TKO’s first staff person, stewardship first

Steve Kruger becomes TKO’s first staff person July 1st, 2017. Through a capacity grant from REI Portland, Steve began his work in a part-time, 6-month duration. When certain benchmarks in fundraising and grants were achieved, TKO hoped his position would move into a full-time role sometime in 2008. He was a TKO Board Advisor since 2011 with 10 years experience with Oregon State Parks and joined as a TKO Board member in 2016. A Park Manager with Oregon State Park on the east end of the Columbia Gorge in early 2016, he was inspired by partnering on an American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacation with TKO and joined the Board that year. With outdoor recreation being recognized as a economic driver in the state, now was the time for TKO to embark in bringing on paid staff for the first time.