WWH Professional Staff

ADMINISTRATIVE

Dr. Ken Koenig, D.C., D.N.B.H.E., F.I.A.C.A., C.H.
President

A practitioner, lecturer, author, and political advocate in the field of natural health for over three decades. A regular presenter on the topic of current Good Manufacturing Practices and Quality Control & Assurance and their impact on the health care industry. He graduated cum laude majoring in chemistry and earned his doctorate from Western States Chiropractic College in 1987. Dr. Koenig is a Diplomate of the National Board of Homeopathic Examiners, Fellow of the International Academy of Clinical Acupuncture, and FIHM Certified Herbalist. He served as the Dean of Education and Executive Director of the National Board from 1993-1999. During 15 years in full-time private practice in Vail, Colorado, he embraced a vitalistic philosophy while practicing as a chiropractor, classical homeopath, acupuncturist, and herbalist. He maintains active licenses in Arizona and Colorado. A former competitive athlete, he remains active with cycling, telemark skiing and crossfit training. Wise Guy since 2002.

 

Patrish Meehan Koenig, MST, C.H.
Vice President & Director of Quality Assurance

Patrish Meehan Koenig earned her Bachelors in Science from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Science, with a concentration in Exercise Science, from Portland State University. She is a FIHM Certified Herbalist, regularly attends herbal conferences and is an avid gardener of ornamental and medicinal herbs. Patrish is well known in the spa and fitness industry as a former owner/operator of fitness studios and featured instructor throughout the U.S. and Asia. In conjunction with independent consultants she has spearheaded Wise Woman’s compliance and regulatory program since 2004. As Director of Quality Assurance she is in charge of implementing procedures for assuring continuous improvement and for maintaining the highest quality in accordance with WWH’s established high standards for product purity, integrity, and consistency. Wise Woman since 2002.

 

Dave Garland, C.H.
Quality Operations Manager

 Dave oversees production and packaging of products, from raw material to finished goods, under WWH’s strict compliance program. He is responsible for all operations related to the quality, manufacture and distribution of Wise Woman Herbals’ products and co-chairs the Quality Unit Team. Working in the botanical ingredient manufacturing industry for more than 25 years and as a result of the quality, technical and plant management positions he has held, Dave’s depth of knowledge is extensive in the realm of the FDA’s 21 CFR part 111 guidelines for the manufacture and distribution of botanical and dietary supplements. His keen interests in the production of high quality herbal supplements lead him to a certification in herbal medicine. A former U.S. Marine, business major and avid outdoorsman, Dave’s other interests include cooking, golf and exploring the mountains and rivers of Oregon. Wise Guy since 2009.

 

Jamie Nelson, C.H.
Production Lab Manager

As Wise Woman Herbals’ Production Laboratory Manager for nearly 15 years Jamie oversees the sourcing, auditing and qualification of WWH’s Organic, Biodynamic, Cultivated, and Wildcrafted raw materials and suppliers. She adheres to strict guidelines established in conjunction with WWH’s exceptional high standards, consistent with the American Herbal Products Association’s guidelines for sustainable plant harvesting and the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practices. She is the Quality Production Manager responsible for overseeing the entire production process: from sourcing quality ingredients to proper plant identification and testing, and as a guiding member of the Quality Unit and Organoleptic Testing Panel. Jamie is a FIHM Certified Herbalist and herbal enthusiast. As a longtime equestrian team member and coach she spends her free time evaluating the various stages of plants in their natural habitat throughout the growing season while riding horseback in the Willamette forest and along the Pacific coastline. Wise Woman since 1998.

 

Emily Gattis, C.H.
Order Fulfillment Lab Manager

As Order Fulfillment Laboratory Manager, Emily's responsibilities, expertise and full-time efforts are focused on maintaining a gold standard for quality assurance and control in equipment calibration, analytics, material handling, and packaged finished product management and distribution. She has many years of involvement in regular high-level trainings for adhering to established written standards of procedure and record keeping to assure product purity and consistency through the compounding, packaging and fulfillment phases of product handling. Emily is very capable with an easy-going nature and was in middle management in commercial gourmet food production prior to joining Wise Woman Herbals. As a devoted mother, she is always busy with arts & crafts, hiking, camping, cooking, and gardening. Emily is a Certified Herbalist, Willamette Valley native and very Wise Woman since 2007.   



