About Us

The Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association (BWNA) is one of 95 officially recognized neighborhood associations that are part of Portland’s historic, nationally renowned tradition of local volunteer activism and involvement.

Membership in BWNA is open to all residents, non-resident property owners, government agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations located within the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood boundary. The BWNA boundary area, shown in the map, includes much of the Fremont and NE 42nd Avenue business districts, Beaumont Middle School, and Wilshire Park.

There are no dues or initiation fees required to be a member of BWNA or participate in its activities. Bimonthly general membership meetings are open to all and consider neighborhood concerns and allow neighbors to learn about various topics. An elected, all-volunteer board that plans activities and studies neighborhood issues also meets bimonthly, and those meetings also are open to all.

Mission Statement

The mission of BWNA is to enhance the livability of our neighborhood by undertaking various neighborhood improvement projects, examining local issues, and serving as a conduit for communication between neighbors, government agencies and officials, area businesses, and other neighborhood institutions and groups. We are committed to diversity and equity in all our activities. We work closely with the Beaumont Business Association and are allied with eight other nearby neighborhood associations through the Central Northeast Neighbors coalition.

BWNA produces a free bimonthly newsletter that is distributed to the doorsteps of over 2,600 neighborhood residences and businesses by volunteers. Advertisements by local merchants and organizations support the newsletter, which invites letters, editorials, articles, and announcements from neighbors. Our BWNA website complements the newsletter and provides additional information about BWNA and its activities and organization.

Inclusion Statement

The Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association (BWNA) is committed to diversity and equity in all our activities. We welcome and celebrate everyone in our neighborhood and, as per our longtime by-laws, condemn any form of discrimination, exclusion, or expression of hatred based on race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, legal citizenship, national origin, income, political affiliation, or any other basis of personal identity people might use to divide us.

Accordingly, we pledge:

To listen and learn, and to assess our own practices and policies in regards to equity and inclusion.
To seek advice in particular on how to combat racism in our neighborhood and our city, and welcome feedback that makes us better allies to our neighbors of color.
To develop ways we can confront discrimination and support cooperation among Beaumont-Wilshire neighbors.

Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association

Board of Directors

Al Ellis

President

Resident of Beaumont-Wilshire since: 1990
Board Member of BWNA since: 2007
Why I joined BWNA: "I decided to join the board because vacancies needed to be filled and because serving in a leadership role for the betterment of the neighborhood appealed to me. In my 16 years on the BWNA board, I’ve served as president, newsletter editor for 12 years, vice president, and now president once again. Déjà vu."
Contact: president@bwnapdx.org 503-287-0477

Tim Gillespie

Vice President

Resident of Beaumont-Wilshire since: 1979
Board Member of BWNA since: 2018
Why I joined BWNA: "I’ve always appreciated that C.E.S. Wood quote etched into the Skidmore Fountain downtown: 'Good citizens are the riches of a city.' I joined the board as a way to pitch in, be a useful neighbor, and strive toward good citizenship"
Contact: 503-287-6272

Karla Lenox

Treasurer

Resident of Beaumont-Wilshire since: 2008
Board Member of BWNA since: 2013
Why I joined BWNA: "I’m aware that Treasurer is not a job that just anyone has the background for or interest in, and I felt it would be a good fit for my skill set as an Accountant. I really had few excuses not to help out since the meetings are just around the corner from my house! I enjoy the work of the position, helping out with the events that BWNA puts on, and working with the great people on the board."
Contact: treasurer@bwnapdx.org 503-686-5915

Patti Koehler

Secretary

Resident of Beaumont-Wilshire since: 1990
Board Member of BWNA since: 2022
Why I joined BWNA: "Following retirement, I wanted to take a more active role in this neighborhood that I love. It's an honor to serve in whatever capacity I can to further improve communication, safety, accessibility, and hospitality for those who live here."
Contact: patricekoehler@gmail.com

Patty Nelson

Immediate Past President

Resident of Beaumont-Wilshire since: 1991
Board Member of BWNA since: 2021
Why I joined BWNA: "I joined the board because I love our neighborhood and our city and hope to contribute in a meaningful way to maintain our neighborhood character and livability, bring friends and neighbors together, and support our local businesses."
Contact: 503-281-8035

