Board Members

Term 2023-2027

Raised in Coos Bay, Mark W. Villers turned his love for the outdoors and diverse work experiences into a career of environmental stewardship. His company, Blue Ridge Timber Cutting, pioneers the practice of using whole trees to create fish habitat, a technique initiated under a 1996 government contract. Mark has executed over 500 such contracts, including inaugural projects in California and Washington. Despite acknowledging the impossibility of restoring past fish abundance, Mark relishes the witnessed uplift and guiding land users towards sustainable practices. His passion for environmental conservation drives his 15-year tenure on the Coos SWCD board.

Term: 2023-2027

Ernie Newton is the treasurer for the Coos Soil & Water Conservation District. He has been married to the love of his life, Mary Lou, for 56 years now. They have two sons, four grandchildren and two great granddaughters. Dee’s Market is one of the oldest running family-owned grocery stores in the area, Ernie and Mary Lou owned it for 21 years, working side by side making it a great place for locals and tourists to shop. Ernie retired a few years ago, after many years of service at the Myrtle Point Water Treatment Plant. He is a life-long car enthusiast and even though he has spent the last twenty years restoring old pick-up trucks, he is now taking full advantage of his retirement spending his days at his shop with all of the old trucks he has collected.

Term: 2025-2029

Adela New Villers, the representative of Zone 1 since 2015, brings a rich and diverse background to her role. Her early years were spent on hobby farms in Eastern Washington and Eastern Oregon, nurturing her connection with nature. This experience propelled her to attend Washington State University and Oregon State University, where she acquired her Bachelor’s and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees. Adela has been a resident of Coos County for 29 years, deeply immersed in its rural charm. She cherishes the country lifestyle with her beloved family and an assortment of animals, enjoying all that this close-knit community offers.

Term: 2023-2027

Cindy Gant, our dedicated Zone 2 director, has passionately served the Coos SWCD for four years, endorsing initiatives that protect and enhance the county's invaluable natural resources. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oregon State University, a foundation that guided her into a prosperous 26-year banking career. Subsequently, she lent her skills as an administrative assistant for 14 years. Now in her golden years, Cindy actively participates in her family business and cherishes the quality time spent with her parents and in- laws. When she's not working, Cindy's hobbies include travelling to exciting new places, tending her flourishing garden, hiking through nature, and enjoying tranquil walks.

Term: 2025-2028

A lifelong connection to Coquille has led Jonathan Morse to join the Coos Soil & Water Conservation District board as the Zone 3 Director, a role he officially began following his introduction at the February 4, 2025, meeting, and will hold until 2028. His formative years in Coquille involved running, hauling hay, and working on local farms during summer breaks. After marrying Cristy, another Coquille graduate, the couple ventured to the Portland area post-college, where Jonathan gained experience as a middle school teacher, house painter, and property manager. Their return to Coos County to raise their two sons rekindled Jonathan's passion for the land. Today, the family operates a stocker cattle program with a steadfast commitment to sustainable land stewardship. In his leisure time, Jonathan enjoys outdoor pursuits with his teenage sons, including fishing and offshore sailing, coaching a youth mountain bike team, and lending his voice to the Coos Singers choir, all while supporting Cristy in her work on various community organization boards. Together, the Morses embody a deep commitment to sustainable land stewardship, strengthening collaborative efforts throughout the region and building healthy community.