K.T. Tucker, A.A.S.
QA/QC Documentation Specialist

She is a longstanding member of the WWH Quality Unit Team along with several years of involvement in regular high-level management trainings for adhering to established written standards of procedure and record keeping to assure product purity and consistency through the compounding, packaging and fulfillment phases of product handling. As a Northern Virginia native she studied liberal arts at Nova Community College. Prior to joining Wise Woman Herbals she worked in pediatric neuropsychology and international adoption. In addition to possessing an inquisitive mind and a thirst for knowledge, K.T. enjoys hiking, camping and being Supermom to her two children. Wise Woman since 2006.

 

Holli Oberst, B.S. C.H.
Analytical Laboratory Technician & Quality Assistant

Holli is a team member of our QA/QC Department where she performs identity testing via Near Inferred Spectra Analysis as well as microbial analysis of all WWH raw materials and finished products. Raised on a farm in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Holli grew up participating in 4H and other agricultural programs that sparked her interest in animal medicine, ecology and science. She graduated from Oregon State University, focusing in Science and English. Holli is a Certified Herbalist and continues to study biology, herbal and allopathic medicine, as well as paleontology. Wise Woman since 2010.  

 

 

Guy Kudlemyer, B.S.
Quality Assurance Technical Writer

A resident of Oregon for more than 40 years, Guy's background includes nearly 15 years in a Quality Control administrative position. Coming from an outside industry, his extensive knowledge of Quality Control issues and experiences benefits the Wise Woman team by providing a fresh set of eyes and insights into the WWH Quality Control processes. After graduating from the University of Oregon, Guy spent several years in the publishing field as a book page compositor, book interior designer, and a copyeditor/proofreader. Guy has spent more than two decades honing his writing skills, and is a published author, having had several dozen magazine articles published, as well as a book. Wise Guy since 2012.

 

 

CUSTOMER SERVICE & MARKETING

 

Cat Evans, B.S., C.H.
Customer Service Representative
 

Cat earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Portland State University. Prior to joining Wise Woman Herbals, she worked in both a holistic veterinary clinic and with a licensed acupuncturist. Through these clinical experiences she saw firsthand the benefits from recommending Wise Woman Herbals products and gained quite a bit of product knowledge along the way. Originally from Orlando, FL, she has always gravitated toward activities associated with health and wellness. Cat is a Certified Herbalist and extremely Wise Woman since 2011.

 

Mindy Charlton, B.A.
Customer Service Representative
 

Before becoming a resident of western Oregon in 2000, Mindy lived in British Columbia, Alaska, and California. Born in Vancouver, BC and raised on Silver Star Mountain, her extensive travels have given her a unique vantage point from which to engage in her Customer Service Rep duties. Add her pleasant demeanor and smiling voice to the fact that she has studied herbalism extensively with Collette Gardiner and has attended several herb conferences throughout the past decade; is a certified chef (degreed by the Okanagan University College); and a certified/credentialed Wine Taster; the result is a recipe for Customer Service excellence. Her many and varied hobby interests include cooking, pottery, and live music concerts. When the gray Oregon rain finally loosens its grip on the weather, you will find Mindy on her vintage cruiser bicycle taking advantage of spring's bountiful garden of organic vegetables and plant life at local farmers markets. Mindy creates her culinary specialties using fresh herbs from her garden and marvels at watching her cat Thumbelina harvest her own catnip! Wise Woman since 2012.

 

MATERIALS HANDLING

Ben Epperson 
Material Management & Inventory Control

Ben is in charge of inventory control, cycle counts, and tracking all raw materials and ingredients, consistent with the FDA  21 CFR Part 111 guidelines for cGMP facilities. The tracking process involves oversight for receiving and warehousing of materials and for in-process and finished product. Ben previously applied his skills and strong work ethic in a variety of business settings in customer service, warehousing, and inventory control. He is a member of WWH's Quality Unit and leads the Safety Committiee. As an outdoorsman and sports enthusiast, he is either following or participating in sports during his free time. Wise Guy since 2007.

