50 GREAT LEADERS FOR OREGON
50 who fix it, move it, build it, change it and get it done
right
Oregon is a state full of pioneers, innovators, instigators and
do-gooders. Selecting just 50 to showcase is not an easy task,
but those included in this year’s 50 Great Leaders for
Oregon made the job simpler by virtue of their dedication,
risk-taking and passion.
To get under the skin of what makes a great leader tick, we
asked for their inspirations, dreams, reading lists and
predictions for the future. Our prediction? You’ll be
seeing a lot more of this group in the future.
10 PIONEERS: Our pioneers are
breaking new ground in their fields — and sometimes
creating new fields. They’re worth watching to see how
their innovations will change their corners of the
state.
PIONEER
Paul Woodin
President, Western Wind Power, Goldendale
Woodin, 58, assists communities in developing locally owned
renewable energy projects as a way of netting more economic
return from new energy projects for Oregon’s rural
communities.
He says: Oregon is
a complex state where geography and weather vary greatly. Each
area has its own unique opportunities for renewable projects,
be they wind, small hydro, biomass or geothermal.
On Oregon’s business
climate: Oregon is one of the best states in the
country for renewable projects. I hope that we can continue to
push the renewable energy vision forward.
His work style: I
believe that the best efforts are when groups of like-minded
visionaries work toward common goals.
PIONEER
Shoaib Tareen
CEO, Anthro Corporation, Tualatin
Tareen, 53, is a Tektronix alum who decided to shift into
ergonomic furniture in the mid-1980s. Anthro has now become a
brand name for office furniture that accommodates new
technology devices.
To-do list for the
governor: Help protect green spaces in and around urban
areas to keep people who live in cities connected to
nature.
What he wanted to be when he
grew up: People restore houses and cars; I would
like to restore damaged and abused habitats so flora and fauna
will flourish.
His work style: I
try to balance work obligations with family and personal
obligations and encourage others to do the same.
Bold prediction for
'07: The stock market will surpass 13,000.
PIONEER
Scott Grout
CEO, RadiSys, Hillsboro
For the last four years Grout, 44, has led RadiSys in making
advancements in the development and manufacturing of embedded
technology systems to run small electronics. He’s greatly
expanded the company’s markets to allow RadiSys to serve
next-generation networks, which has kept the company performing
well.
To-do list for the
governor: Focus on a world-class K-12. Our kids
will operate in a much more competitive world when they grow up
and we need to equip them for it.
On Oregon’s business
climate: There is a strong and stable talent pool.
Also, community, press and government are supportive of
businesses.
Currently
reading: The
World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman and light reading at
www.lightreading.com.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: The city of Portland.
PIONEER
Susan Hammer
Attorney, Susan Hammer Dispute Resolution Services,
Portland
Hammer, 57, is one of the leaders in the growing field of
dispute resolution, after 20 years in law practice at Stoel
Rives. She received the James M. Burns federal practice award
for her work in federal court this year. She’s also
recently led the Portland City Club.
Currently
reading: Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: The Columbia Gorge.
Extracurriculars: Portland
City Club, Planned Parenthood, Willamette University board of
trustees, college of law capital campaign.
What she wanted to be when
she grew up: I grew up at a time when choices for
girls were limited. My role models were teachers and nurses.The
civil rights movement and the re-birth of feminism in the 1960s
showed me the importance of law. When I was an intern in Sen.
Mark Hatfield’s office, I discovered I had an interest in
law. Then after 20 years of practicing law, I felt compelled to
find less expensive and more satisfying ways for people and
organizations to resolve disputes. I was ready for
mediation.
To-do list for the
governor: Work with the Legislature; tell the truth
about how dysfuctional our tax system is and engage in a
dialogue about how to fix it; get rid of corporate and
individual kickers.
Bold prediction for
‘07: Things are going to get better.
PIONEER
Albert Gosiak
President and CEO, Pendleton Grain Growers,Pendleton
PGG is one of the 50 largest grain-handlers in North America,
and Gosiak, 50, has opened up new markets such as biofuels.
On Oregon’s business
climate: If you want to expand in Oregon, come to
Pendleton. There is an affordable, motivated workforce, a
close-knit community and some of the most reasonable land
prices in the state.
His work
style: To be the best at anything at any given
moment, allow yourself to do only one thing at a time. When you
give 100% of your attention to something it is quite easy to do
it quickly and completely and move on.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: I was raised in the Columbia River Gorge
and I can’t think of a more beautiful place to call
home.
PIONEER
Jorge Yant
President and CEO of Plexis Healthcare Systems, Ashland
Since founding his company in 1996, Yant, 48, has pushed the
envelope in helping health care organizations to streamline
administrative operations, reduce costs and improve health-care
delivery.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: Ashland and its beautiful mountains, hiking
paths, Lithia Park, Shakespeare Festival, Southern Oregon
University, great restaurants and wonderful people.
His work style: I
am passionate about my work. I enjoy every moment of planning
and executing strategic initiatives, developing new business
relationships and working hard to improve health-care delivery
for our clients.
