((L-R) Don Paumier (moderator), Cornelius Edison, Sarah Mahnke, Steve Bettis and Ty Rupert spoke on employment and their personal careers at a recent COEC event | Photo by Leah Etling)
Business, nonprofit and public sector leaders shared insights on leadership, resilience and the evolving challenges facing Central Oregon during a Central Oregon Employer’s Council (COEC) event held April 29 in Bend.
Facilitated by COEC Board President Don Paumier, the panel featured Cornelius Edison, former NFL player and co-owner of Lift Fitness Studio; Sarah Mahnke, executive director of Thrive Central Oregon; Ty Rupert, Deschutes County Sheriff; and Steve Bettis, vice president of manufacturing operations at Medline Industries, LP.
Edison, who transitioned from professional football with the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings to entrepreneurship in 2020, emphasized the transferable nature of leadership skills across industries. Reflecting on his journey from NFL player to small business owner, he noted, “I realized that it’s the same game, just a different arena. You figure out how to communicate, find good teammates, develop a strategy.”
After relocating to Central Oregon and acquiring a fitness business just before the COVID pandemic, Edison and his wife Hannah relied on resilience and adaptability to navigate early challenges. In addition to operating Lift Fitness Studio, they are expanding their community impact through a nonprofit initiative, Lift The City, aimed at increasing youth access to fitness and wellness opportunities.
Mahnke provided insight into the region’s housing and resource landscape through her leadership at Thrive Central Oregon, an organization focused on connecting individuals with housing and support services. “Our work was really developed to make access to resources easier for people,” she said, describing her own social work background, where she connected with local houseless individuals each week at the local library.
Thrive Central Oregon has grown rapidly, with a staff of 14 now facilitating as many as 800 monthly appointments across Central Oregon through partnerships with regional health agencies and public agencies. Mahnke highlighted both the scale of need and the organization’s impact, noting that stable housing often leads to improved health and economic stability.
She also acknowledged ongoing financial pressures, including significant recent funding reductions tied to broader cuts in federal health-related programs. As a result, her organization is down $500,000 in budget this year and has had to reduce staff.
Bettis offered a look into the region’s advanced manufacturing sector through Medline’s Redmond operation, which specializes in reprocessing single-use medical devices. The facility employs nearly 400 people and continues to expand as demand for cost-effective healthcare solutions grows. “We basically bring them back to life… and sell them back to the customers at a cost savings,” Bettis said.
The process, which requires extensive FDA oversight and engineering expertise, reduces waste while helping healthcare providers manage rising costs. Bettis noted that the company’s growth reflects both innovation within the medical supply industry and Central Oregon’s increasing role as a hub for specialized manufacturing. He applauded the City of Redmond and Redmond Economic Development Inc. (REDI) for their pro-manufacturing outlook and support of local businesses.
Rupert closed the two-hour discussion with a personal account of perseverance and public service, detailing his lifelong path to becoming the interim Deschutes County Sheriff. He will run for the permanent job in November 2026. “It’s that heart of never giving up. Never give up, you just keep pushing through,” said Rupert, who followed in his late father’s footsteps by joining the Marines and eventually becoming a law enforcement officer.
Now leading a 238-person agency with a $71.5 million annual budget that’s responsible for public safety across Central Oregon, Rupert emphasized the importance of trust, accountability and operational discipline. Drawing on his experience in both the private sector and law enforcement, he described ongoing efforts to stabilize and strengthen the department while maintaining a high level of service to the community.
“We go into places that most people don’t want to go, and we eliminate threats… because our job is preservation of life. We are here to make sure you go home every day and your family is safe,” Rupert said.
Attended by around 75 community professionals, the COEC panel underscored a shared theme: effective leadership requires adaptability, perseverance and a sustained commitment to community impact.
