FOREST GROVE, Ore. – The Rotary Club of Forest Grove continues to grow with the addition of five new members in November and December.

Jessica Lynch and Hector Mendez-Colberg were inducted as members during the club’s November 17 meeting. Both are active members of the club’s satellite branch.

Erika Plunkett, Lynne Tynan and Cortland Jones were inducted during the club’s online meeting on December 22. All three are joining with the intent to be active in the club’s new cause-based satellite branch, which will be chartered in the near future.

Membership in the Rotary Club of Forest Grove is open to all who wish to make a difference not only in the local communities of Forest Grove, Banks, Gaston and Cornelius, but also across the world through Rotary International. To learn more about how to become a member, please visit fgrotary.org or contact club membership chair Julia Kollar, juliakollar@aol.com.

ABOUT OUR NEW MEMBERS
Jessica Lynch is the co-owner of a private optometry practice in Orenco, Vivid Eye Care. A Montana native, Jessica is a graduate of North Dakota State University and the Pacific University College of Optometry. In addition to her practice, Jessica is active on the board of directors of Enfoque Ixcán, a non-profit that provides eye care in Guatemala. Jessica is married with four adult children and loves to cook.

Hector Mendez-Colberg is a process manager with Intel. A native of Puerto Rico, Hector learned about Rotary through his grandfather who was a distinguished member of his local Rotary Club in Añasco. Hector’s grandfather offered the club’s clubhouse for their martial arts classes, which led to an interest in Rotary. He eventually re-established the Interact Club in Añasco and became club president.

Hector graduated from the University of Puerto Rico in 2008 and received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering and materials science from UPR in 2015. He married his wife, Ziara, in 2015 and they have two children, Helena and Gustavo. They moved to Hillsboro to join Intel in 2016. In his spare time, Hector continues to follow his childhood interests of technology, music and science.

Erika Plunkett has spent the last several years as an independent consultant in the international nonprofit sector supporting businesses, philanthropists, and nonprofits as they develop and grow. Her goal is to challenge the status quo of corporate giving and to implement strategies and abstract ideas that invigorate the philanthropic realm. In addition to consulting, Erika has worked closely with marginalized and underserved communities in the United States, both professionally and personally, giving her a passion for equity and advocacy.

She is a “humanitarian innovator” who seeks to implement creative solutions to challenges in developing countries. She strongly believes that everyone, regardless of social or economic status, should have opportunities to learn and access to a good education.

This passion led to the co-founding in 2018 of Ama International Inc, a 501(c)3 registered nonprofit focusing on poverty reduction through prevention, provision, education, and action in Mexico. Ama serves as a bridge for the vulnerable by forming long-term partnerships with local leaders in underserved communities to establish projects and initiatives that will positively impact families and offer communities a brighter future.

Erika envisions a world where our differences don’t divide us but rather inspire us; a world made up of global citizens motivated by generosity; a world of ama sin fronteras (love without borders).

Lynne Tynan is a passionate co-founder of Kilkenny Consulting, I Love Travel, LLC and the newest humanitarian non-profit, I Love Travel Missions, Inc.  Her fervor for justice, travel, and missions, as well as her extensive background in legal affairs has led her to not only co-found these organizations but be an active part in volunteering both locally and overseas. This, coupled with her heart for empowering individuals, educating others, and impact on a global scale has moved her to the soon-coming launch of Revolt 35, which will feature products created by artists and people groups from around the globe.

Lynne resides in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana where she was born and raised. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, the outdoors, and spending time with friends and family both near and far.

Cortland Jones is the co-founder of I Love Travel Missions, a non-profit that unites people, empowering them to make an impact through supporting innovative programs that create sustainable solutions to eradicate poverty. In addition to operating this incredible non-profit, she is a think tank facilitator, and a serial social impact entrepreneur. Cortland revels in helping people discover their purpose and enjoys listening to the ideas of great minds, assisting them in taking their ideas from concept to fruition.

Cortland worked as a project manager in the tech industry for over 15 years until transitioning full time into her travel company where she has over 10 years of experience providing international event and travel services. Together with her amazing teams, she manages I Love Travel, I Love Travel Missions and pursues other human-centered business ventures.

Outside of her professional grind, Cortland is an avid traveler, and food enthusiast who enjoys exploring the world, seeing all it has to offer through the places, experiences, and people she encounters. Being married for 15 years with one son has proven to be one of her greatest accomplishments and adventures to date. Cortland strives to see the world through rose-colored glasses and encourages others to follow her life motto to love more, honor always, seek unity and to respect regardless.