To-do list for the
governor: Concentrate on health-care reform and
improve the climate for small businesses.
On Oregon’s business
climate: Oregon offers a very healthy quality of
life and it has an exceptional talent pool of bright and
energetic people.
PIONEER
Charles W. Eggert
President, Pacific Foods of Oregon, Tualatin
A strong believer in sustainable agriculture and organic
farming, Eggert, 57, founded a business that puts gourmet food
on the shelves and strengthens the enviroment.
He says: Charles
Handy in the book The Hungry Spirit has a quote, “Think
about this; when you get to heaven you will meet the man you
might have been.” I am trying to be as close as possible
to the man I will meet.
On Oregon’s business
climate: There is a need to re-establish the link
between agriculture and the consumer. The logistics of getting
products processed and to the market have become difficult to
work with and need to be updated.
PIONEER
Jay Henry
CEO, Mountain View Hospital, Madras
Henry, 34, led a major financial turnaround at the hospital and
he’s also established some innovative metrics to bring
the rural facility up to the best standards in the state. So
far, Mountain View has yielded patient satisfaction scores of
96% and made considerable outreach efforts through new
philanthropy and a relationship with the Warm Springs
tribes.
Extracurriculars: Rotary
International, Central Oregon Community College, American
College of Healthcare Executives.
Currently
reading: Atlas
Shrugged by Ayn Rand; Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon
Chouinard, Fast
Company, Archimedes Movement blog.
He says: A
complex mess like our health care system lends itself to the
need for creative, radical solutions ... and those types of
challenges have always appealed to me.
What he wanted to be when he
grew up: I hoped to make a difference in
others’ lives. I had several eye surgeries as a young guy
and was exposed to the myriad of problems with our health care
system. The fear, confusion and lack of input that I
experienced left a rather indelible mark on me. That lit a fire
under me to join this field.
To-do list for the
governor: We are well beyond the point of needing
incremental advances in our health care delivery system. I
would encourage our new governor to take a blank slate approach
to our current system and fuel new ideas for an intelligent
approach to health care.
PIONEER
Valerie Athena
Tomasi
President, Farleigh Witt Attorneys, Portland
A specialist in representing financial service providers and
commercial real estate deals, Tomasi, 48, has run Farleigh Witt
since 1990. She’s also an adjunct professor at Lewis and
Clark Law School and has been leader in pro bono work
locally.
To-do list for the
governor: Clean up the Willamette; grant more
incentives for clean energy; institute a sales tax earmarked
solely for funding education.
Extracurriculars: Chair of the
Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor pro bono subcommittee; Oregon
advisory board of directors for KeyBank National Association;
Co-Chair of the Multnomah County Bar Association Managing
Partner Round Table; Volunteer for Mercy Corps and CARE.
On Oregon’s business
climate: I have seen more real estate and business
development in the last couple of years and am optimistic this
will continue. However, to maximize growth, our state tax
system needs to be overhauled to achieve steady funding for our
infrastructure to draw and support new business infrastructure
such as good school systems, adequate college funding and urban
revitalization projects.
What she wanted to be when
she grew up: Loving both Star Trek and Nancy Drew,
I wanted to be a space detective. Being a business lawyer may
not be as exciting, but at least there is a current need for my
skills and my kids were spared having to change planetary
schools as I tracked down intergalactic felons.
PIONEER
Sue Kupillas
Owner, Allied Solutions by Kupillas, Medford
Kupillas, 65, has a long history of public service in Southern
Oregon and lately she’s turned her energy toward rallying
support for active restoration of forestlands following
wildfire. Federal officials have taken notice through new
restoration rules.
Currently
reading: Object
Lesson by Anna Quindlen.
On Oregon’s business
climate: Business is moving to Oregon because of
competitive workers’ comp, no sales tax and other
business benefits, but most of all the weather, the beautiful
outdoors and multiple cultural opportunities.
To-do list for the
governor: Chalkboard and Oregon Business Council
have done an excellent job articulating key issues. The new
governor needs to engage more with the public and the
Legistature, and with viable solutions.
Extracuriculars: Board member
of Homestead Capital; Providence Hospital Foundation board;
American Leadership Forum board; Rotary; Institute of
Natural Resources board, Oregon State University; St.
Mark’s Episcopal Church; executive director for
Communities for Healthy Forests.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: The Rogue River, with its recreational
opportunities and excitement. Also, being a watercolor
artist, the visual beauty and sounds of the canyons in the
lower Rogue.
10 ON THE HOT SEAT: Whether
they’re in a new job, have promised to deliver big things
or find themselves in the middle of a contentious issue, here
are 10 leaders Oregonians should keep an eye on in the coming
year.
ON THE HOT SEAT
Bill Rauch
Incoming artistic director, Oregon
Shakespeare Festival, Ashland
Rauch,44, has built quite a career as an innovative director.
He co-founded the novel Cornerstone Theater Company, based in
Los Angeles, which infused scripts with contemporary themes.
