Coos Bay area community we serve are key roles of Directors. The day-to-day direction and management of the Egyptian Theatre is the responsibility of the Administrative Director and Theatre “House” Manager who answer to the Board of Directors and it’s Officers.
Additional information about the roles and responsibilities of a Director is provided by the State of Oregon:
http://www.doj.state.or.us/charigroup/pages/tipsbrd.aspx
The ETPA Board normally meets one evening each month and Directors are expected to participate on various committees that deal with aspects of the ETPA’s operation. Directors are normally elected to 3 year terms, though terms can be as short as 2 years or as long as 4 years if adjusted term lengths are needed to balance the number of Directors whose positions are up for election each year. By the ETPA’s approved bylaws, the Board can consist of a minimum of 5 Directors to a maximum of 23. The board size is normally kept between 12 and 15 elected Directors. Since the Egyptian Theatre is owned by the Coos Bay Urban Renewal Agency, the City of Coos Bay can appoint up to 3 representatives to serve as ex-officio (non-voting) members of the ETPA Board.
Directors do not have term limits. They can serve on the ETPA Board for an indefinite period of time so long as they are re-elected to the Board by the ETPA membership at the expiration of their normal 3 year term.
Election of Directors
Directors are elected by the ETPA membership in the 4th quarter of each year with Directors that are elected taking office on January 1 of the following year. Election takes place through a secret ballot that is conducted either at the ETPA’s annual meeting, through mailed ballot, or through e-mailed ballot. Though a recommended slate of Director nominees is normally presented by the Board, any ETPA member in good standing can stand for election as an ETPA Director. To be elected as a Director an individual must receive a majority of the votes cast in that year’s election. ETPA members can choose to cast their votes to elect the full recommended slate of Directors nominated or can choose to vote for or against any individual Director candidate be they recommended for election by the current Board or standing on their own for election.
In the 3rd quarter of each year, normally in July or August, the Board solicits nominees for Director from its membership. Any ETPA member in good standing can ask to be considered for Board membership. Candidates are asked to submit their resume to the Nominating Committee of the ETPA Board, which is normally chaired by the immediate past President of the ETPA and consists of both Directors and non-Director ETPA members. The Nominating Committee checks the background and resume of each candidate to assure that they are ETPA members in good standing, possess the qualifications required of the position, are of “good character” to represent the ETPA well if elected, and assess what special skills each candidate can bring to the Board to strengthen it as a team.
In August or September, the Nominating Committee presents the candidates for election as Director to the full Board. To promote healthy change and a diversity of thought, the Nominating Committee is encouraged, though not required, to have 25% percent or more of its candidates be individuals who have not held an ETPA Director position before. Though all candidates meeting minimum requirements are presented to the ETPA membership during the election, the full Board votes on the slate of Directors they wish to recommend to our membership for election. Their decision is based upon the size Board they wish to have (within the minimum and maximum specified in our bylaws), the skills they would like to add to the Board to complement those continuing on the Board, and the needs of the ETPA in the immediate future.
In special circumstances, such as an existing Director resigning or the Board desiring to bring aboard Directors with specific skills or affiliations that would be beneficial to effective functioning of the Board, the Board can recruit and elect qualified individuals to join the Board as Directors without election by our full membership. Directors so elected, however, have their Director positions expire at the end of the calendar year in which they were brought onto the Board. To continue as Directors beyond this time, they must be re-elected as Directors by the full ETPA membership.
Election of Officers
ETPA Officers include the President, up to three Vice Presidents, the Treasurer and the Board Secretary. Officers serve for 2 year terms. Officers can only serve 2 consecutive terms (4 years total) before they must relinquish their position for at least one term. With the exception of the Board Secretary, all Officers must be Directors that have been elected by the ETPA membership. The Board elects their own officers.