The Rotary Club of Forest Grove’s three newest members and their sponsors. From left: Virginia Ohler (sponsor of Steve Mann), Janet Peters (sponsor of Claire Agner), Membership Chair Evelyn Orr, President Any Tracewell, Claire Agner, Steve Mann, Cole Thursam and Melinda Fischer (sponsor of Cole Thursam).

FOREST GROVE, Ore. (Aug. 26, 2023) – The Rotary Club of Forest Grove is excited to introduce its three newest members: Claire Agner, Steve Mann and Cole Thursam.

The trio was inducted into the club during a ceremony on August 23 during the club’s regular weekly meeting at the Cornelius Public Library. With the addition of Claire, Steve and Cole, club membership stands at 82 active members.

Claire Agner is a native Oregonian, born in La Grande and living for most of her life in the Portland area. A graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in horticulture, Claire’s early career included work as a timber cruiser, Christmas tree planter, inventory control specialist, chemical consultant, order control specialist and a proofreader for a garden products company. She closed her professional career at Intel, ultimately working her way up to archive administrator and project coordinator.

In addition to involvement in the community, Claire enjoys puns (both good ones and bad ones), animals, details, music of the 40s, 50s and 60s; and kayaking. She was sponsored for membership by Janet Peters.

Steve Mann grew up in California’s San Fernando Valley. A graduate of Biola University with a degree in Christian education, Steve and his wife, Kolleen, moved to Forest Grove right after graduation. He spent much of the next two decades as a youth minister for the Forest Grove Foursquare Church. Steve became the lead pastor of the church in 2013. In 2022, Steve stepped back from pastor work and began his role as the relationship manager for West Tuality Habitat for Humanity. He also serves the organization as affiliate chaplain.

Mann and his wife had two boys and two girls. He loves to spend time with his family, all of whom enjoy the outdoors. He has a dream of raising up a volunteering movement, uniting people to give back and raise up our community through helping those in need. Steve was sponsored for membership by Virginia Ohler.

Cole Thursam was born in 2000 in Forest Grove and is employed as a realtor with John L. Scott Realty, where he partners with his mother, Patty. Growing up, Cole was lucky enough to travel to 17 countries, from China to Mexico. When not helping people buy and sell homes, Cole’s biggest passions are computers, snowboarding and cars. If anyone is looking to sell a well-maintained V8 for cheap, he is interested. Cole was sponsored for membership by Melinda Fischer.

ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF FOREST GROVE: Established in 1924, the Rotary Club of Forest Grove is one of the oldest and largest Rotary clubs in the Portland metropolitan area.  Serving the communities of Forest Grove, Banks, Cornelius and Gaston, the Rotary Club of Forest Grove is a dynamic group of civic-minded business and community leaders, linked by Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.” The Rotary Club of Forest Grove is dedicated to helping make our local communities a better place to live through the funding of local organizations, especially those focusing on youth, and through service in local projects. Membership in the Rotary Club of Forest Grove is open to anyone who wishes to make a difference in their community, and the world, through service. To learn more, visit FGRotary.org.