Lately, he’s been directing New York premieres and even
has a directing credit on the TV show Judging Amy. A
Shakespeare Festival contributing director for the past five
seasons, Rauch is now faced with pushing up the
festival’s flagging attendance numbers.
What he wanted to be when he
grew up: I wanted to be an actor because I loved
the transformational ritual of the theater. When I was a
freshman in college, it dawned on me that I was a terrible
actor. I’ve been directing plays ever since.
Reading
list: The
Shakespeare Wars, by Ron Rosenbaum, and a lot of plays,
since we’re in the process of selecting the ‘08
season.
Work
style: I’m a passionate believer that the
best idea in the room wins, no matter where it comes from.
Bold prediction for
'07: Oregon, with its many vibrant arts organizations,
will supplant New York City as the true theatrical capital of
the nation.
ON THE HOT SEAT
Sandy Garner
President of the Garner Group, part of Coldwell Banker Morris
Real Estate, Bend
Garner is one of the top-producing real estate brokers in both
Central Oregon and the West. A native of Central Oregon,
she’s built up her own group, which now includes several
family members. The challenge now for Garner is to keep the
success train rolling as the housing market cools off,
especially in Bend.
To-do list for the
governor: Recognize Eastern Oregon’s
importance, particularly relating to higher education.
Now Reading: Built to Last by Jim Collins and Jerry
Poras.
Bold prediction for
'07: The housing market will rebound much more
sharply than expected. It will be stimulated by inmigration and
economic growth in areas such as Central Oregon.
ON THE HOT SEAT
Tom Partin
President, American Forest Resource Council, Portland
A former managing partner of Ochoco Lumber and mayor of John
Day, Partin is working to keep Oregon’s state and federal
forests open to active management and logging.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: Rural Oregon. I have great respect for the
family values taught in rural Oregon, the pride in schools and
churches and the volunteers who make these communities
function. Collectively, they help make Oregon great.
TTo-do list for the
governor: Remove the harsh regulatory climate,
support active management of federal forests, improve
transportation, make use of the state’s raw materials,
promote biomass as a renewable energy source.
ON THE HOT SEAT
Jay Clemens
President and CEO, Associated Oregon Industries, Salem
After eight years leading the Tulsa, Okla., chamber of commerce
through a rebranding effort, Clemens, 59 and a Northwest
native, is the new chief of Oregon’s largest, most
powerful and some would say, most stodgy, business group.
He’ll be helping AOI retool its image: The new touchstone
of the organization is “prosperity.” Clemens’
sunny personality — comes with the Eastern Washington
upbringing — should help in the new AOI regime
Work style: My
style is collaborative. I am a coach.
Currently
reading: Colin Powell’s autobiography
Extracurriculars: Committee of
100 — U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Chair, American Chamber
of Commerce Benefits Trust.
He says: The
business of AOI places us in a highly visible arena that
demands very focused goals that prevent us from leading the
organization astray and into issues that may not be relevant to
those goals. Top priorities of AOI are to develop a vision for
prosperity in the future. We will be very analytical about
issues that help the private sector grow. Fiscal reform will be
part of the agenda.
ON THE HOT SEAT
Kay Toolson
Chairman and CEO, Monaco Coach Corporation, Eugene
Monaco has been a big economic engine for Lane County, but
earnings dropped with consumer spending this year. Toolson, CEO
since 1984, needs to get Monaco firing on all cyclinders.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: The Oregon Coast can’t be
surpassed.
Extracurriculars: The Relief
Nursery, SCAR/Jasper Mountain, Cascade Health Solutions.
To-do list for the
governor: We need to make government more efficient
and better prioritize our goals as a state. Then, cut costs
from the lowest priorities. We need to find ways to stop crime
and straighten out our education system.
Business
climate: I tell people that Oregon is a wonderful
place to live but we could use an improved business-friendly
environment.
What he wanted to be when he
grew up: My dad was in the produce business and he
always preached about ways to be a successful businessman. So
he helped make that my goal.
Bold prediction for
'07: I expect it to be much better than
‘06.
ON THE HOT SEAT
Judy Cushing
President and CEO, Oregon Partnership, Portland 
Cushing’s organization has been at the forefront of
Oregon’s fight against methamphetamine use. She’s
also unafraid to take uncomfortable stances — such as a
recent one against Macy’s sale of booze-promoting
T-shirts to minors.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: Rolling hills and farmland of the northern
Willamette Valley. My hope is that the wine industry, nursery
propagation and organic farming will allow the beautiful
fertile land of Yamhill County, where I grew up, to prosper
untouched by sprawl.
Bold prediction for
'07: Legislature responds to grassroots support for
a 10-cent increase in beer and wine tax to fund prevention and
treatement.
ON THE HOT SEAT
Onno Husing
Director, Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association,
Newport
Husing rallies all the players to the table in the ongoing
effort to keep Oregon’s fishing economy vital and the
region’s fishing stocks healthy. The 51-year-old is also
an advocate for rural economic development.
Work
style: I’m drawn to bright people who can
teach me something. I try to think big but stay pragmatic.
