open for business magazine - august/september 12 issue

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THE EUGENE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: CElEBRATiNG…PROMOTiNG…iNFORMiNG BUSiNESS

Chamber program prepares future leaders for community stewardship

Rising to the Top

VOlUME 11, iSSUE 4 USA $3.95

CANADA $6.95

FEATURES

7 How Royal Caribbean’s strong

presence in Eugene and Springfield

reaches beyond its corporate investment in

the region.

22 Jenny Ulum shares

her reflections on

the Chamber Leadership

class of 1988.

COLUMNS/ DEPARTMENTS

4 YOUR CHAMBER WORKiNG

FOR YOU

15 QUESTiONS AND

ANSWERS

16 BUSiNESS NEWS

ADVERTISER INDEX

Publisher

David Hauser, CCE

Editor

Susan G. Miller, Director of Publications & Information Systems

Eugene Chamber Executive Committee

Marvin Re’Voal, Chair Pacific Benefit Planners

Sheryl Balthrop, Chair-Elect Gaydos, Churnside & Balthrop PC

Ann Marie Mehlum, Vice Chair Summit Bank

Eric Forrest, Past Chair Pepsi Cola Bottling of Eugene

Cathy Worthington, Treasurer Worthington Business Services

Advertising

Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce 541.484.1314

Design/Layout

Asbury Design 541.344.1633

Printing

TechnaPrint, Inc. 541.344.4062

Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce

1401 Willamette St. Eugene, OR 97401

541.484.1314

www.Facebook.com /EugeneChamber

Open for Business: A publication of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce (USPS-978-480).

Open for Business is published bimonthly by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce in February, April, June, August, October and December. Circulation: 4,700.

Open For Business © 2012

The subscription price is $25, included in membership. Periodicals Postage Paid at Eugene, OR.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 1107, Eugene, OR 97440-1107

FOR BUSINESS A

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THE EUGENE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: CElEBRATiNG…PROMOTiNG…iNFORMiNG BUSiNESS

Chamber program prepares future leaders for community stewardship

Rising to the Top

VOlUME 11, iSSUE 4 USA $3.95

CANADA $6.95

Royal Caribbean’s Rita Stolze talks about the dual global-local nature of their company. Page 7

COVER STORY >>

8 The Chamber’s Leadership Eugene-

Springfield program develops

individuals interested in creating a positive

future for the community.

Pictured: Tenille Woodward (top left),

Manager, Employee Benefits Services, Kernutt

Stokes CPA’s and Consultants; Kip Much,

Community Relations and Government

Affairs Manager, NW Natural; Maylian Pak,

Development Director, Eugene Symphony

Association; Julie Grossman, Associate

Director, Eugene Family YMCA and Daniel

Chávez (seated), General Manager, Eugene

Phoenix Inn Suites

Photography by Loveall Photo www.loveallphoto.com

Art direction and design by Asbury Design www.asburydesign.net

contentsA U G U S T/ S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2

EUGENE / SPRINGFIELD PORTLAND / VANCOUVER SEATTLE / BELLEVUE/TACOMA THERIGHTBANK.COM 541-686-8685

PAC-012 ~ Eugene Chamber ~ 4C ~ 7.375” x 4.8125”~ Aug/Sept 2012 ~ Vicki Gray

It only makes sense that the business partners you deal with day in and day out,

like Pacifi c Continental banker Vicki Gray, are fl uent in the language of your

business. At Pacifi c Continental, our bankers not only speak small business with

the agility of a CFO, they’re experts in delivering the fi nancial services you need,

when you need them…on your terms.

Banking on Your Terms Vicki Gray, Sr. V.P.Relationship Banking ManagerGreater Eugene

Working Capital

Remote Deposit

PayrollLLC

$PAC-012_EugeneChamber_4C_7.375x4.8125_Aug-Sept2012.indd 1 7/2/12 3:37 PM

5 Century Bank21 Chambers Productions/KEZI23 Eugene Airport16 Evergreen Roofing

8 Hershner Hunter, LLP6 Home Federal Bank17 Imagine Group2 Isler CPA

24 Kernutt Stokes 2 Pacific Continental Bank17 Servicemaster20 Sitttner & Nelson

18 Siuslaw Bank16 Summit Bank

A U G U S T/ S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 | O P E N F O R B U S I N E S S 54 O P E N F O R B U S I N E S S | E U G E N E A R E A C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

Entrepreneurs pitch ideas at Chamber-led Smartups Academy

SmartUps Academy is a year-

long Chamber-led training program

for early-stage businesses seeking

investment. The Academy starts with

three months of intensive weekly

trainings followed by nine months of

check-in meetings to stay on course.

This year’s participants concluded the

twelve-week training session with an

Investor Demo Day in July, showing

their products and making pitches to

investors. Supporting entrepreneurship

and early-stage companies is a key

economic development priority for the

Eugene Chamber.

