New board of directors will play a strategic role in guiding Central Oregon’s economic future.
Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) recently announced at the organization’s annual meeting the election of six of its 37 board of directors. Three of the elected members are new in joining the board while three have been re-elected. EDCO’s board elections are held every two years.
“The EDCO board has always been a source of inspiration and guidance,” said Roger Lee, executive director of Economic Development for Central Oregon, “and I look forward over this next year to working with the newly elected board.”
New to the EDCO Board:
Eric Strobel is a 20 year resident of Central Oregon with vital regional business contacts, both public and private. Prior to becoming the Area Manager for Barrett Business Services, Inc., he worked as the Business Development Manager at Economic Development for Central Oregon and as a GIS and District Manager at Central Electric Cooperative. Community involvement has always been a priority for Eric, as is evidenced by his extensive civic participation. Board Participation includes the Partnership to End Poverty (chair), the Rotary Club of Bend, Economic Development for Central Oregon and the City of Bend’s Economic Development Advisory Board. He has chaired or co-chaired the Business Resource Network, the Rotary Youth Leadership Camp and the Bend 2030 Vision Task Force while also helping with the Friends of the Library, the United Way, Opportunity Knocks co-facilitator, Deschutes County Forgivable Loan Fund Committee and coaching soccer for Bend Parks and Recreation. Eric’s experience allows him to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by EDCO. Eric will be an asset to the board for his knowledge of what it takes to work in the economic development trenches while at the same time developing high-level strategy to make the organization solid, resilient and valuable to the community.
Jade Mayer has over 20 years of experience in accounting and business. He started his career in public accounting with KPMG prior to moving to Bend, OR and has been with Brooks Resources since 1999, currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer. Jade has a long history of public service; he currently sits on the City of Bend’s Budget Committee, is a board member and the treasurer for Deschutes River Conservancy, is a board member and treasurer of Visit Bend and is a board member and the treasurer for the Central Oregon Trail Alliance. He has also served in the past as the Chair of the Deschutes County Audit Committee and was a past board member of J Bar J Youth Services. Jade enjoys the outdoors and spends as much time on rivers and his mountain bike as time allows. He believes in EDCO’s vital role in the Central Oregon community and is looking forward to helping EDCO fulfill its mission through his many business skills.
Steve Curley has worked in branding and marketing for over 25 years. He is the Interim Director at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at COCC, founder of Blue Space Markets and is a board member for Opportunity Knocks. Steve enjoys working with companies that are making an impact in their industry and contributing to the local Central Oregon economy. He has helped numerous companies develop clear and concise brands which allowed them to increase revenue and move to the next level in their markets. He holds an AS degree in Computer Science from Broome Community College in New York and a BS in Management from Linfield College. Steve is married to Jennifer and has eight wonderful children. Steve has been involved with EDCO for many years supporting their mission, serving as a committee member and working with them to grow the local economy. He is committed to helping sustain a growing economy in Central Oregon by bringing a stronger base of companies and helping the local businesses to become more successful so that our children can make a sustainable living here in the future. His experience in working with businesses will complement the EDCO board and will help in achieving the mission of a thriving economy.
Returning to the EDCO Board:
Wes Price is currently serving on the EDCO Executive Committee as Treasurer and is a past President. Wes is a 32-year resident of Bend and partner of the community’s largest accounting firm, Harrigan Price Fronk & Co LLP. His area of specialization includes small businesses and closely-held corporations, Public Utility Commission regulatory matters, businesses in the manufacturing, hospitality and real estate development industries, and accounting and auditing for businesses and local governments. Wes has a reputation of providing business clients such comprehensive tax, accounting and management advisory services that many regard him as their controller. Among others, he has served local utilities, resorts, developers, manufacturers and small businesses, with community service always top of mind. Wes is a very active civic volunteer. In addition to serving as an EDCO Board member and participating in the organization’s Executive Committee, he is a past president of the Bend Chamber of Commerce and currently is vice-chair of Rural Development Initiatives. He is also the current chair of the Business Oregon Finance Committee, which oversees the Oregon Business Development Loan Fund and other business assistance programs for the State of Oregon. Wes has a high interest in both regional and statewide economic development, including legislative influence wherever possible to facilitate business growth.
Darren Powderly challenges himself to look for better ways to maximize value, enhance efficiency and increase profits for his commercial real estate owner & occupant clients. He consistently ranks as a top producer and has successfully negotiated $200,000,000 of commercial real estate transactions since moving to Bend in 2003. In addition to taking care of clients, Darren is the President of Compass Commercial Real Estate Services, the region’s largest commercial real estate firm. Building upon his 15 years business experience in real estate and technology, he recently started a new company based in Bend called CrowdStreet, a nation-wide capital marketplace connecting accredited investors with high-quality investment real estate. CrowdStreet’s mission is to empower individual investors by democratizing investment real estate. Darren is very active in Central Oregon community improvement programs. He is a big supporter of OSU-Cascades, currently serves on the EDCO Board and contributes to a variety of local philanthropic organizations. Through being involved with EDCO since 2003, Darren has seen and been impressed with the EDCO staff and the way they live their mission of diversifying the regional economy. He believes in helping EDCO “get the job done” in an effort to improve the quality of life in Central Oregon.
Katie Tank has over 25 years of experience in labor and employment matters, representing and advising employers in all aspects of the employment relationship. Now with Tank Law, she was named The Best Lawyers in America 2013 “Lawyer of the Year” Litigation – Labor & Employment Eugene Area, recognized in 2012 and 2013 by Best Lawyers in American in labor and employment law, and included in the Oregon Super Lawyers list by Thomson Reuters (2009-2013) for labor and employment. Katie is an EDCO past president (2010-2011), and has served on its Executive Committee since 2006. Other civic involvement includes the Oregon Employer Council Central Oregon (COEC), Current Chair and Board Member (2009-present); the Deschutes Children’s Foundation, current President and Chair and Board member; Bend Economic Development Advisory Board (BEDAB), current Board member; Bend Chamber of Commerce, Past President and Board member (2006-2012); Oregon State Bar Labor & Employment Section, Executive Committee; and Human Resources Association of Central Oregon (HRACO), Past-President, Board Member (2001-2011) and Legislative Affairs Chair. Katie shares EDCO’s vision of a thriving and sustainable Central Oregon and is excited to continue contributing her experiences and connections with a diverse range of employers and businesses throughout the region to help EDCO meet their expanding goals and challenges that lie ahead.
About Economic Development for Central Oregon
Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is a private non-profit corporation founded over 30 years ago and dedicated to building a vibrant and thriving regional economy by attracting new investment and traded-sector jobs (manufacturing, professional, headquarters and high technology businesses) through marketing, recruitment and substantive assistance to existing companies. Learn more about EDCO at www.edcoinfo.com.