On Oregon’s business
climate: Not long ago, it was chilly. The last
recession provided a wake-up call. Today in state government,
there’s a much more cooperative attitude.
Prediction for
‘07: Deployment of next-generation wireless
broadband will disperse business to rural regions.
ON THE HOT SEAT
Peggy Fowler
CEO, Portland General Electric
Fowler, 55, went to work at PGE in 1974 as a chemist. Now
she’s in the corner office. Having survived the collapse
of parent Enron and two out-of-state buyout attempts, Fowler
must now convince Wall Street to like the new and improved PGE;
the company’s share price has been lagging virtually
since shares started trading in April.
Extracurriculars: Boards of
Oregon Business Council, The Regence Group, SOLV
Founder’s Circle, Oregon Independent College
Foundation.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: My husband and I enjoy spending much of our
free time in Central Oregon. We also vacation every August at
Trouthaven Resort on Wallowa Lake.
What she wanted to be when
she grew up: I majored in math and chemistry in
college because that’s what I wanted to be — a
chemist.
To-do list for the
governor: Funding for education and a solid
strategy for workforce development; flexibility in business
regulation; health care reform.
Bold prediction for
'07: Multiple parties come together to lay the
groundwork for Oregon’s energy future, balancing cost,
reliability and environmental concerns
ON THE HOT SEAT
Mas Subramanian
Milton Harris Professor of Materials Science, Oregon State;
signature research faculty fellow, Oregon Nanoscience and
Microtechnolgoies Institute, Corvallis
Subramanian, with 51 U.S. patents to his name, is a rock star
in the micro- and nanotech world. A native of India, he came to
Oregon this spring after 21 years at DuPont’s R&D
lab. His specialty is discovering and developing new materials.
Oregon science and technology types called his move to Oregon a
coup for the state, and it sets up ONAMI to take off.
Extracurriculars,
awards: American Chemical Society, Materials
Research Society, Charles Pederson Medal.
Work style: Work
hard, play hard.
To-do list for the
governor: Increased spending on education and
scientific research should be the top priority. Oregon
universities seriously lack infrastructure to conduct
world-class research and development.
ON THE HOT SEAT
Brian Ferriso
Director, Portland Art Museum
Ferriso, 40, and a practicing artist, takes over the art museum
after a stint as CEO of the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa.
(Between Ferriso and AOI’s Clemens, it’s a westward
exodus from Tulsa not seen since the 1930s). He’ll have
big shoes to fill left by predecessor John Buchanan.
Extracurriculars: American
Association of Art Museum Directors, Young Presidents
Association.
Currently
reading: The
Accidental Masterpiece: On the Art of Life and Vice Versa
by Michael Kimmelman.
What he wanted to be: A pilot, like my father. Then I
discovered art, my inherent passion.
Favorite piece of
Oregon:
The outdoors and the way the natural light hits the
landscape.
Work
style: Delegate to staff and have a balanced
life.
Bold prediction for
'07: A work of art will be sold for more than the
current record of $135 million, which was paid in 2005 for
Gustav Klimt’s portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer.
10 FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD: A
formidable brigade of do-gooders, these leaders are
contributing
to their communities,
usually with their time, making Oregon a better place to live
and do business.
FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
David Fuks
CEO, Cedar Sinai Park, Portland
After a spending much of his career in social work and child
advocacy, Fuks, 56, has turned his talents toward senior care.
Through his position at Cedar Sinai, an elder housing and care
facility, he’s pushing for health and political leaders
to get organized and plan for the coming old-age boom.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: Camp Sherman in Central Oregon is the place
that my heart and family return.
Currently
reading: Painted
Veil by W. Somerset Maugham, Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns
Goodwin, Foreign
Affairs, Harvard
Business Review, MySpace to keep track of my
14-year-old.
He says: Oregon
is a meritocracy. It doesn’t matter who your daddy is but
that you show up, work hard, carry yourself with ethics and try
to make a difference.”
“2007 can be the year that our leaders stop reacting in
fear to the coming wave of baby boomer retirements. We are
facing an opportuntiy not a crisis.
FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
Mark Edlen
Managing principal, Gerding Edlen Development Company,
Portland
Edlen’s leadership in the redevelopment of The Pearl and
South Waterfront districts is well known. Behind the scenes,
he’s helped steer a number of nonprofits and arts
organizations, including Portland Center Stage.
Reading: Ominivore’s
Dilemma, Michael Pollan; Let My People Go Surfing, Yvon
Chouinard.
The business
climate: We have more opportunity to succeed and
grow as a city and region than I have ever witnessed. As with
other places, we have challenges such as schools, unbalanced
taxation, affordable housing and higher education funding.
To-do list for the
governor: My hope is that our newly elected governor
will follow his true instincts about what is the right path for
Oregon rather than what he thinks will garner the most votes in
the next election.
FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
Theresa Wisner
Executive director, My Sister’s Place, Lincoln City
Wisner, 47, and a member of the governor’s council on
domestic violence, has raised more than
$3 million to house and serve victims
of violence at My Sister’s Place.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: Right where I am, near Logsden in the Coast
Range.