 

OPERATIONS

Aubrey Berggren, C.H.
Order Fulfillment Laboratory Technician

Aubrey started working with Wise Woman Herbals® while in high school and as a result she developed a keen interest in plant medicine. She received training in phytochemical analysis and microbiological laboratory testing. Raised locally, she has a great appreciation for the native flora and after 2 focused years of studying in 2010 she became a certified herbalist. In her free time she values family and close friendships. Wise Woman since 2006. 

 

Dawn Walker
Order Fulfillment Specialist

Dawn's background includes extensive skills in customer service and stockroom management. Her attention to detail helps assure that Wise Woman Herbals customer orders are filled promptly and accurately, and are shipped in a timely fashion. When she's not providing her top-notch WWH Order Fulfillment services, Dawn enjoys watching NASCAR races, camping in Oregon's beautiful forests, surfing the Internet, and spending time with her family. A self-described “football mom”, she's supportive of the University of Oregon Ducks, the Green Bay Packers, and is most gregarious about cheerleading her sons team, the Creswell High School Bulldogs. Dawn has the profound distinction of living within earshot of the the WWH facility and will surely have to spin a yarn if ever tardy. Wise Woman since 2012.

 

Dewey Epperson 
Production Lab Technician Lead

As Lead Production Technician, Dewey is involved in assuring consistency in every batch through cross checks and adhering to current Good Manufacturing Practices. He assists in sourcing and purchasing of raw materials and in many cases acts as the liaison with Wise Woman Herbals' approved growers. He is a long standing member of the Quality Control Unit. Dewey is a devoted father of 3 active and talented children. Wise Guy since 2008.

 

Trisha Mogstad 
Production Lab Technician

Trisha was born and raised in Creswell, OR and first started working with WWH while still in high school. She left and traveled and decided to return to Wise Woman Herbals™. Trisha enjoys being part of the production team and participating in the herb extraction process while learning about their traditional use. She enjoys camping, hiking, cooking and 4 wheeling. Wise Woman since 2006.  

 

Sarah Fitzer, C.H.
Production Lab Technician

Sarah is an Oregon native, born and raised in the Eugene/Springfield area. She previously worked in organic food production and now enjoys working with the WWH team. Sarah enjoys making high quality herbal supplements and finds her days to be very rewarding here. In her spare time she loves to cook and bake, ride bikes with her daughter, and to go hiking and camping in the Willamette National Forest. She loves the Pacific Northwest... even the rain! Sarah is a Certified Herbalist and hardworking Wise Woman since 2010.  

 

ACCOUNTING

Elizabeth Risso, CB, LPT
Bookkeeper

With an Associates Degree in Accounting and more than eight years of bookkeeping experience behind her, Elizabeth is the highly-qualified WWH bookkeeper. She's one of WWH's most popular employees, as she's the one who pounds the numbers into the spreadsheets and prints the paychecks! An Oregon resident since 1979, Elizabeth enjoys Oregon's outdoor life as an avid fan of gardening, fishing, and camping, and spends her indoor hours engaged in knitting, crocheting, and crafting. Elizabeth and her husband have two wonderful grown children: DJ and Samantha. Wise Woman since 2012.

SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION

Gavin Koenig, B.A.
Financial and Administrative Assistant, Systems Administrator

Growing up in a family that embraces traditional medicine, Gavin is a healthy example of the benefits derived from being raised with proper diet, lifestyle, and a common sense approach to health care. Gavin attended the University of San Diego as a Trustee Merit Scholar and earned his degree magna cum laude majoring in International Relations with minors in Peace & Justice Studies and Spanish language. Born and raised in Vail, Colorado, Gavin is a former competitive snowboarder and an accomplished surfer and musician. Wise Guy since birth.