History Makers

First awarded in 2009, the History Makers Medal is regarded as one of Oregon’s most prestigious honors and is presented annually by OHS to individuals and organizations that are positively shaping the history, culture, and landscape of Oregon.
The 2019 Oregon History Makers Medals were presented at a dinner at the historic Montgomery Park building in Portland on Sunday, October 6, 2019.
Proceeds from the History Makers Dinner support every aspect of the Oregon Historical Society’s important work to collect, preserve, and interpret Oregon’s past. Table sponsorships and individual tickets are available; for more information, please contact Molly Cochran at 503.306.5237 or molly.cochran@ohs.org.
The 2019 Oregon History Makers Medal recipients are:
Andy Bryant
Tech industry visionary
Andy’s nearly 40 year career at Intel, includes serving as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, and his current position as Chairman of the Board. Since establishing operations in Oregon in 1974, Intel has invested more than $40 billion in the state to develop advanced high-tech manufacturing capacity. Intel’s operations in Oregon are the company’s largest concentration of facilities and talent in the world.
Gale Castillo
Pathbreaking business and community leader
As the co-founder and long-time President of the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber (the largest Hispanic chamber in the Northwest) and the co-owner and President of Cascade Centers, Inc., one of the country’s largest privately held companies that provide Employee Assistance Programs, Gale has earned a reputation as one of Oregon’s most eloquent and effective voices for minority business development and the economic advancement of minority communities.
Colin O’Brady
Athlete, adventurer, educator
Colin O’Brady is an adventurer and explorer who made history in December 2018 as the first person to complete an unaided and unassisted solo crossing of Antarctica. In 2016, he conquered the “Explorers Grand Slam” in a world record shattering 139 days. In setting the record, Colin summited the tallest peak on each of the seven continents, including Mt. Everest, and skied the last degree to the North and South Poles.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival
World-renowned theater
Founded by Angus Bowmer in 1935, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is a nationally renowned theatre arts organization. OSF presents an eight-month season with annual attendance of nearly 400,000 that includes works by Shakespeare as well as a mix of classics, musicals, and world premieres. OSF’s commissioning programs have generated works that have been produced on Broadway and won Tony and Pulitzer awards.
Who are Oregon History Makers?
History Makers are contemporary individuals and organizations who have made a significant impact in their field of work or service during their lifetime. These individuals and organizations, with ties to Oregon, are making history through scientific discovery and exploration, innovation in business, communications, the arts, or service in their communities. Whether they were born here, lived here, or work here, Oregon History Makers represent the best of what the state has to offer.
Past History Makers
2009
Gert
Boyle visionary businesswoman
Dr.
Brian Druker innovative oncologist
Michael
Powell iconic bookseller
2010
David Adelsheim father of the Oregon wine industry
Jean Auel
best-selling author
Mercy Corps international charitable organization
Medical Teams International global human services organization
2011
Ken & Joan Austin innovative entrepreneurs
Allyn Ford timber industry leader
Dr. Albert Starr pioneering cardiovascular surgeon
Gus Van Sant award-winning film director
2012
Gerry Frank entrepreneur & public servant
Harry Glickman father of the Portland Trail Blazers
Kathryn Jones Harrison influential tribal leader
Norma Paulus ground-breaking legislator
2013
Bernie & Bobbie Foster trailblazing
publishers
Melvin "Pete" Mark businessman,
civic leader, & philanthropist
Pendleton Woolen Mills iconic Oregon business
Alberto Salazar legendary
distance runner & coach
2014
Thomas Lauderdale Oregon's musical ambassador to the world
Gov. Barbara Roberts pioneering public servant
Walter J. Urba, M.D. Ph.D. cancer warrior
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort golf as it was meant to be
2015
Ann Curry
broadcast journalist
Peggy Fowler glass ceiling breaker
George Puentes business executive & philanthropist
Les Schwab Tire Centers iconic Oregon business
2016
David Hume Kennerly photojournalist
Hoffman Construction largest general contractor in the Pacific
Northwest
Dr. Jane Lubchenco environmental scientist & marine ecologist
Phil Knight visionary business executive & philanthropist
2017
Dr. Nathalie Johnson surgical oncologist
Nicholas Kristof Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
Bill Schonely voice of the Portland Trail Blazers
Reser's Fine Foods iconic Oregon business
2018
Stacy Allison, adventurer, author, and businesswoman
Edward “Ed” Ray, transformational higher education leader
Bill Stoller, visionary business leader and philanthropist
Bob’s Red Mill, revolutionizing the food industry

2018 History Makers

2018 History Makers Gala

2018 History Makers Gala

2016 History Makers

2015 History Makers
George Puentes, Ann Curry, Peggy Fowler, Les Schwab Tire Centers

2014 History Makers
Thomas
Lauderdale

2014 History Makers
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Not shown: Gov. Barbara Roberts, Walter J. Urba, M.D., Ph.D.

2013 History Makers
Bernie & Bobbie Foster
Not shown: Melvin "Pete" Mark, Alberto Salazar, Pendleton Woolen Mills

2012 History Makers
Gerry Frank

2012 History Makers
Kathryn Jones Harrison

2012 History Makers
Norma Paulus
Not shown: Harry
Glickman

2011 History Makers
Ken
& Joan Austin

2011 History Makers
Allyn Ford

2011 History Makers
Gus Van Sant

2011 History Makers
Albert
Starr, M.D.

2010 History Makers
Jean Auel

2010 History Makers
David Adelshiem

2010 History Makers
Medical Teams International

2010 History Makers
Mercy Corps

2009 History Makers
Gert Boyle
Not shown: Brian
Druker, M.D., Michael
Powell