The following companies

participated in the Chamber’s first

SmartUps Academy: Magneto

Organics, developer of innovative

reactors that lowers costs and improve

efficiencies for biofuel producers;

Pathfinder Learning Systems, a

personalized textbook for users to

access and learn from educationally

relevant multimedia web resources;

GladSpace, an online ad network that

is reinventing the world of mobile

advertising; ProContact.Me, developer

of a mobile optimized, web based

“business card” that ties into a quickly

learned, lightweight CRM;Coyle,

designer and manufacturer of patented,

certified wood shell bike helmets with

cork impact protection; and CellFyre, a

biotechnology tools developer.

Y O U R C H A M B E R W O R K I N G F O R Y O U

Eugene Chamber brings connections, information to local business leaders

Chamber analysis pegs growth of industry segments

Chamber and community leaders recently

toured the Life Technologies (Molecular

Probes) campus in Eugene. Life Technologies

serves as the leading provider of novel

fluorescent reagents and detection solutions

that advance scientific and biomedical research

worldwide. With approximately 300 chemists,

biologists and engineers from all over the world,

Life Technologies is a significant bioscience

presence in the Pacific Northwest.

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden meets with Vicki Gray, Senior Vice President of Pacific Continental Bank and Franklin Roome, Vice President-Sales and Marketing of Burley.

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden joined

the Chamber’s July Manufacturing

Discussion Group to better understand

challenges and opportunities facing

Lane County manufacturers while

providing updates on federal policies

important to that group. Manufacturing

Discussion Group is an extension of a

Chamber-led “Focus-on Manufacturing”

effort that provides training and

peer-to-peer connections for local

manufacturing/distribution company

leaders.

New website helps Eugene and Springfield area entrepreneurs

Local entrepreneurs now have a new, powerful online

resource called LaneBusinessLink (www.lanebusinesslink.

com) thanks to a collaboration involving the Eugene and

Springfield Chambers of Commerce, the cities of Eugene

and Springfield, Lane County’s Community and Economic

Development Department, and LCC’s Small Business

Development Center. LaneBusinessLink is a comprehensive

virtual one-stop resource for business combining local, state,

federal and best-of-the-web resources to help businesses

start and grow.

Bill Boyington, GladSpace; Mindy Frisbee, Pathfinder Learning Systems; Dan Coyle, Coyle; Geoff Miller, ProContact.Me and Paul Bentley, Magneto Organics.

Y O U R C H A M B E R W O R K I N G F O R Y O U

Sarah Mizejewski, City of Eugene and Glenda Poling, Lane County, joined Life Technologies employees for a tour of the facility.

A U G U S T/ S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 | O P E N F O R B U S I N E S S 7

Charting a steady course

S M A L L B U S I N E S S S P O T L I G H T

Chambers’ leadership program helps Royal Caribbean develop strong connections in the community

By Summer Young Jelinek

When Royal Caribbean opened its first remote contact

center in Wichita, Kan., the company’s reputation was

enough to entice seasoned travel industry professional Rita

Stolze to join ranks. “I was excited by the opportunity to work

for a leading global company in my own community,” she

said.

Fifteen years later, as the new site director of the Eugene

contact center, Stolze said the dual global-local nature of the

company remains an important part of Royal Caribbean’s

identity. “We maintain a strong local focus wherever our op-

erations are based,” she said. “From shore side to ship board,

Royal Caribbean is dedicated to making its communities

better places to live and work.”

Stolze said the Eugene-Springfield contact center is an

excellent example. The center handles nearly 75% of Royal

Caribbean’s North American trade inquiries and employs

more than 580 people locally. “The services handled at the

Eugene-Springfield site are absolutely critical to the com-

pany’s success, and the jobs created have had a significant

impact on the economy of Lane County,” she said.

But the company’s strong presence in Eugene and

Springfield reaches beyond its corporate investment in the

region. Since opening in 2005, Royal Caribbean has de-

veloped partnerships with many organizations and events

that strengthen the community. Through employee volun-

teerism, corporate sponsorships and in-kind giving, Royal

Caribbean has supported important community organiza-

tions such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Birth to Three

and Relay for Life.

The Eugene and Springfield Chambers’ leadership pro-

gram has helped Royal Caribbean develop strong connec-

tions in the community, said Stolze. “Our goal is to empower

employees at each of our site facilities to give back in ways

that improve the livability of their community,” she said.

“Having our managers complete the Leadership Eugene-

Springfield program has not only allowed them to connect

with community leaders and organizations that get them

more fully engaged in the community. It also helped them

hone their leadership skills so that they can effectively moti-

vate others to do the same.”Eugene AreaChamber ofCommerce

Rita Stolze says the dual global-local nature of Royal Caribbean remains an important part of the company’s identity.

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George Rode, OwnerAutohaus

A U G U S T/ S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 | O P E N F O R B U S I N E S S 9

Investing in Leadership

C O V E R S T O R Y

Leadership Eugene-Springfield program develops individuals interested in creating a positive future for the community.

By Summer Young Jelinek

Photos by David Loveall

As enrollment opens for Leadership Eugene-Springfield 2012, steering

committee chairperson Tenille Woodward wants potential participants to

know: you’ll be glad you made the investment.