Reading: Reading
Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nefisi, and Backyard Composting.
To-do list for the
governor: Fair housing for the homeless, affordable
housing for low-wage earners, universal health care, increased
education dollars and options.
Work style: Bring
everything back to the mission of the organization. Remember
the client at all times.
Bold prediction for
'07: Oregon will be a leader in renewable energy
sources, including wave energy.
FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
Steve Grasty
Harney County judge, Burns
Grasty, 55, combines a quiet demeanor with a tireless fight to
keep far Eastern Oregon relevant in the growing state and top
of mind for legislators in Salem. He’s a former auto
parts store owner who became the county executive in 1999.
He’s also been central to the work of the Eastern Oregon
Rural Alliance advocacy group.
What he wanted to
be: A race car driver, for the speed and
thrill.
To-do list for
governor: Make forest health the number one
priority to create jobs and spread economic growth across the
state; challenge our youth with tough education requirements
and encourage higher education opportunities through university
education and trade schools; establish a solid rainy-day
fund.
Currently reading:
Earth Abides by George
Stewart; Shopping for
Bombs by George Corera.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: It’s a tossup between Steens Mountain
and Malheur National Forest.
He says: Rural
Oregon is very economically fragile. We need a return to a
sustainable use of natural resources. Our statewide economy now
may be dependent on technology rather than timber. We need to
diversify.
Work
style: Dedicated to completing the job and
dependent upon a great staff.
Bold prediction for
'07: Oregon has its best snow pack in 40 years.
FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
Nichole June Maher
Executive director, Native American Youth and Family Center,
Portland
Maher, 28, has given the Portland Native American community a
boost by increasing her agency’s budget tenfold and using
culturally specific goals in education. Last year, the NAYA
center was one of just 11 similar ventures to get national
recognition.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: The Siletz River.
Reading: A story
about the life of Ingrid Washinawatok.
What she wanted to be when
she grew up: knew I wanted to strengthen my community
and empower our elders and youth.
Bold prediction for
'07: A movement to build on common values and
beliefs and move away from our urban-rural divide.
FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
Becky
Hatfield-Hyde
Owner, Yainix Ranch, Beatty
Hatfield-Hyde has been hard at work this fall fleshing out a
compromise between irrigation farmers and Indian tribes in the
contentious Klamath Basin. With any luck, there will be a new
settlement in place soon.
Reading: The Omnivore’s Dilemma
by Michael Pollan; Big Red
Barn children’s book with my kids.
What she wanted to
be: Rancher, writer and psychologist. I still
write sometimes.
She
says: “We need an intiative that deals with
keeping large chunks of land open. We’re going to do that
by investing in working lands, keeping them whole. We need to
welcome new people into the state and ask them to help with
that.“
FOR THE PUBLIC
GOOD
Dhyana Kearly
Development director, Central Oregon Council on Aging;
president, Rural Oregon Arts Association, Prineville
Kearly is a fund-raiser by day and the catalyst behind an
up-and-coming arts organization by night. Her rural arts group
aims to boost the culture quotient in Crook County. So far, it
has pulled off a celebration of cowboy art and convinced local
banks to sponsor a revolving exhibit of hometown artists.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: I love to escape to Eastern Oregon, my
ancestral homeland of sorts. The Wallowa Mountains always
beckon my spirit and I enjoy visiting the Joseph area.
She
says: “Pay attention to the arts. We in turn
will support a flourishing community of creatives capable of
imagining a better future.”
FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
Tod Heisler
Executive director, Deschutes River Conservancy, Bend
Heisler, 51, is a seasoned veteran from the conservation
community, having helped Conservation International grow from
its infancy to the global heavyweight it is today. Now,
he’s working to restore streams in Central Oregon to
stretch its thin water supply to meet diverse needs.
Extracurriculars: Bend Parks
and Rec youth soccer; Central Oregon Intergovernmental
Council.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: Temperate rain forests west of the Cascades
— in particular the Umpqua and McKenzie River
valleys.
Bold prediction for
'07: Major breakthroughs in court and in the wild
for threatened salmon.
FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
Brad Earl
VP, treasurer, Harry and David, Medford
Earl, 43, headed up the board for the United Way in Medford and
is now leading a visioning process for the organization. He
sits on the state commission on volunteers.
What he wanted to be when he
grew up:I remember at age 17 telling people I was going
to be a banker.
Work
style: I’m goal-oriented and easygoing. I
enjoy crunching numbers and being organized and I expect a lot
of myself.
To-do list for the
governor: End poverty (or reverse the trend), stop
meth use and crimes related to it, solve the whole escalating
health care cost problem, and solve affordable housing. We can
start with Oregon and work outward.
FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
Victoria Frey
Executive director PICA-Portland Institute for Contemporary
Arts
Frey, 48, worked as an advocate for AIDS awareness through the
1980s and ‘90s while running one of the first art
galleries in what would become the Pearl District. She fused
the advocacy and arts backgrounds in taking over at PICA a few
years ago. Its Time-Based Art festival continues to push
boundaries and gain more recognition each year.
