Our Team

Event Specialists

 

 

Alyssa Tolman

Alyssa has been with Abernethy Center since 2010. She truly loves to help clients celebrate their momentous occasions. She brings her attention to detail, creative energy, and love for event planning to all those who share one of the most important days of their lives with her. In addition to event coordination, Alyssa writes the Abernethy Center Blog. She enjoys researching what's new in the wedding world and sharing it with her readers. Alyssa grew up in the Northwest and fell in love with the great outdoors at a young age. When she is not planning "life's biggest moments" she is hiking, biking, going to live concerts, playing board games, and cooking delicious vegetarian food.

 

Elizabeth Fowler

Elizabeth has been with Abernethy Center since 2003. During her tenure, she has truly enjoyed watching Abernethy Center grow into the venue it is today. As a Senior Event Specialist she treasures having a job that allows her to be a part of one of the most special days in someone's life. Elizabeth attended Whitman College and later transferred to Portland State University, where she graduated with a double major in marketing and information systems. While attending Portland State, Elizabeth was the coordinator of the university's Outdoor Program where she helped lead groups of students on outdoor adventure trips. In her free time, Elizabeth loves to travel. A few of her fondest travel memories include two trips to Japan and a vacation to China just before the Beijing Olympics. She once traveled to Hawaii with just a backpack and ended up living on the Big Island for six months! Elizabeth also enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking, white water rafting, playing with her dog Luna, golfing, barbecuing, and shooting pool. She is quite the opponent as she previously played on a pool team that made it to Nationals!

 

Laura Hunter

Laura has been working in the event industry since 2007; and after she planned her own wedding in 2009, she has been enamoured with weddings. She feels privileged to be a part of planning the celebration that joins two people for the beginning of their lifelong journey together. Laura grew up in Sacramento, California; and graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 2008. She has a love for traveling and her travels include living in Hawaii as a surf instructor, eating sushi in Tokyo, glacier walking in Alaska, kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland and watching the sunrise from the top of Machu Picchu, Peru. She has settled down in Portland where she now resides with her husband and their dogs, Fred and Samson.

 

Ceremony Specialists

 

Ashley Dickinson

Ashley has been with Abernethy Center since 2011 and she truly loves working with couples on their big day! She enjoys seeing the excitement in the eyes of her clients as the wedding day unfolds. Ashley is currently pursuing a degree through Portland State University. She brings her attention to detail and positive attitude to all she is involved with, including volunteer work with Molalla Youth Sports and Winners on Wheels. Ashley enjoys reading, hiking, camping and spending time with her family and friends.

 

Janelle Jones

Janelle has been with Abernethy Center since 2010. She finds it a blessing to be a part of a couple's special day and to make every detail as perfect as they have always imagined it. Her favorite part is to watch the guests' expressions as they turn to watch the bride walk down the aisle. Janelle has a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science from Pacific University and is currently working on her Masters in Occupational Therapy. When she is not working or going to school, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves outdoor activities such as running, snowboarding and hiking, as well as, crafting activities such as card-making and scrap booking.

 

 

Jill Rutherford

Jill has been with Abernethy Center since 2010. She finds it magical to be involved with people as they celebrate one of the happiest and most memorable days of their lives. While she enjoys many moments of a wedding day, she truly appreciates witnessing the huge open arms and circle of support that wraps itself around the loving couple as they say, "I do." Jill has over 9 years of event experience and has worked for a variety of venues including Ainsworth House & Gardens, Oregon Historical Society and the Museum of Oregon Territory. Her educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in Business from the University of Oregon and an Oregon teaching license from Oregon State University. She enjoys spending time with her family camping, fishing at the lake, running with her kids and baking.

 

 

Event Managers

 

Megan Moore

Megan has been with Abernethy Center since 2010. She loves being a part of a team that works together to accomplish the goal of executing a smooth event. She finds it incredibly rewarding to watch the Bride and Groom leave after their wedding with smiles, knowing that she was a part of creating one of their most memorable events in their lives. In her free time Megan loves to be outside exploring the world – hiking, playing at the beach and taking walks downtown. She also enjoys being at home cooking or having tea with friends and family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 All images by Holland Studios