“People aren’t always sure they want to make an 8 month commitment,”

says Woodward. “But universally, people love it. If you care about this commu-

nity, Leadership Eugene-Springfield will give you the skills and connections to

really have an impact. It’s worth it!”

Woodward was one of five graduates – all leaders in their respective in-

dustries – asked to share their experiences in Leadership Eugene-Springfield.

Overwhelmingly positive about the impact it had on their lives, they reflected

on how well the program – a joint venture of the Eugene and Springfield

Chambers of Commerce – achieves its goal of nurturing leaders who are

It’s not just our current mantra; it’s a belief that has guided us for years. Ever since Jim and Dave

set the example by charting a dramatic new course for Hershner Hunter back in the 1970s. It’s why,

today, we’re ahead of the game, having recruited strong new talent to take over for our seasoned,

Baby Boom Generation attorneys. And it’s why you can be assured that our legal expertise is

guaranteed to be around for another generation. Or two or three.

Our future is bright and getting stronger. You can rely on the strength of our next generation

as you develop yours. 541-686-8511 | hershnerhunter.com

A U G U S T/ S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 | O P E N F O R B U S I N E S S 1 11 0 O P E N F O R B U S I N E S S | E U G E N E A R E A C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

ently and challenge yourself so that your

preconceptions don’t limit the impact you

can have.”

GROWING LEADERSHIP CAPACITY

Leadership Eugene-Springfield partici-

pants not only explore the issues and op-

portunities facing the area, they also learn

the leadership skills needed to effectively

impact the direction of the community as

volunteer, elected and appointed leaders.

“The skills taught in the program help

participants succeed in leadership roles

and become more aware of their own

leadership styles,” said Woodward. “These

are real-world skills that have made me a

better manager.”

Leadership Eugene-Springfield covers

a different leadership skill each month.

Presented by experienced leadership

training and development consultants,

topics include team building, facilitation

and conflict resolution.

Phoenix Inn Suites general manager

Daniel Chávez said that participating in

Leadership Eugene-Springfield helped

him hone his leadership capabilities. For

example, he said it helped him become a

better communicator in all areas of his life.

“You learn that what you say and how

you say it can impact someone else in a

really positive or a really negative way,” he

said. “Learning to be concise and specific

has helped me communicate more effec-

tively both as a minister and a manager.”

DEVELOPING MEANINGFUL

CONNECTIONS

The relationships Leadership Eugene-

Springfield participants forge with

their classmates and volunteer faculty

strengthen their professional and personal

networks. Every year, graduates stress the

important role the program plays in form-

ing and maintaining deeper connections

throughout the community.

Having gone through a Chamber lead-

ership program in Salem prior to moving

knowledgeable, skilled, connected and

motivated to make a difference.

UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITY

INTERACTIONS

Effective community leaders un-

derstand the connections between the

economy, education, infrastructure,

government and other institutions. Lead-

ership Eugene-Springfield explores these

connections and the opportunities and

challenges that they present. Participants

emerge from the program with a better

understanding of how distinct parts of the

community fit together to make a cohe-

sive whole.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for people

to get a glimpse into many different as-

pects of the community and develop a

deeper understanding of the nuances of

the region in which we live and work,” said

Maylian Pak, development director of the

Eugene Symphony Association.

Each Leadership Eugene-Springfield

class focuses on a different issue of im-

portance to the community and includes

presentations by leaders in the field. Pak

believes it is a great way to understand the

context in which individuals and organi-

zations operate.

“It’s important to have a global perspec-

tive for your work,” she said. “Now, because

I know a little bit about all of these different

issues, I am better equipped to contribute

to the well-being of my community and

find ways my organization can collaborate

with other organizations that might seem

unrelated at first blush.”

Julie Grossman, associate director of

the Eugene Family YMCA, added that the

program taught her that listening is an im-

portant part of the lifelong learning good

leaders undertake.

“Most of us seem to have our minds

made up even if we don’t know a lot about

a subject,” Grossman said. “The Leadership

class reminds you to really listen to other

people’s views, think about things differ-

“Leadership Eugene-

Springfield does a great

job of presenting multiple

perspectives on important

issues and building trust and

empathy between the parties

so that really meaningful

conversations can take place.”

— Julie Grossman, class of 2009 Associate Director, Eugene Family YMCA

“The program made me realize

how many passionate and

talented people put forth

incredible effort every day to

make our community a special

place to live. By meeting

these people and learning

the motivations behind their

efforts, I have a much

greater appreciation

for our community.” — Kip Much, class of 2005 Community Relations and Government Affairs Manager, NW Natural


Eugene, a comprehensive, community-

based planning process to develop a 20

year growth plan for the city.

“It was great to be able to come to

the table with other people in the com-

munity, filter information about the city’s

needs through my value system and

have the courage to express what was

important to me,” she said. “Leadership

Eugene-Springfield definitely bolstered

my confidence to add my voice to the

decision-making process.”

GOOD LEADERS, GOOD

COMMUNITIES

“A strong community needs strong

leaders,” said Chávez. Like the other four

graduates interviewed, he highly recom-

mends Leadership Eugene-Springfield to

anyone who wants to be more involved

in the community.

