Who We Are
The Friends of Monte Rio (FoMR) was founded in 2010 by Peter Andrews, Rhian Miller and Mike Murphy, for the purpose of creating and offering no and low cost programs to the wide river community, in partnership with the Monte Rio Recreation and Parks District.
Board of Directors
Rhian Miller
President
I became a member of the Monte Rio community in 2008, when my husband and I bought our very first (and last) house here. A notice in the local paper caught my attention and resulted in my becoming a founding member and longtime board member of The Friends of Monte Rio, which makes life here along the Russian River so much more rewarding and interesting. I also spend time working on various projects as a freelance tv and radio producer, often in collaboration with KRCB, our North Bay public media station.
Franceen Levy
Treasurer
I became involved with Friends of Monte Rio in 2011. I have lived in Monte Rio since 1978 and over the years have seen the increased focus on tourism and less on resources for the local population. I liked their mission statement and desire to collaborate with the Monte Rio Recreation & Park District to bring more events and programs to the Community Center. I moved to San Francisco from Philadelphia in 1967 and moved to the Russian River in 1973. I worked at River to Coast Children’s Services in Guerneville for 25 years.
Rose O’Connor
Secretary
A San Francisco native, Rose and her husband arrived in Monte Rio in January, 2020. They enjoyed a few FOMR events before Covid shut everything down. After two years without Game Night, Film Night and Supper Club, Rose is eager to support the rebuilding of FOMR’s calendar of events.
Damien Olsen
Board Member
I made my way from Vermont to Berkeley in 1989 and shortly thereafter the winds of whimsy whisked me to scenic Monte Rio ~ which I've seldom felt the need to venture very far from…unless a must-see band is playing. I am an avid drummer, actor and radio D.J. I collect books, beads, rocks and if you have time to spare, ask me about my record collection. My volunteer commitments currently include board membership at KOWS FM 92.5 Occidental and River Friends of the library and I am also regularly engaged with the Forests Unlimited project and at local sites with the Redwood Empire Food Bank. You may have heard my P.A. system over the last decade or so at the car show, 4th of July on the beach, RioFest, or your neighbor’s swell dance party. I tend to be the first to arrive and ideally don’t finish until the last bottle cap is picked up. But if it was some modern jive past 10 pm? I doubt it was me, I am a fellow who appreciates peace and quiet and welcomes the frog and cricket chorus in its due time.Actually, yes-this baseball hat is from Bohemian Grove…that’s a whole ‘nother chapter…and not one I tend to opine about on the internet. If you have an idea or suggestion about future events or programs, I'm all ears.
Megan Gatlin
Board Member
Megan has 10+ years of experience founding and scaling international business operations across emerging technologies including digital and mobile advertising, cannabis and SaaS. She moved from San Francisco to Monte Rio in 2020, and soon thereafter realized she wanted to get involved with FoMR in 2021 after attending the first annual RioFest. Megan hopes her skills in business and tech, combined with her knack for bringing people together, will positively impact the community of Monte Rio.
