Oregon Conference Trust Services - Meet the Department

Trust Services

Meet the Trust Services Department

Ralph Neidigh Director - Planned Giving Consultant Ralph joined the department in 2005 from 34 years of pastoral ministry, most recently in Tillamook. He became department director in 2006. Ralph serves as Secretary for the Western Oregon Conference Association and as planned giving consultant for the north coast and central Oregon areas. He is certified as a trust officer by the General Conference. Ralph enjoys remodeling his home and maintaining his yard, working on cars, reading, and a little golf - a duffer!
John Rogers Association Treasurer John has been our financial guru since1999, when he weaned himself from the North Pacific Union Treasury Department. John offers expert and friendly service, accounting for all Association and Trust Services assets and investments. In his spare time, he enjoys his three young children, camping, and model railroading – you should see his setup!
Herald Follett Legal Counsel Herald, it seems, has always been involved in the Planned Giving and Trust Services department, even though his legal career has involved him on behalf of other charitable organizations, including some in Russia. A former Director of our department, we rely on Herald for advice on many aspects of our work.
Glen Gessele Planned Giving Consultant Glen joined the department in 1993, coming from a pastorate of seven years in Hillsboro. He has served Washington, Yamhill and Polk counties, as well as the southern part of the Oregon Conference from Klamath Falls to the coast since then. He is also certified as a trust officer by the General Conference. Glen is always ready to answer your planned giving questions with a smile - and perhaps, a story from North Dakota! He enjoys gardening, bird watching, insects, and butterflies.
David Schmidt Planned Giving Consultant David joined the department in 1999, after a ten-year pastorate in East Salem. He serves Clackamas County and the Willamette valley area. David is certified as a trust officer by the General Conference. His warm pastoral approach is always welcomed. David’s favorite free-time activities include snow skiing, 4-wheeling, reading, running, and singing in the Oregon Adventist Men’s Chorus.
Rudy Salazar Planned Giving Consultant Rudy joined the department in 2008, after serving as the Gresham church pastor for part of his 22 years of ministry. He serves Southwest Washington, Multnomah County and up the Gorge. Rudy is certified as a trust officer by the General Conference. His fluency in Spanish helps him assist our Hispanic church members. Rudy enjoys hiking, swimming and eating a hot spicy Mexican dish. Feel free to stop at his office and practice your Spanish with him!
Ivalee Clark Administrative & Legal Assistant Ivalee came to the department in 1994, after working at the North Pacific Union Office for over 20 years – she says she started very young! Her major responsibilities are as legal assistant to the department legal counsel and the attorneys who provide our estate documents, and her work as an administrative assistant for consultant Glen Gessele. When Ivalee has free time, she hikes, watches birds, skis cross country and sews.
Janet Nagele Administrative Assistant Janet joined the Trust Department part-time in 1996. Janet’s major responsibilities are as administrative assistant for consultant Rudy Salazar, and management of our trust and will files – keeping them in compliance with the Standards of the General Conference accreditation of our department. Janet spends her time away from the office with her grandchildren, aerobics, and travel.
Toni Woods Administrative Assistant Toni came to the department in 2007 from the Walla Walla Alumni Center. She is our department receptionist. Her major responsibilities are as administrative assistant for the department director and legal counsel, and administrative assistant for consultants David Schmidt and Ralph Neidigh. Besides maid service for her dogs Rocky and Lucy, Toni enjoys sewing, reading, traveling, and building relationships with her family and friends.
Mary Jane Zollbrecht Junior Accountant & Financial Records Mary Jane wears two hats for the Oregon Conference. The first is as assistant for treasurer, John Rogers, which includes a myriad of accounting details. She is also the membership clerk for the Oregon Conference, and assists local church clerks with their membership records. She has worked in the department since 2005. Her free time involves ministry with her pastor husband, and all kinds of sewing arts – she even owns a quilting machine!