Woodward added that while the pro-

gram is a great introduction to the com-

munity for newcomers, even long-time

residents will benefit.

“It really doesn’t matter if you’re a na-

tive or a transplant, or whether you’re a

new or seasoned professional,” she said.

“Regardless of your background, you will

learn skills and build relationships that

will prepare you for effective leadership.”

to Eugene, Kip Much of NW Natural en-

rolled in Leadership Eugene-Springfield

because he knew it was a great way to

meet people.

“Despite the prevalence of electronic

communications, business is still pri-

marily about relationships,” he said. “The

leadership program is a great way to meet

key players in the community and begin

developing trust.”

Much said his participation in Leader-

ship Eugene-Springfield opened the door

to many relationships that have been

invaluable to his work as NW Natural’s

community relations and government

affairs director. “Through the leadership

program, I met many of the elected offi-

cials in our community, and was also able

to develop partnerships with some amaz-

ing nonprofit organizations,” he said.

CONTRIBUTING TO A HEALTHY

COMMUNITY

After gaining exposure to a host of

topics and leaders, Leadership Eugene-

Springfield participants often become

passionately involved in the community.

Many of the community’s current volun-

teer leaders – from local city councilors to

nonprofit board members – are Leader-

ship Eugene-Springfield graduates who

are using the knowledge, skills and con-

nections they gained in the program to

define and create a positive future for the

region.

“It’s amazing to see people become

empowered leaders through this pro-

gram,” said Woodward. “It helps them

identify what they’re passionate about

and realize that they do have the skills, the

knowledge and the connections to impact

the direction this community takes.”

“The program does a really great job of

connecting the dots between the issues

our community faces and the impact you

can have if you get involved,” said Gross-

man.

After going through the program,

Grossman participated in Envision Eugene AreaChamber ofCommerce

“By explaining the social

and political intricacies

of the region, Leadership

[Eugene Springfield] helps

you redefine your work

in a community context.

— Maylian Pak, class of 2009 Development Director, Eugene

Symphony Associaton

“It’s easy to become

too comfortable in your

leadership style. ... The

program introduces people

to knowledgeable local

leaders whose insight can

help them develop their

own leadership capabilities

and effectively gauge when

change is needed.”

—Daniel Chávez, class of 2005 General Manager,

Eugene Phoenix Inn Suites

Be part of the next Leadership class

Class size is limited and

the application process for

Leadership Eugene-Springfield is

competitive. Each year, up to 28

participants are selected to join

this distinguished program. Story

on page 14

Eugene AreaChamber ofCommerce


L E A D E R S H I P E U G E N E - S P R I N G F I E L D

Application deadline approachingSince 1986, the Eugene and Springfield

Chambers of Commerce have jointly

sponsored Leadership Eugene-Springfield,

a program designed to meet our area’s

need for the active participation of knowl-

edgeable, networked, skilled, involved

and passionate leaders. The mission of

Leadership Eugene-Springfield is to de-

velop leaders who are involved in creating

a positive future for the community. The

program provides the opportunity for local

professionals to broaden their knowledge

and awareness of community issues and

develop their leadership skills. It also helps

participants build a network of contacts

among their classmates and presenters.

The Leadership Eugene-Springfield

program meets one full day each month

for eight months. The program curriculum

consists of two distinct elements, (a) an in-

depth examination of the Eugene-Spring-

field region and how it has developed, and

(b) a review of key volunteer leadership

skills. Each session is devoted to a different

community topic such as local govern-

ment, education, public safety, health and

human services, land use and the arts. A

host of current community leaders join

the class to discuss their expertise in the

topic at hand. A public safety presentation,

for example, may feature discussions with

local police chiefs, the district attorney and

a judge, as well as a tour of the federal court

house.

In addition to exploring a community

topic, each class day features instruction

in leadership skill building, led by local.

experts. Leadership skills addressed in-

cluds: meeting facilitation, team building,

conflict resolution, media relations, and

volunteer management.

Class size is limited and the application

process for Leadership Eugene-Springfield

is competitive. Each year, up to 28 partici-

pants are selected to join this distinguished

program. Tuition for the Leadership

Eugene-Springfield is $900 and covers all

program costs, meals and materials and is

typically provided by a candidate’s employ-

er, a sponsor or the candidate. Scholarship

assistance may be available to individuals

who otherwise would be unable to par-

ticipate. The application deadline for the

2012-2013 Leadership Eugene-Springfield

class is August 13.

For more information contact the Eu-

gene Chamber at 541-484-1314.

leadershipeugene-springfield

we create leaders

“The local leaders that Leadership Eugene-Springfield recruits to present topics are truly amazing. There were so many light bulb moments and I remember thinking ‘If everyone in the community had this opportunity to hear the issues from the source, we’d all be so much better prepared to address those issues in a positive way.’”

— Tenille Woodward, class of 2007 Manager, Employee Benefits Services, Kernutt Stokes CPA’s and Consultants

Q U E S T I O N S A N D A N S W E R S

Randy Hledik Director, General Services Wildish Land Co.

What motivated you to get involved

on the Eugene Planning Commission?

