R-Up HC Hall of Fame elects officers, adds new directors
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – (News release from the Hall of Fame) The Pendleton Round-Up & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame Board of Directors is excited to announce the addition of four new members to the Board and new officers for 2026.
The Hall of Fame Board selected its new officers for 2026:
● President – Shelby Cook
● Vice President – Kenny Lebsock (also Events/Sponsorship Director)
● Treasurer – Dan Fleshman
● Secretary – Tamara Pahl (also Banquet Director)
The new Hall of Fame board members are Wendy Sorey (publicity), Barb Cleveland (memberships), and Dan Fleshman (treasurer).
Wendy Sorey is a lifetime member of the Pendleton community and a graduate of Griswold High School. She has spent 45 years volunteering with Happy Canyon, proving that dedication to tradition is a full-time commitment. A princess on the 1986 Pendleton Round-Up Court, Wendy passed both the crown and the work ethic to the next generation—daughter Emily Jayne served as a princess on the 2015 court, while sons Pake and Trent earned the titles of 2023 Pendleton Round-Up Steer Roping Champion and Reserve Champion, respectively. She is married to former Pendleton Round-Up Champion Tom Sorey (1996 & 1999), making the Sorey household one where buckles, crowns, and community pride are standard décor.
Recently retired from teaching, Wendy now enjoys time with her three grandchildren while continuing to cheer loudly, volunteer often, and keep Pendleton tradition alive with a smile.
Barb Cleveland was raised in Pendleton and has lived here all her life. She has been married to her husband, Tom, for 49 years and has two sons and four beautiful grandkids. Barb taught school for 35 years with most of those years being spent substituting in grades 1-12. She taught classes from accounting to welding, and everything in between. She was the Intermountain High School Rodeo Advisor for nine years when her boys participated in NHSRA.
Barb has been a Round-Up & Happy Canyon volunteer for over 30 years doing various duties. Today, she provides horses to several Round-Up directors for parades all across the Northwest.
Dan Fleshman grew up on the southern Oregon Coast in Gold Beach. He began visiting Pendleton when he met his future wife while living in Eugene and quickly became a fan of both the city and the Round-Up. Dan, and his wife Tara relocated to Pendleton in 2021 from Little Rock, Arkansas following his retirement after 44 years in banking. Dan is an active member and past president of the NET tennis and pickleball center in Pendleton. He is also an active volunteer in our community. Dan volunteers for the Pendleton Fire Department, working on various administrative duties and is a member of Pendleton City Club.
Most recently, Dan has become a Let ’er Buck Room volunteer during Round-Up and has actively supported fundraising activities with the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame for the past couple years.
“We are thrilled to have three new additions to our board” said Hall of Fame President Shelby Cook. “They each bring unique qualities, hard work ethic, and extensive volunteer experience in our community. They will be excellent additions to our board.”
The Hall of Fame is closed for the winter season, but will open back up in early March. To schedule a tour during the off season, please email ruphalloffame@gmail.com or call 541-278-0815 and leave a message.
Photo of Shelby Cook provided by the Hall of Fame
