John F. Gatchet
VP of Education

John F. Gatchet grew up in western Washington on the Olympic Peninsula. He became a Seventh-day Adventist in 1962 after attending evangelistic meetings in Sequim, Washington. John decided to attend Walla Walla College to obtain a Christian education. He graduated in 1967 from WWC with a major in History and minors in Religion and Sociology. There he met Eloise Mittleider and they were married in 1966.
John has a Masters of Education in Administration from Walla Walla College and took further post-graduate work at Portland State University for certification in Guidance and Counseling. He worked 33 years in boarding schools as a Dean of Men, Registrar, Librarian, Guidance Director, Vice Principal and Principal.  He has taught Bible, Speech, Government, World History, U.S. History, and English as a Second Language.

Before coming to the Oregon Conference John served as Vice President for Education in the Georgia Cumberland Conference from 2001 until 2003. In 2003, he accepted the position of VP for Education in the Oregon Conference.

John is an avid birder and has written articles for various publications including one for the American Birding Association. He enjoys backpacking, hiking, photography and his grandchildren.  

Wayne Wentland
Associate Superintendent
Secondary Education

Attended Adventist schools elementary through college.Graduated from Tacoma Jr. Academy and Auburn Adventist Academy. Wayne received his Bachelor of Science in History from Walla Walla College.  He currently holds Professional Certification with a M.Ed. in school administration.

He has served in the secondary school system as teacher, dean of boys, Vice-Principal, and Principal.  Wayne also served as Vice-President for Education in the Pennsylvania Conference.

Wayne, and his wife Birdena, share their house with two Dalmations and he enjoys golf, biking, reading, old cars and gardening.

Peggy Fisher
Associate Superintendent
Elementary Education

Attended Seventh-day Adventist schools first grade through graduate school.

Peggy received her Bachelor of Music from Southwestern Adventist University, Masters in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction.

Administrative experience has been as an associate superintendent in the Indiana Conference and as Superintendent in Northern New England, Rocky Mountain, and Gulf States Conferences.

Peggy enjoys playing golf, reading, counted cross stitch, traveling, and friends.