I chose to get involved specifically on

the planning commission after watching

previous members grapple with ever

more complex and challenging legal and

technical land use issues. I thought with

my educational background and work

experience I could contribute a level of

informed reasoning to the process.

What goal/work during your time

on the board/commission are you

most proud of?

There isn’t just one recommendation

or decision that stands out during the

7+ years I’ve served on the planning

commission. Rather, taken as a whole

I have found it rewarding to work with

all the other commissioners who, while

we each have our own perspectives and

biases, genuinely do our best to arrive

at conclusions that are based on sound

judgment and are as fair as possible to all

parties concerned.

Why would you encourage others to

get involved in the community?

Yes, of course, because as Shakespeare’s

Coriolanus said, “the people are the city”. A

person can sit on the side lines and grouse

about the way things are done, or he or

she can roll up their sleeves and engage in

democracy. It’s a challenging, frustrating,

invigorating and rewarding experience.

Jennifer Olson-Morzenti Project Manager, EHS and Facilities Life Technologies

What motivated you to get involved

on the Toxics Right-To-Know board?

I was motivated to get involved with the

Toxics Right-To-Know board by my desire

to learn more about the board and the

use of the information that manufacturing

companies, such as Life Technologies,

are required to report. It was also a great

opportunity to network with other local

business representatives and members of

the community.

What goal/work during your time

on the Toxics Right-To-Know board

are you most proud of?

Nanotechnology was the big buzz during

the time that I was on the board. Since Life

Technologies manufactures nanoparticles,

I took the opportunity to educate the board

about the process in which the particles

are made, how environmental and safety

monitoring is conducted and the usages of

the particles.



Getting involved in the community

provides opportunities to network with

other companies, to share best practices

and acquire help on like issues, and establish

relationships with local officials and

regulators.

James Manning Eugene Water and Electric Board Commissioner - Elect

What motivated you to get

involved on your various boards and

commissions?

What motivates me to get involved on

boards and commissions is the privilege

to voluntarily serve my community with

the people’s best interest in mind. I offer

my leadership and experience without

a personal hidden agenda. From a

government perspective, I believe that

Boards and commissions are designed to

give community members a voice in the

decision making process. A seat at the

table to take part in influencing decisions

that shape the quality of life for the people

and communities they serve. Participation

on a board or commission is one of the

most effective steps a citizen can take in

becoming an active voice in the community

or government.



I would encourage others to get involved

in the community because we need each

other. I believe that we are only as strong as

the most venerable amongst us. We need

wise caring leadership that promotes equity

and embraces community diversity. These

are key community essentials especially

during these economic depressed times.

I encourage others to get involved with

neighborhoods and other community

programs. Together we are the difference

makers. Eugene AreaChamber ofCommerce

Open for Business talked with three local business leaders about their involvement in the community



Merrie M. (Kim) Kelly of

Long Term Care Associates,

has been recognized by the

American Association for

Long-Term Care Insurance

with a 2012 Achievement

Award as a leading long-

term care insurance professional in Oregon.

Kelly also received the 2011 “Health Agent of

the Year” award from the State of Oregon

National Association of Insurance Financial

Advisors.

www.longtermcare-ltca.com

Evergreen Land Title Co. is pleased to announce the

addition of Deena Roche,

Christie Bonar and John Kapihe to Evergreen’s REO

escrow team. All three have

extensive backgrounds

in real estate lending and

will play a vital role in Evergreen’s new REO

department.

www.evergreenlandtitle.com

Brandon Richardson of the Golf with Freedom Lesson Center has been nominated for the

2011 Oregon PGA Teacher of the Year award.

Richardson has expanded his operations to

include programs in Eugene and at the Desert

Princess Country Club Resort and Spa in Palm

Springs, Calif. He has also added a new putting

workshop to his offerings.

www.golfwithfreedom.net

Sheryl Balthrop of Gaydos Churnside & Balthrop

has received the Lane

County Bar Association’s

2012 Andrew Clement Pro

Bono Award. The award

honors an individual who

has provided exceptional service to persons of

limited means. Balthrop was honored for her

work with ShelterCare.

www.oregonlegalteam.com

Sarah Brandenburg, JD,

has joined Roehl & Yi Investment Advisors LLC

as a financial paraplanner.

Bradenburg is securities

licensed and is a member

of the Oregon Bar. Her

responsibilities include client relations, financial

planning analysis and office administration.

www.roehl-yi.com

PROMOTIONS/NEW HIRESPhotos appear left to right from top

Oregon Community Credit Union announces

the following new

hires: Amy Brannan,

senior human resource

generalist; Chris Bernard

(not pictured), IT

manager; Dave Schiffer, director of finance; and Bob Potter, director

of credit cards.

www.oregoncommunitycu.org

Cosette Rees has been

promoted to the position

of manager of customer

and accessible services

at Lane Transit District. Rees has been with LTD

since 1996 and previously

held positions as a marketing representative

and as a public involvement specialist

working on the District’s bus rapid transit

project. She replaces Terry Parker, who

retired in June.

