Officers

Arleen R M Hubble, Immediate Past-President

Arleen was born in Longview, have moved between Longview, Astoria, Sweden, and back again to Longview. She went to school at LCC before getting her first job at The Daily News as a proofreader and moving up the ranks to become a salesperson. Retiring after 42 years, Arleen has organized the Christmas Parade for over 30 years, organized the Go 4th Festival parade, and now is the director of the Go 4th Festival. She also talks to individuals going thru Breast Cancer and has helped with the annual Breast Cancer Fashion Show. Arleen has also worked on the annual hospital gala for many years. She truly loves Longview and says, “Longview has been good to me, and I enjoy giving back.”

 

Jeff Wilson, President

Jeff moved to Longview in 1969 from Portland with his parents to settle into the Longview lifestyle.  He graduated from Mark Morris High School in 1978 and attended Western Washington University where he studied history and business.  Jeff and his wife Trish have two children who were both born and raised here. 

For many years Jeff has owned and operated several businesses and today serves as Commission President at the Port of Longview.  Preserving local history, including the Longview 1923 Shay locomotive, is a passionate pastime that he and his family share together!

 

 

Helene Watson, 1st Vice President

Helene’s mother moved to Longview from Illinois in 1945 to join her father who already lived here.  Helene attended grade school through high school at Longview public schools graduating from R.A. Long in 1961.  After traveling throughout the United States as a Navy wife, in 1975 she decided to return to Longview and raise her three children.  She was first employed by Joan’s Jewelry as an engraver, then at Rainier Bank, advancing to the position of Branch Asst. Supervisor.  She soon decided it was time to further her education at L.C.C. and ultimately accepted a part time position in the purchasing department.  When a call came from Longview Fibre in 1986 to join their purchasing department as a full time employee she accepted.  She worked at Longview Fibre for the next 20 years until she retired in 2006.  She married her husband Jim in 1988 and they have spent their retirement years traveling.  She has also kept busy being involved in the R.A. Long Alumni Association and as Event Coordinator for the R.A. Long High School Hall of Fame.

Abe Ott, 2nd Vice President

Beth Wills, Secretary/Treasurer

Don Wiitala, Historian

Don and his wife Dawn moved to Longview from Montana in 1972 and decided Longview would be home. He started as a teacher Mark Morris High School and retired as principal in 2002.  Longview is a big city compared to where he grew up and it is just the right size and has a lot to offer.

After graduating in the top ten of his high school class (there were only 10!) in Montana, he went to Montana State University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree and a commission in the U.S. Army through the ROTC program.  He spent three years on active duty in Germany and Vietnam and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Army Reserve after 20 years.

While teaching he earned a Master’s degree at Portland State.  After retirement he became involved in making websites.