Leadership
Jeff Pinneo, Chief Executive Officer
Pinneo, former CEO and president of Horizon Air, retired in June 2010 after nearly 29 years with the company. He helped Horizon Air expand markets and revenues and extend the reach and preference of the Horizon and Alaska brands. Under his leadership, Horizon Air was named Regional Airline of the Year by Air Transport World in 2007.
"Through decades of service to the world’s most vulnerable, Medical Teams International has established itself as a leader in global relief and development and a regional point of pride here in the Northwest," said Pinneo. "I am thrilled to work with this great team to expand the positive impact of the mission, both at home and around the world. The prospect is both challenging and humbling."
While Pinneo is best known for his professional work in the airline industry, he has devoted a great deal of his life to charitable organizations, including Medical Teams International. He has volunteered with the agency since 2006 and served on its board since 2008. Pinneo has also served on the advisory boards of Seattle Pacific University Center for Integrity in Business, Washington State University College of Business, Pacific Continental Bank and Point Loma Nazarene University.
Pamela Blikstad, Vice President, Finance
Pamela Blikstad ensures all resources provided to Medical Teams International are used to advance the mission of the organization. She oversees all expenses and makes sure they meet the highest standards of financial management and accountability and that audits of financial activities meet or exceed AICPA requirements. In 1999 Medical Teams International hired Pamela, a CPA, as the staff accountant. Within a year she accepted the role of vice president of finance. In 2012, she was recognized as Portland Business Journal's CFO of the Year.
Under Blikstad's leadership, Medical Teams International has continually received the highest charity ratings from independent evaluators. Read more about our financial accountability here.
Previously, Pam was an accountant and auditor for Moss Adams, LLP
Education: Portland State University, post-graduate Certificate in Accounting and George Fox University, B.A. in Psychology.
Bill Essig, Vice President, Programs
Bill Essig has worked in international relief and development for over 30 years. He spent seven years in country director and regional roles in Asia and Africa and 20 years in executive leadership roles initiating programs in more than 40 countries. In May 2000, Bill became the Vice President of Programs at Medical Teams International, supervising and managing all aspects of international development and emergency relief programs, activities, strategic partnerships and field offices. He provides leadership to the organization’s disaster responses and oversees the planning and implementation of quality development programs.
Previously, Bill was the Vice President of International Programs at Mercy Corps. Prior to that, he was the Thailand Country Director and West Africa Director for World Concern and an MBA Assistant Professor in International Business and Leadership at George Fox University
Education: John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, M.P.A., Regent College, Vancouver, Canada, Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies and Miami University, Ohio, B.A. in English.
Linda Ranz, Vice President, Marketing and Development
Linda has several years of for-profit experience primarily in web marketing, marketing and product management. In late 2007, Linda decided to direct her energies into work that would make a positive difference in the lives of others. She joined Medical Teams International in 2008 as the Puget Sound capital campaign manager.
In 2009, she joined the management team as the vice president of development. She is a board member for the Union Gospel Mission and Fortune Bank in Seattle.
Previous to joining Medical Teams International, Linda was the Senior Vice President for Technology for Getty Images.
Education: Seattle University, M.A. and Western Washington University, B.A.
Steve Vickers, Vice President, Operations Support
Steve spent 25 years in the high-tech industry as an engineer, marketing analyst, operations lead, and general manager. His professional experience includes strategic planning, operations management, and customer support. Steve’s focus is on providing support services to the organization in the areas of Human Resources, Information Technology, Facilities and Health Commodities (medicines and medical/health supplies to support local and international programs).
Previously, Steve was the Vice President of Electronic Interconnect Group for Electro Scientific Industries, President of European Operations for Juki Automation Systems and the Business Development Manager for Universal Instruments.
Education: George Fox Evangelical Seminary, coursework toward M.A. in Ministry Leadership, Northeastern University, M.S. in Engineering Management and Clarkson University, B.S. in Electrical Engineering.
Bas Vanderzalm, President and past CEO
For over 40 years, Bas Vanderzalm has worked for Christian organizations that serve those in need here in the U.S. and around the world. He led Medical Teams International as both president and CEO from September 1997 until July 2012, when he stepped down as CEO as part of a planned leadership transition.
In this transitional role as president, until his July, 2013 retirement, Bas continues to provide leadership by representing the organization in a variety of settings, engaging supporters and program partners and traveling to the many countries where Medical Teams International provides help.