www.ltd.org

The Active 20-30 Club of Eugene #920 is

pleased to announce

their new board of

directors: Autumn Cummings (pictured),

president, Selectemp;

Shannan Odum (pictured), 1st vice president,

Industrial Source/National Fire Fighter

Corp.; Meghan McMahon (pictured), 2nd

vice president, Cascade Title Co.; Kate Miles, recording secretary, Levi Strauss &

Co.; Jeff Singer, treasurer, Umpqua Bank;

Justin Dougherty, director, Roehl & Yi

Investment Advisors; Grace Riggs, director,

Personnel Source; Rogelio Cassol, director,

Arnold Law Firm; Tate Namle, director,

Nationwide Agribusiness; Tenille Woodward,

activator, Kernutt Stokes; and Michelle Christensen, immediate past president,

Peacehealth.

www.eugene2030.org

WHEN

IT’S

GO

TIME.

541.684.7500

SUMMITBANKONLINE.COM

96 EAST BROADWAY

EUGENE, OR 97401

Summit team members (left to right): Chris Hemmings and Mara Hooker.

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Vans. Trucks. Wraps.

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People. Places. Products.

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ImagineGroup.com 990 Garfield • Eugene, OR 97402 • 541.485.2994

Signs. Banners. Tradeshows.

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Megan Livermore was

named 2012-13 president

of Oregon Women

Lawyers (OWLS) for

2012-13. Oregon Women

Lawyers is committed

to the advancement of

women and minorities in the practice of law,

including racial and ethnic minorities and

members of the LGBTQ community. With

more than 1200 members, OWLS is the third

largest bar organization in the state.

www.oregonlegalteam.com

Local marketing agency

bell+funk is pleased

to announce that Ali Fishner has been hired

as an account executive.

Fishner previously

worked at R/West in

Portland.

www.bellandfunk.com

Shirley Lyons, AAF, PFCI, owner of

Dandelions Flowers & Gifts, was selected

as one of eight judges for the Portland Rose

Festival’s 100th Anniversary Grand Floral

Parade.

www.dandelionsflowers.com

Citizens Bank is pleased to announce that

Chris Kline has joined its Springfield office

as vice president and commercial loan

officer.

www.citizensEbank.com

Valley Credit Service

is pleased to announce

the promotion of Alice Ray-Graham to chief

marketing officer for

the Pacific Northwest

region. Ray-Graham was

also awarded the President’s Award by the

Oregon chapter of Healthcare Financial

Management Associations (OHFMA).

Kathleen Downey has

joined Willamette Valley Restoration as

sales and marketing

manager. Kathleen will

focus on Willamette

Valley Restoration’s

continual development of relationships and

will coordinate marketing and business

development strategies.

www.wvrestoration.com

James Lindly, director

of the Lane Community College Small Business Development Center, received the Oregon

Small Business

Development Center

Networks 2012 STATE STAR designation.

The Lane Transit District board of directors has

elected new officers.

Greg Evans (pictured),

APTA Region VI

Representative and

Executive Committee

member, will serve a 2 year term as board

president; Doris Towery, vice president;

Gary Gillespie, secretary; and Ed Necker, treasurer.

www.ltd.org

Beverly Andrews is celebrating 30 years

as a wardrobe consultant with Doncaster Clothing & Accessories. Andrews hosts

trunk shows in her home boutique every

season.

www.doncaster.com

Can the Clutter ®,

Professional Organizing

and Productivity

Consulting Service, is

happy to announce

the addition of

Steve Schuler to the

Productivity Consulting side of the business.

Schuler has over 30 years of business

process improvement experience and will

be focused primarily on Can the Clutter ®

corporate clients.

www.cantheclutter.com

Elmina Mike, Hybrid Real Estate, received

the 2012 Realtor of the

Year award from the

Springfield Board of

Realtors.

www.hybridrealestate.org

Jessica Gee of Vibrant Health, is a certified

health coach, as well as a licensed massage

therapist and a personal trainer/weightlifting

coach.

www.jessicagee.info

Dave Dodge has been

hired for the position of

senior network analyst

at Pacific Continental Bank. Dodge will

work from the bank’s

headquarters in Eugene.

www.therightbank.com

BUSINESS NEWS

Jones & Roth CPAs and Business Advisors

has been named one of the Best Public

Accounting Firms for Women in the nation.

This is the third year the firm has won the

award, presented to just 10 accounting firms

nationwide.

www.jrcpa.com

The Eugene Symphony received nearly

$25,000 in grant from three Pacific

Northwest granting institutions: James

F. Marion L. Miller Foundation; Charlotte

Martin Foundation and Lane County Cultural

Coalition.

www.eugenesymphony.org

The legal and business office of Café Yumm! has been recognized by the Oregon State

Bar Sustainable Future Section as a “Partner

in Sustainability.”

www.cafeyumm.com

Johnson Crushers International (JCI) has

hired over 50 new associates between

January and June of 2012. That represents

a combination of assemblers, welders,

machinists, mechanics, shipping/receiving,

sales and engineering positions.

www.kpijci.com

Laurel Hill Center recently presented its

annual Community Award to three local

Episcopal churches, honoring them for

providing homeless people with Home

Starter Kits for the past 18 years.

www.laurel.org

Innsight Hotel Management Group was

recently honored by Marriott International

with six awards for their work in 2011.

www.innsighthmg.com

New Chamber member

Kayla Thompson Design

invites you to www.

kaylathompson.net for

your web and graphic

design needs.

