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.

Andy Bryant

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.

Gale Castillo

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.

Colin O’Brady

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.

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

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

2019 History Makers Dinner Generously Sponsored by:

PRESENTING SPONSORS

BENEFACTOR SPONSORS

TABLE SPONSORS

GIFTS in honor of the HISTORY MAKERS