Extracurriculars: National
Performance Network, National Dance Project, PAC/VAC
leaderership group.
Reading: Phantom Tollbooth with my 8-year-old, TBA blog
daily to relive the glory of those 11 days in September.
To-do list for the
governor: The public education system must be
fixed.
10 SUPER
CONNECTORS: You know
the type. Super connectors know everyone and everything it
takes to get things done in business or public policy. They
make the connections Oregon needs to keep things
humming.
SUPER
CONNECTORS
Keith Tymchuk
Social studies teacher, Port of Umpqua commissioner,
Reedsport
Every town needs a busybody such as Tymchuk, 49, a former mayor
who’s been at the center of Reedsport’s effort to
reinvent itself. Lately, he’s been promoting Reedsport as
a hub for wave energy research and development.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: Fly fishing on the North Umpqua River, high
mountain elk country in Eastern Oregon, Bandon and Pacific
Dunes golf courses.
Currently
reading: Will in
the World, a biography of William Shakespeare,
Westfly.com
Work style: I
jump right in. I like a process where things get done. Make
decisions and move on. A lack of decision-making is not
leadership.
Bold prediction for
'07: Wave power will happen. Watch for the economic
development spin-offs that come Oregon’s way.
SUPER CONNECTORS
Rita Cavin
President, Linn-Benton Community College, Albany
Cavin, 63, is working with the mid-Willamette Valley business
community on improving Oregon’s education system and its
workforce.
On Oregon’s business
climate: Oregon cities are very welcoming to new
businesses. Oregon is poised to be the center of a vibrant
economic upswing that would serve as a role model for the
entire country.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: Portland nightlife and the Oregon
coast.
What she wanted to be when
she grew up: I wanted to be a teacher, to make a
difference in the lives of those who will carry on the work
each one of us leaves behind.
SUPER
CONNECTORS
Ryan Buchanan
CEO, eROI, Portland
Buchanan, 31, has been an active member of the Oregon startup
scene, both through building his own — an e-marketing
company — and by founding the support group of young
entrepreneurs, the Starve-Ups.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: I love the outdoors, whether it’s
hiking or climbing mountains in the Three Sisters Wilderness or
walking along the beaches of the Oregon Coast. Livability and
quality of life are incredible in Portland.
On Oregon’s business
climate: Oregon businesses partner together and
help each other out. It is more cooperative than in other
regions.
What he wanted to be when he
grew up: For the first eight years of my life I
wanted to be a star point guard in the NBA. I’m
passionate about playing hoops even though I’m an average
player.
His work
style: I’m a “walk around the
office” type of manager who gets firsthand feedback from
individuals throughout our company. I like to motivate team
members and delegate wherever needed.
SUPER CONNECTORS
Tom Hampson
Executive director, ONABEN, Tigard
Hampson, 58, is a sparkplug for tribal economic development
using the net-work of Native American business, ONABEN, that he
heads.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: Imnaha River and the Wallowa Mountains.
Currently
reading: Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken
Kesey and Rogue River
Journal: A Winter Alone by John Daniel.
What he wanted to be when he
grew up: I seemed to be drawn to occupations by
idealism and family circumstance. Reflection reveals common
threads, advocacy and problem solving for the
disenfranchised.
SUPER CONNECTORS
Diane Snyder
Executive director, Wallowa Resources, Enterprise
At the helm of a nationally recognized natural resources and
economic development group in Wallowa County, Snyder, 44, has
kept the backing of diverse stakeholders for forest
restoration and thinning projects.
She
says: “We I have discovered that working
at the community level is incredibly rewarding. It allows me to
participate at state and national levels.
Work style: I try
to use a team approach to create partnerships and encourage
innovative ways to address the challenges facing our
community.
On Oregon’s business
climate: I am excited about emerging niche markets
and value-added opportunities in the natural resources
sector.
SUPER CONNECTORS
Lee Lanphier
President and CEO, Lanphier Associates, Medford
Since moving to Oregon in 1985, Lanphier, 59, has lived many
lives in the Southern Oregon business community —
marketing guru, manufacturing exec.
Now, he heads the Rogue Valley Workforce Development Board.
On Oregon’s business
climate:
Oregon is a remarkable place to create new enterprises because
it has more than its share of stubborn creative types who
routinely do “what can’t be done” and find
new ground to break in virtually every aspect of business
— from artisan cheese making to rotary aircraft
manufacturing.
His work
style: My work style is collective and synergistic,
drawing ideas from unexpected associations. It is noisy and
irreverent, challenging “the way it’s always
been.” It is steady, but uneven, leaping from logic to
inspiration and back. And it is stubbornly persistent, refusing
to walk away until the job is done.
He says: I seem
to thrive on ambitions that involve risk-taking and
creating.
Bold prediction for
'07:
Southern Oregon will lead the state by radically transforming
its economic development and workforce systems into a single,
integrated partnership which will be business-led,
education-supported and customer-centric.