John Sandie

Board Member

Resident of Beaumont-Wilshire since: 2011
Board Member of BWNA since: 2012
Why I joined BWNA: "After finishing major house projects, I was looking for something to keep me active in retirement, and felt what better way to spend my time and energies then on local issues and improvements directly impacting the neighborhood around me."
Contact: 219-508-4162

Gary Hancock

Board Member

Resident of Beaumont-Wilshire since: 2008
Board Member of BWNA since: 2015
Why I joined BWNA: "I joined because of the issues of speeding, Wilshire Park improvements, and homelessness. We have made some improvements on Wilshire Park. We are still working on the other two."
Contact: outside503@aol.com

Aaron Breakstone

Board Member

Resident of Beaumont-Wilshire since: 2016
Board Member of BWNA since: 2022
Why I joined BWNA: "I joined the BWNA Board because I believe that citizen involvement at all levels is vital. My family and I love that our neighborhood has so much to offer within walking distance, from businesses and services that we frequent to schools and parks minutes from home."
Contact: abreaks@hotmail.com

Angela Frome

Board Member

Resident of Beaumont-Wilshire since: 2009
Board Member of BWNA since: 2022
Why I joined BWNA: "I have fond memories of growing up in the Cully and Beaumont Wilshire neighborhood and raised my own children in the community. I have been active with BWNA over the years with clean-up projects, home visiting for seniors and newsletter delivery. I look forward to ways I can continue to serve and build community with fellow neighbors. I am interested in neighborhood cleanup, aging in place, pedestrian and traffic safety."
Contact: angfrome@yahoo.com

Colin O'Neill

Board Member

Resident of Beaumont-Wilshire since: 2008
Board Member of BWNA since: 2022
Why I joined BWNA: "To become more connected with the neighborhood and to help preserve what makes it a great place to live."
Contact: colin@colinoneill.net

Susan Trabucco

Board Member & Newsletter Editor

Resident of Beaumont-Wilshire since: 2012
Board Member of BWNA since: 2022
Why I joined BWNA: "By serving on the board, together with my role as the BWNA newsletter editor, I hope to help foster a sense of connectedness among B-W neighbors, as well as doing my part to help make our neighborhood the best it can be."
Contact: editor@bwnapdx.org 503-440-7732

Rob Lee

Board Member

Resident of Beaumont-Wilshire since: 2020
Board Member of BWNA since: 2023
Why I joined BWNA: "When I moved to the neighborhood three years ago, I was surprised to find so much positive activity in Beaumont-Wilshire. I love our walkable neighborhood, and I’m a proponent of safe streets. I look forward to volunteering my time on the board."
Contact: swollentongue@gmail.com

Tim Root

Board Member

Resident of Beaumont-Wilshire since: 2007
Board Member of BWNA since: 2024
Why I joined BWNA: "I wish to focus on how we can support smart growth so the neighborhood character I love stays the same. I’m also interested in protecting all road users on our streets, supporting our local businesses, and supporting our police in relation to crime, theft, vandalism, and graffiti."
Contact: root.timothy@gmail.com

David Knowles

Board Member

Resident of Beaumont-Wilshire since: 1985
Board Member of BWNA since: 2024
Why I joined BWNA: "I hope to use my experience in transportation, land use, and politics to help our neighborhood and pay it forward for the next generation."
Contact: davidknowlespdx@gmail.com

Tom Cuppernull

Board Member

Resident of Beaumont-Wilshire since: 2021
Board Member of BWNA since: 2024
Why I joined BWNA: I’m thrilled to join the BWNA board! My partner Katie and I relocated to PDX after a 7-month road trip in 2021, during which we fell in love with Portland and Beaumont-Wilshire. Morning walks to Prince Coffee, picking up games at Puddletown, and taking my pup Oakley to Wilshire Park are some of my favorite B-W activities. I’m passionate about creating experiences that make people feel welcome and excited to live in this neighborhood, and I hope to leverage my background in event production, business strategy, and community management to make an impact. Originally from central New York, so…Go Bills!"
Contact: tcuppernull@gmail.com

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