Get to know your AMTA-OR Board Members better!

Mike Blackmore, LMT #6637
AMTA-OR President
Mike Blackmore has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 1998, and became involved with AMTA chapter activities when he was elected to a delegate position in 2001. He has also served on the board as 3rd VP, 2nd VP. Mike maintains a massage practice in Eugene, coaches high school track and cross country and competes as a Master's athlete as well.

John Combe, NCTMB, LMT #7492
AMTA-OR 1st Vice President
John Combe has been a Professional Member for 12 years; he is AMTA-OR 2011 National Convention Committee Co-Chair, past President (2006-2008), past Second Vice President, 2005 Oregon LMT of the Year, and 2010 Meritorious Award Recipient. John also served as Membership Chair for 8 years, and enjoys getting to know AMTA members. When serving as an Oregon Delegate for 5 years, John was elected to serve on the House of Delegates Operations Committee for two terms.

John is also involved with the Oregon Board of Massage Therapist since 2000, currently serving on two committees, and an active committee member with the Massage Therapy Foundation.

John is the founder of Combe’s Wellness Center, in LaGrande, Oregon, specializing in clinical massage for the last 12 years, working with Naturopathic, Chiropractic and Medical Doctors. In John’s spare time, he and his wife Angie are very active runners and cyclists.

Michael Dukart, LMT #6806
AMTA-OR 2nd Vice President
I was first licensed to practice massage in Oregon in 1998, and have built a practice of chair and table massage in the Salem area since then. I return to the AMTA-Oregon Board of Directors as 2nd Vice President following a year away (not exactly: I’ve been AMTA-OR’s Oregon News Newsletter Editor). Prior to that, beginning in 2003 I was AMTA-OR Secretary for 4 years.

It is always an honor to serve my fellow Oregon AMTA massage peers. This Oregon Chapter, by itself and as part of the National AMTA organization, plays such a vital role in the growth and acceptance of massage as a healing art. We on the 2008 Board are very excited about our newly revamped website (www.amta-or.org), and are anxious that all our members check out the user-friendly site regularly to keep themselves updated on the newest in Chapter developments. Give us feedback. Please.

In conclusion, I’m excited about 2008 and my opportunity to serve as AMTA-OR 2nd Vice President. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity.

Susan Baer, LMT #
AMTA-OR 3rd Vice President
I was raised in Oregon, took massage training in England in 1973, and became an Oregon LMT in 1977. I maintained a friends-and-family practice while also working in high-tech for 25 years as an award-winning technical writer. After leaving the high-tech world in 2004, my partner Katherine Wolfe and I developed and patented the Thumbby™ Soft Massage Cone in late 2007.

I am honored and excited to be elected 3rd Vice-President of AMTA-OR. I'm looking forward to helping make this year's AMTA National Convention in Portland the best ever, and to increasing the general public's awareness of the value of massage therapy.

Jennifer Olsen, LMT #8306
AMTA-OR Secretary
Bio pending.

Brandi Walton, LMT #3218
AMTA-OR Treasurer
I have been a licensed massage therapist for 18 years, having graduated from East West College of the Healing Arts. Having attended business school and by virtue of nine years on the Board of Directors of the Oregon Chapter AMTA, I feel I have a good understanding of the financial responsibilities of Treasurer. It is an honor to be re-elected to this position and to serve our Chapter once again. Thank you for your support.