Who we are
Staff
![](https://www.best-oregon.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Rob-Zako-2-1-200x200.jpg)
Rob Zako
Executive Director
Rob Zako has been working for the last twenty-five years on transportation, land use, and climate change issues. He is…
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Claire Roth
Program Manager
Claire began her position as Safe Streets Coordinator in September 2018, coordinating BEST’s advocacy efforts to enhance walking and biking…
Interns
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Rosemary Betros
Policy Analysis Intern
Rosemary is a second-year master’s student in Community and Regional Planning at the University of Oregon. She bought her first…
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Caitlin Donnelly
Policy Analysis Intern
Caitlin (she/her/hers) is finishing up her second and final year as a Master’s of Community and Regional Planning student at…
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Clara Kaplan
Graphics Intern
Clara (She/Her/Hers) is a junior at the University of Oregon studying Sociology, Public Policy, and Comic and Cartoon Studies. Her…
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Carolina Stewart
Development Intern
Carolina began working for BEST in 2023. She is a Master’s of Nonprofit Management student at the University of Oregon,…
Board of Directors
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Marianne Nolte
President
Marianne is a former BEST employee, and now works in Lane County’s land management department. She holds a masters degree…
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Jennifer Hayward
Secretary
Jennifer has worked at Lane Community College for 23 years holding positions including Recycling Coordinator and Sustainability Coordinator. Her current position…
![Rachel McCoy](https://www.best-oregon.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/unnamed-200x200.jpg)
Rachel McCoy
Treasurer
Rachel has been a happy Eugene resident for the last 18 years by way of Massachusetts, Montana, and a brief…
![Steve Bade](https://www.best-oregon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Steve-B-for-BEST-Directors-page-200x200.png)
Steve Bade
Steve is a 15-plus-year resident of Eugene, and to try “to be the world you want to see” served two…
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Michael DeLuise
Now retired, Mike served as chair of the Downtown Neighborhood Association and was a member of the Eugene Active Transportation…
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Tiffany Edwards
Tiffany Edwards is currently the Vice President of Policy & Community Development for the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. From…
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Betsy Hunter
Betsy Hunter has a lengthy background in real estate development that promotes housing affordability and economic development. She has directed…