Thanks For Holding, a Eugene-based

marketing company, has changed its name

to In Business Media to better reflect

its expanded offerings. In addition to its

original telephone hold content services, the

company now operates a background music

service called Best Business Music and a

new business television content division

called Business Digital Signage.

www.inbusinessmedia.com

Laura Berry (pictured)

and Tim Berry have

started Eugene Social, a

social media consulting

company. Eugene Social

can help you learn and

manage your social

media presence, with an emphasis on

Twitter and Pinterest.

www.eugene-social.com

Serenity Lane Health Services Foundation

has selected its inaugural board: Larry Bradley, Chocolate Decadence; Dean Hansen, Pacific Continental Bank; James Koons (not pictured); Pat Straube,

Dari-Mart Stores and Paul Weinhold, UO

Foundation.

www.serenitylane.org

KUDOS

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Lane County (CASA) received multiple-

year grants from the Meyer Memorial Trust

($175,000 over 3 years) and The Collins

Foundation ($40,000 over 2 years). The

grants will support CASA’s 5 year expansion

plan to more than double the agency’s

service capacity and reduce its cost-per-

child by almost 40%. CASA’s goal is to

provide a volunteer advocate to every

abused child in need.

www.casa-lane.org

Kendall Toyota will continue to contribute

over $20,000 each month to the 4J and Bethel School Districts during the 2012-

2013 school year. Information on the

program and how individual schools can

earn cash at Kendall Toyota can be found at

www.KendallDriveForEducation.com.

The Oregon Ethics in Business (OEIB)

Awards, presented by the Rotary Club

of Portland and Willamette University’s

Atkinson Graduate School of Management,

have honored three Eugene Chamber

members 2012in 2012: George Rode, AutoHaus/Euro-Asian Automotive/Stadium Automotive in the individual

category; NextStep Recycling, not-for-

profit category; and Wildish Companies in

the business category.

Richard Wingard, president, Rotary Club of Portland; Jim Wildish, president, Wildish Companies; Yvonne Wildish; and Julie Olson, committee chair.

Steve Thorsett, president, Willamette University; and Lorraine Kerwood, executive director, NextStep Recycling.

Richard Wingard, president, Rotary Club of Portland and George Rode, AutoHaus/Euro-Asian Automotive/ Stadium Automotive. PhOTOS BY ANDIE PETKUS PhOTOGRAPhY

B U S I N E S S N E W S B U S I N E S S N E W S

541.342.4000siuslawbank.com

Jeff GusinowSenior Vice President & ManagerMedical & Professional Banking Group

Dr. Steven OfnerOphthalmology

Eugene Oregon Eye Care

Strength. Stability. Service.

It’s all about theRelationship atYour CommunityBank for BusinessAs part of our community,we take pride in the personal relationships we’ve developed with local businesses. Our loan decisions are made locally and involve short turnaround time. Stop by one of our 10 Lane County offices to see why at Siuslaw, it’s all about the relationship.


For the sixteenth consecutive year, SELCO Community Credit Union has awarded

scholarships to Oregon high school

seniors for their scholastic achievement

and community involvement. Fourteen

deserving recipients were chosen to receive

$1,500 scholarships to be used toward their

college education.

www.selco.org

Ruby Porter Marketing + Design

announced BRING Recycling and NextStep

Recycling as winners of the Ruby Porter

Gives Back Program for the spring quarter.

The program is designed to honor nonprofit

organizations that make a difference and

inspire their local communities. Ruby Porter

awards up to $2,500 in design services per

quarter.

www.rubyporter.com

The Active 20-30 Club of Eugene #920,

through the club and its foundation, proudly

allocated monies to the following local

children’s charities: Birth to Three, $3500

(Club); Boys & Girls Club: $800 (Club) and

$1700 (Foundation); Courageous Kids:

$1000 (Club) and Willamette Farm & Food

Coalition Farm to School Project: $1500

(Club) and $1000 (Foundation).

www.eugene2030.org

The Lane Community College Small Business Development Center (above)

has received the 2012 Small Business

Development Center Excellence and

Innovation Award from the U.S. Small

Business Administration for both the SBA’s

Oregon and Southwest Washington District,

as well as Region X, which includes Alaska,

Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

www.lanesbdc.com

DePaul Industries president & CEO Dave

Shaffer was honored with the 2012 Ernst &

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in

the Pacific Northwest.

www.depaulstaffing.com

McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center provided a unique educational experience

to a seventh grade class from Cascade

Middle School. The Cascade students

submitted the winning entry in The

Human Heart Contest, which was open to

all seventh grade classes in the Eugene-

Springfield area. Classes were asked to

submit a video, essay, collage, sculpture, rap

or other creative project that they felt best

represented the heart. Seven members of

the Cascade class wrote, acted, filmed and

edited the winning video, which was both

creative and humorous.