Favorite piece of
Oregon:
The view of the Strawberry Mountains from Prairie City at dusk
and the John Day river canyon near the junction of Highways 26
and 19 at sunrise.
SUPER CONNECTORS
Helga Conrad
Director, Umpqua Economic Development Partnership,
Roseburg
Conrad works tirelessly behind the scenes to bring new business
to the Umpqua Valley and to build up existing companies.
Extracurricular: International
Economic Development Council; board member of Umpqua Community
College; Oregon Economic Development Association; Roseburg
Rotary Club; Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
Work
style: Consensus and team building; bringing the
right people together to accomplish a project or mission. When
I work on a project in Douglas County I involve the community
team members that help move the project forward.
What she wanted to be when
she grew up: I always loved playing Monopoly, so I
wanted to become a developer or a real estate broker —
anything that had to do with business development. Now I am
doing that on a larger scale involving many more components and
people.
She
says: “We I like creating something
positive and seeing a project become a reality.
Currently
reading: Blink by Malcolm Gladwell and
Fierce Conversations
by Susan Scott. Favorite blog is Iceland elist: Dateline
Iceland. Since I have Icelandic roots I try to keep in touch
with what is going on in Iceland.
SUPER CONNECTORS
Randy Swangard
Managing director, Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship,
University of Oregon, Eugene
Swangard has bridged the academic and business worlds through
30 years’ experience in entrepreneurial companies as
founder, partner and investor and 20 years in education, much
of it at the U of O.
On Oregon’s business
climate: Still emerging but beginning to pick up
speed. We are recognizing that we need multiple, not singular,
solutions for access to capital, a highly educated workforce,
and support for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Work
style: Management by example. Create situations
where people understand what to do, have the tools to
accomplish their goals and then get out of the way.
To-do list for the
governor: Bring sanity and good stewardship to the
legislative process. Invest in what works, question everything
else.
What he wanted to be when he
grew up: A center striker for Manchester United or
Real Madrid since soccer was my sport of choice.
Extracurriculars: Eugene
Chamber of Commerce; Oregon Entrepreneurs Forum; Lane Venture
Forum; National Consortium of Entrenpreneurship Centers; Moot
Corp. Eligibility and Guidelines Committee; United States
Association for Small Business and Entrenpreneurship;
NCIIA.
SUPER CONNECTORS
Stanley Baron
President and CEO, Chetco Federal Credit Union, Brookings
Baron, 63, has led CFCU to be an award-winning credit union and
a positive community influence in Oregon’s Southwest
corner.
Favorite piece of
Oregon:
The 25-mile drive between Brookings and Gold Beach.
On Oregon’s business
climate: We exist in a micro-economic climate not
affected by global or national forces.
Work
style: Consultative and fun-loving.
What he wanted to be when he
grew up: I had no idea until I stumbled upon credit
unions. During my 35 years in the credit union industry, my
passion has grown consistently.
SUPER CONNECTORS
Chip Sammons
Owner, Holistic Pet Center, Clackamas
An expert in pet nutrition, Sammons, 57, is also a big promoter
of Clackamas County and serves on just about every board there
is in the area.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: Any place in Oregon that my children and I
visit together.
His work
style: Mach II with my hair on fire, balanced with
an understanding, open-minded and gentle nature. A least,
that’s what I tell myself.
Bold prediction for
'07: Members of the Oregon State Legislature and
Senate will buy into the concept that they are only parts of
the whole, and then realize that they must work together to
achieve success.
10
DELIVERING RESULTS:
Quickly approaching the top of their games, these leaders are
making a name for themselves in their industries — and
raising the profile of their communities in the
process.
DELIVERING RESULTS
Rob Shaw
President, TimberMill Shores, Klamath Falls
Shaw became a developer in Colorado before getting wind of a
50-acre parcel of prime waterfront land along Lake Euwana in K
Falls. Shaw and co. have set about turning the former mill site
into a forest of shops and downtown housing.
He
says: “Turning this parcel into a mixed-use
community is an opportunity I could not pass up.”
Favorite piece of
Oregon: Too many to list: Steens Mountain, Paisley
region, Lake of the Woods, Crater Lake.
Bold prediction for
'07: Smaller markets will outperform larger markets
until the overall economy corrects and settles
some.
DELIVERING RESULTS
Michelle Cardinal
CEO, Cmedia, Portland
After spending 13 years in direct marketing, Cardinal has a new
way to measure advertising’s impact. Instead of counting
how many people see them, Cmedia tracks how much revenue is
derived from them. It’s catching on:Cmedia’s
bookings topped $200 million in 2005.
Favorite piece of
Oregon: Mount Hood.
Currently reading:
The End of Faith by
Sam Harris,
blog.warriors and weasels.com
Business
climate: In L.A., it was difficult to create a
down-to-earth culture, keep employees and build a profitable
business. Here I’ve found a wonderful environment where
employees are in for the long haul.
DELIVERING
RESULTS
Steven Smith
CEO, Tec Laboratories, Albany
Smith has built a succesful development, testing and marketing
laboratory for consumer products such as insect repellent and
poison-ivy salve. In the process, he’s built a perennial
member of the Oregon
Business 100 Best Companies to Work For list.
