Frank Squillo - President

Frank has enjoyed a long and successful career in entertainment, spending nearly 40 years as a radio host in major markets like Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Dallas, and New York City—most of those years hosting his morning radio show. He later expanded into television, hosting a nationally syndicated dating show for four seasons with Warner Brothers Television in Los Angeles. After retiring from radio, Frank founded a media company in Dallas, where he produced, directed, and consulted on numerous audio and video podcast projects.

His passion for live theatrical performances dates back to his college years, where he was actively involved in theater both on and behind the stage.

Since moving to the Oregon coast in 2018, Frank has become a key part of Riverbend Players. He joined the board of directors in 2020, serving as a member at large, vice president, and now as board president. He also chairs the Marketing Committee, has performed in multiple productions, and has directed shows including Arsenic and Old Lace (2022), It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play (2022), 12 Angry Jurors (2023), A Christmas Story (2023), The Play That Goes Wrong (2024), It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play (2024), Sordid Lives (2025) and The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon (2025).

Frank lives in Manzanita with his husband, Patrick Conner—a frequent Riverbend Players set designer and board member—and their two daughters. They also own and operate Wanda’s Café + Bakery in Nehalem. In addition to his theater work, Frank serves as Vice Chair of the Manzanita Planning Commission, helping shape the future of our community.

Juli Stratton - Vice President

Juli Stratton's journey is one of impactful versatility. From Illinois roots spanning rural life and the city of Chicago to a standout basketball career and degrees in Physical Education and Counseling,

Juli has consistently pursued paths of service and passion. She founded a women's basketball program, worked in social work and law, and became a dedicated advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Now a Manzanita resident, Juli channels her love for teamwork into community fitness, leading Tai Chi by the Sea and the vibrant theater world with Riverbend Players.

As Vice President of the Riverbend Players Board, she brings characters to life on stage and strengthens the community behind the scenes.

Juli shares her life with her wife, Amy, and their pets, Brandy and Toby. Discover more about her Tai Chi group and her podcast at www.jstratton.com.

Janet Stinson - Secretary

With a background as both an actor in radio productions, including FRANKENSTEIN: THE RADIO PLAY, and as a stage manager for productions, including A CHRISTMAS STORY and CRIMES OF THE HEART, Janet's passion lies in the behind-the-scenes intricacies of theater.

Leveraging her retired elementary school reading specialist expertise, she brings impeccable organizational skills to ensure seamless production operations.

Beyond her theater involvement, Janet actively contributes to the Lower Nehalem Community Trust's Education Committee and volunteers her instructional abilities at Nehalem Elementary School.

Janet strongly advocates for live theater's ability to captivate and enlighten community members through the powerful stories shared on stage.

Janet and her husband, Bill, are deeply rooted in the coastal community of Manzanita. Bill contributes his musical talents as a cellist with the North Oregon Coast Symphony. They have called Manzanita home for a decade and recently transitioned to full-time residency, immersing themselves fully in the vibrant coastal lifestyle.

Jane Harris - Treasurer

Jane retired to the Oregon Coast after a career in nonprofit management. She began her career in the Bay Area as Director of Education for the American Cancer Society and moved on to work for the City of Palo Alto as the Administrator of the Human Services Division.

With a move to Portland Jane was fortunate to find work in a field focused on her passion for the environment as the Associate Director of the Oregon Environmental Council and later as Director of Philanthropy for Friends of the Columbia Gorge where she lead successful fundraising campaigns that lead to the establishment of the organization’s Land Trust program and the purchase of hundreds of acres of Gorge land that is now permanently protected.

Jane’s focus on the board is fiscal management, but her degrees in Literature and Art History and her experience throughout Silicon Valley in community theater productions supports all aspects of our board’s work and responsibilities.

Mark Bartrom

Mark got involved with Riverbend Players as an actor in the 2021 version of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: THE RADIO PLAY. He has since gone on to perform in several more productions and assisting in the building and deconstructing of production sets.

After graduating from Indiana University Medical Center, Mark spent several years in the psychiatric field conducting group therapy. He was also a longtime patient rights advocate and spent time in risk management.

Mark and his husband, Robert, are members of the Riverbend Players Marketing Committee. They moved to Manzanita in early 2021 and described living here as paradise. Mark had always wanted to return to the West Coast, having left southern California many years ago.

Linda Makohon - Member at Large

After retiring from teaching, Linda became involved with Riverbend Players when she moved to Manzanita in 2010. At that time, Riverbend Players performed reader's theater in the Fireside Room at NCRD.

When Riverbend Players became a full-fledged nonprofit in 2016, Linda was one of the original board members and has served the board in various capacities since.

Linda’s been involved in nearly 20 productions and is proud to have helped our community theater group grow to perform fully staged plays and to have cooperated with NCRD to help fund the theater's extensive renovations in 2015.

Linda Petersen - Member at Large

Linda's love for the arts extends far beyond the stage lights. While she joined the Riverbend Players Board of Directors in 2016, the year the theater transitioned to a non-profit, it was the production of VINTAGE HITCHCOCK in 2017 that truly ignited her passion for performing. Since then, she's embraced countless opportunities onstage, from acting and prompting to Foley sound effects and set creation.

But Linda's contributions reach far behind the curtain. She's donned various hats, including Stage Manager for "Arsenic and Old Lace," prompter for multiple productions, and props/set decorator for numerous productions.

This artistic passion translates into her professional background as well. Linda's degree in Interior Design proved to be the perfect springboard for assisting the Riverbend Players' Set Designer in crafting believable and immersive environments for the audience.

Outside the theater, Linda is an accomplished artist represented by Gallery 447 in Manzanita. She cherishes her life with her husband, Rudy, and their furry companion, Charlie.

Jessie Rose Hooker - Member at Large

Patrick Conner - Member at Large