www.mckweb.com

B U S I N E S S N E W S


The Arts Foundation of Western Oregon

Fund (AFWO) of The Oregon Community Foundation recently announced more than

$360,000 in grants to Lane County arts

organizations through the Silva and Hult

Endowments. Receiving grants from the

both the Silva and Hult Endowment were:

Eugene Ballet Company, Eugene Opera,

Eugene Symphony, Oregon Bach Festival;

and The Shedd. The Eugene Choir received

a grant from the Silva Endowment. www.oregoncf.org

NEW MEMBERS

When you join the Eugene Area Chamber

of Commerce, you become part of a vibrant

and prosperous community of creative

entrepreneurs, forward-thinking innovators

and visionary business leaders. We’re

pleased to welcome these new members

who have chosen to take advantage of the

Chamber’s tools, resources and expansive

network to grow their businesses:

American Family Insurance - Brian J. Westerberghttp://insurance-agency.amfam.com/OR/brian-jon-westerberg/

Association for Direct Instructionwww.adihome.org

Branches of Valorwww.branchesofvalor.org

EMERGENCEwww.4emergence.com

Eugene Socialwww.eugene-social.com

Full Life Programswww.fulllifeprograms.com

Johnson Crushers International (JCI)www.kpicji.com

ODS Companieswww.odscompanies.com

Representative Val Hoylewww.valhoyle.com

Premier Securitywww.premierprotects.com

Pressure Point Roofing, Inc.www.pressurepointroofing.com

Promised Land Consultingwww.promisedlandconsulting.com

Property Management Conceptswww.eugenerentals.com

Revoalutionwww.revoalution.com

Rivers Edge Events LLCwww.riversedgeevents.com

roseSoft Designwww.rosesoftdesign.com

Singing Dog Vanillawww.singingdogvanilla.com

Kayla Thompson Designwww.kaylathompson.net

Wireless Sourcewww.wirelesssource.us

B U S I N E S S N E W S

Business News covers promotions,

hires, awards, business giving and

business news. E-mail items to

[email protected].

2 2 O P E N F O R B U S I N E S S | E U G E N E A R E A C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

G U E S T O P I N I O N

Some reflections on the Leadership class of ’88By Jenny Ulum

I HAD NO IDEA WHAT to expect when I walked into my first Leadership Eugene-Springfield class

in September of 1987. A newlywed, I had just moved back to Eugene and was beginning a new

job in community relations for Sacred Heart General Hospital.

Sometime between the time I was offered the job and when I arrived in town, my boss had

signed me up for this program.

That first day, we went around the room to introduce

ourselves and describe why we were there. “I’m not sure”

seemed like a very unleader-like answer, so I probably

mumbled something about being grateful for the oppor-

tunity. My classmates’ self-introductions made clear that I

was in terrific, and more enlightened, company.

I quickly discovered that the program is a commit-

ment. It’s never easy to take a full day off work and devote

it to civic engagement. Telephone messages in the days

before voice mail were piling up in my absence and would

be demanding attention when I returned to the office.

Information came at us so fast and furious that my brain

was on “tilt” by the end of the day.

Still, “Leadership Days” were fascinating. A who’s who

of Eugene-Springfield came to us, and I learned more

about my community in those eight sessions than I could

have in years on my own. I learned about Robert’s Rules of

Order from the legendary Orlando Hollis, who could have

been the inspiration for the law professor played by John

Houseman in the 1980s TV series “The Paper Chase.” We

met in places I never knew existed and I made friends with

people I might not otherwise have met.

I distinctly remember a presentation by two women –

one from the city of Eugene and one from the Riverfront

Research Park – that was notable not only for the content

but also for the obvious camaraderie that existed between

them. I recall thinking that I would enjoy knowing them,

but it seemed unlikely. Not only do I now consider both

good friends, but I eventually had the privilege to serve on

the Riverfront Research Park Commission.

While the Leadership

program may not have

yielded as many candidates

for public office as was

originally envisioned, it

has certainly served as

a wellspring of talent for

this community’s many

nonprofit organizations.

Shortly after my graduation

I was taken to coffee by a

board member of the American Cancer Society, who had

seen that I’d been an ACS volunteer in Seattle prior to

moving to Eugene. Soon I was serving as president of the

local ACS chapter, and since that time I have served on

countless boards, committees and task forces, including a

term as chair of the board of the Eugene Area Chamber of

Commerce.

In 1995 I went off on my own and started a public

relations firm. It grew rapidly and many of my first clients

came from the connections I made in Leadership and

my subsequent chamber involvement. As often happens,

much of the information I learned in the program has

faded from memory, but the friendships we forged endure.

Successful people in business understand that leader-

ship is vital to any enterprise. Thanks to our local cham-

bers of commerce and the countless volunteers who have

built this program, we have made our community a better

place through the awesome power of leadership. Eugene AreaChamber ofCommerce

PO Box 1107Eugene, OR 97440-1107

kernuttstokes.com1600 Executive Parkway, Suite 110, Eugene, Oregon 97401 – 541.687.1170

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