Extracurriculars: Jehovah’s
Witness minister.
To-do list for the
governor:
Help science education; make Oregon more attractivce to high
technology and the pharmaceutical business.
What he wanted to be when he
grew up: Entrepreneur: To grow my own business and
be a positive influence.
DELIVERING RESULTS
Chris Marsh
President, Kronos Talent Management Division, Beaverton
An executive at several technology companies, Marsh, 44, hit it
big when he turned around Unicru in 2001. He revitalized
the worker screening outfit and sold it this summer to
Kronos.
Business
climate: Oregon doesn’t typically have a
large supply of angel and venture capital. But the quality of
living helps lure people who are key to executing business
strategy. That enables us to compete.
Bold prediction for
'07: The definition of security is radically
changing. We’re only beginning to comprehend what it will
take to create and maintain secure professional and personal
environments. Security will mean tremendous business
opportunities.
DELIVERING RESULTS
Sue Hildick
President, The Chalkboard Project, Portland
Once an aide to Sen. Mark Hatfield and an innovative director
for the local Red Cross, Hildick has helped elevate the
discussion about education in Oregon by replacing the tired
rants with solid policy goals.
Currently reading:
Design on Lime, Flowers with
a Twist by Anne Ryan. I’m starting my own floral
design business and I’m reading everything I can get my
hands on.
Work
style: Focused.
To-do list for the
governor: Oregon’s next governor should truly
be the education reformer who puts the state on a path to a
top-10 K-12 public school system. He should prioritize pre-K
and stablilize higher
ed.
DELIVERING RESULTS
John Anhorn
CEO, PremierWest Bancorp, Medford
Anhorn has been at the helm of two separate community banks in
the Oregon and was recenlty inducted into the Oregon Bankers
Hall of Fame. He’s also chairman of the SAIF Corp. board,
overseeing the accident insurance program.
Reading: Everyone’s a Coach by Don Shula and Ken
Blanchard.
Business
climate: Oregon is no longer a best-kept secret.
Businesses and individuals are finding out that the state
offers an expansive workforce, environmentally friendly work
sites and quality of life that’s unsurpassed in many
states.
To-do list for the
governor:
For safety and soundness of Oregon, double the State Police
Highway Patrol.
DELIVERING
RESULTS
Tony Hopson
CEO, Self Enhancement Inc., Portland
What started as Hopson’s extracurricular program for boys
in North Portland has grown into a national model for giving
kids a leg up in school and setting them up for success in
life. SEI now serves more than 2,000 kids.
Currently
reading: The
Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall.
What he wanted to be when he
grew up: My first love was basketball, and I
wanted to be in the NBA. Plan B was to become a teacher and
work to improve the community I grew up in. Plan B is now my
life’s work.
Work
style: Focused: on what needs to be done. Fluid: In
my daily approach, I go with the flow. Fun: I take time to live
life and enjoy the moment.
DELIVERING RESULTS
Steve Skaggs
President and CEO, Lattice Semiconductor, Hillsboro
With Skaggs at the helm, Lattice has been one bright spot in an
uneven recovery among semiconductor firms in Silicon Forest.
The company has been reporting steady, if modest, earnings
recently.
Extracurriculars: Local public
schools, UNICEF, Boy Scouts of America.
Work style: Make
a difference every day.
Currently
Reading: USA
Today sports.
To-do list for the
governor: My job is tough enough, so I
wouldn’t be so presumptuous as to tell someone else how
to go about theirs. I guess I would say, help business do what
businesses do best: create jobs.
DELIVERING
RESULTS
Mike Scanlon
General manager, Global Spectrum, Portland
Scanlon helped guide the Rose Quarter venues managed by Global
Spectrum — the Rose Garden Arena and Memorial Coliseum
— to a profit last year, while Paul Allen’s Trail
Blazers continued to hemorrhage money.
Extracurriculars: Oregon
Sports Authority, International Association of Assembly
Managers, Portland Public School Athletics, Portland Business
Alliance.
To-do list for the
governor: More emphasis on travel and tourism. A
lof of the country isn’t aware of what a great
destination we are.
Bold prediction for
'07: Another professional franchise makes serious
inroads toward playing here.
DELIVERING RESULTS
Dave Markowitz
Shareholder, Markowitz, Herbold, Glade & Mehlhaf,
Portland
Markowitz is frequently mentioned as one of the best trial
lawyers in Oregon. He also a frequent lecturer on litigation-
related topics and was a volunteer pro tem judge in Multnomah
County.
Extracurriculars: American
College of Trial Lawyers, American Board of Trial Advocates,
American Inns of Court, Multnomah Bar Association, St.
Andrew’s Legal Clinic
Currently
reading: Philatelic newspapers and magazines
(I’m an avid stamp collector).
What he wanted to be when he
grew up: I started as a printing engineering major.
After receiving an “F” in color because I was
partially color blind, I decided to give law a try.
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