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Our Story

Established in Oregon in 2015, Darrell McSmith founded Opal Foundation in memory of his late
parents, Paul and Oppie McSmith. Opal Foundation continues to honor the couple by
preserving natural places to improve the quality of life for current and future generations.
Our mission is to create a positive impact on a local level by promoting outdoor recreation while
making it accessible to all. We seek to provide access to America’s most beautiful areas for the
continued enjoyment of those who simply love nature. We aim to support recreational entities
such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and county parks, and private recreation sites,
to ensure that our beloved parks and campgrounds stay open.
For the last decade Opal Foundation has successfully renewed and restored recreational
entities that would be otherwise lost. Join us as we continue to improve the quality of life in
communities near you by donating today.

Opal Foundation Board of Directors

Darrell McSmith- Chair

Darrell has been visiting Philippi Park since he can remember. When the United Sates Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE) closed the recreational site down in 2015 Darrell acted
immediately by reaching out to the community to gain funding and with great success, reopened
the park the following summer. Darrell’s mission for Opal Foundation is to support recreational
entities and ensure communities have access to our beloved parks.

When Darrell isn’t acting as Chair of Opal Foundation he manages several alternative
businesses, enjoys time outside with his daughters and grandchildren and fishing.

Makenzi McSmith- Vice Chair

Makenzi has spent nearly her whole life enjoying the great outdoors that Oregon has to offer. When she graduated from the University of Oregon in 2014, she knew she wanted to give back to the beautiful state she has always loved. Makenzi has played a vital role in the success of the Opal Foundation from the beginning. She manages communications with stakeholders, organizes events and meetings, keeps records, and volunteers numerous hours at Philippi Park. When Makenzi isn’t acting as Vice Chair for the Opal Foundation, she works hard in her day job as VP of Marketing for a printing company. In her free time, she loves camping and spending time with her son.

Jeff Gillis- Business Executive

While Jeff was born and raised in Washington, he spent his childhood summers exploring Oregon with his grandparents. Attending Philippi Park has been a tradition in Jeff’s family for generations, and he plans to continue that tradition by enjoying the park with his two sons. With nearly 20 years of experience in marketing and advertising, Jeff helps manage the business dealings of the Opal Foundation. In his free time, he loves river fishing, hiking, and spending time with his family.

Debra McSmith- Secretary

Debra has been involved with the Opal Foundation from the beginning. Since 2015, she has developed community relationships, volunteered hundreds of hours, and kept business dealings organized. In her free time, Debra enjoys pickleball, golfing, and spending time with her grandkids.

Jeff Huelbig- Treasurer

With over 40 years of experience in accounting, Jeff handles everything related to finance for the Opal Foundation. He plays a pivotal role in the day-to-day success of Opal as well as the longevity of the organization. Jeff provides expert advice to the team while managing bank accounts and financial records.

Morgan Tucker- Project Coordinator

While Morgan grew up in Oregon, she spent the majority of her adult life in Australia and other areas of the United States. When she returned home to Oregon, she knew she wanted to give back to the community. Since 2023, Morgan has managed fundraising projects, built relationships with the community and stakeholders, and handled everyday business dealings. When she is not volunteering for the Opal Foundation, she spends her time traveling with her family.

The Opal Team holds 6 meetings annually. If you have any suggestions on current projects
that you would like to discuss at one of our meetings, please contact us.

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