PASD Crew
The Portland Adult Soap Box Derby happens with the effort of countless volunteers and charitable donations. As a 501(c)3, the Derby operates with an oversight board that dedicates time and energy to see the derby event become a reality. More hands make for lighter work; contact volunteer@soapboxracer.org to get involved in making this Portland event a reality.
David Paulsen
President
Board Member
Fundraising-Community Partners-Silliness
Hi, I'm David. I moved to Portland on my 17th birthday in 1999 running away from foster-care in Idaho and was a homeless youth. I was living in the Bridge House down on Hawthorne and just happened upon the Derby. I knew I had found my people. I've been spectating and racing and helping out ever since. I'm proud to be the new President and I'm focusing on bringing in scholarship teams and making Derby a sustainable, accessible and equitable event for our entire community. We're Portland's largest free single-day event and the whole team is volunteers. Thanks so much for all your support! We Love Derby!
Ernesto Grundseth
Vice-President
Board Member
Vision-Direction-Support
Ernesto Grundseth has been a gravity racer since 1997. His first time downhill on Mt. Tabor was in 2008 with a win the next year in 2009. His team, KISS, has been racing every year since and has created an Art car most recently. He has now joined the board and has taken a leadership role as the vice president. Ernesto is head of our volunteer committee working hard to organize the volunteers who are the backbone of this event. His goal is to make Derby an amazing and safe summer event on Mt. Tabor.
Aaron Foster
Treasurer
Board Member
Beware of the Gold Rush
Aaron Foster is a racer, competing in the Portland Adult Soapbox Derby since 2007, and applies his many years of sports car and kart racing experience to Soapbox racing. He founded Team Formula Gravity which won the Mt. Tabor race in 2012 and has finished in the top 3 several years. He serves as Treasurer for the Derby and is a founding member of the P.A.S.D. board. From track setup to safety inspections, Aaron supports Derby in many roles and loves the race with a passion, gathering history on the event which goes back to 1997. He enjoys the life-long friendships and camaraderie between teams, volunteers, sponsors, and community.
Dawn Adams
Racer Coordinator
The Pilot and the Crew
Dawn has been with the PASD since almost the beginning. She currently resides in Pennsylvania in a log cabin in the woods with her amazing daughter and crazy border collies. Hit her up with any questions you need answered.
Alex Marconi
Safety Crew Lead
The Pilot and the Crew
Old derby fan Alex saw we needed help picking up the pieces. The literal pieces. He's there to put racers back together and make sure all are well in the spills and chills.
Drew Flint
Board Member
Re-writing the rules
Derby racer since 2000 AD, Captain of Team Dung Beetle and co-progenitor of the fastest Art Cars to hit the mountain. Drew brings years of experience in event production to the Derby.
Nikki Phillips
Social Media Coordinator
She's got your Social
Nikki Phillips works in IT by day and is a Retro Gamer/MBA Student by night. She's been a volunteer and social media lead for various charity events since 2018 and loves creating content that brings people together for a greater cause. She lives in SE PDX with her husband (they're total nerds) and their dog Amos is really passionate about hiking and frisbees.
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