Enterprise Magazine Spring 2018

Economic Development in Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley

Technology: The competitive advantage

Spring 2018

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Spring 2018 Features 4 Technology Keeps Businesses Competitive

In this Issue 2 3

SEDCOR Events The necessity of technology in changing times President’s Message by Chad Freeman

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Business Profiles Agriculture Capital • Freres Lumber Co. • Salem Health • West Coast Companies

11 Insights from the Customized Training Team at the Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry - Celia Núñez 12 Economic Development News

T3:Training Teens for Tomorrow • SEDCOR • Career Technical Education City of Independence • Oregon Fruit Products

16 New Members 7 Degrees Training & Consulting • Capital City Press • Dale Carnegie rmg consulting

22 Awards & Honors VanNatta Public Relations • Automation Solutions • Capital Auto Group Cherriots • GK Machine • Salem Convention Center & Allied|Video • Travel Salem Chemeketa Cellars • White Oak Construction • Keizer Chamber of Commerce

25 People Chemeketa Community College • Cherriots • Dale’s Remodeling • Earthlight Technologies • Powell Banz Valuation • Salem Electric • Studio 3 Architecture

28 Philanthropy Oregon State Credit Union • Salem Contractors Exchange

29 Products, Programs & Projects AKS Engineering • Benedictine Brewery • Compex Inc. & Salem Business Computers • Corban University • Larsen Flynn Insurance

29 New & Renewing Members On the Cover

A robotic claw effortlessly places 50-pound bags of split peas at Columbia/Okura in Vancouver, Wash. Photo by Kristine Thomas

7 Degrees Training & Consulting.................................... 1 AC+CO Architecture........................................................17 Bank of the Pacific............................................................12 Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry...............20 Cherriots ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 4 Citizens Bank ��������������������������������������������������������������������19 City of Monmouth �����������������������������������������������������������12 City of Salem ���������������������������������������������������������������������19 Coldwell Banker Commercial.........................................25 Compex Business IT Solutions.........Inside Front Cover Covanta Marion................................................................14 Dalke Construction Co. ��������������������������������������������������25 Datavision............................................................................. 6 Earthlight Technologies...................................................23 EnergyTrust of Oregon ���������������������������������������������������27 Express Employment Professionals �����������������������������14 First Call Home Health Care..........................................25 Grand Hotel.......................................................................21 Green Acres Landscape ��������������������������������������������������19 Huggins Insurance............................................................22 LCG Pence......................................................................... 16 Multi/Tech Engineering...................................................28 Oregon Cascade Plumbing & Heating.........................24 Oregon Garden Resort ���������������������������������������������������10 Overhead Door Company................................................ 9 Pacific Power ��������������������������������������������������������������������26 Personnel Source..............................................................12 Powell Banz Valuation.....................................................15 Power Auto Sales..............................................................21 Project Delivery Group ���������������������������������������������������13 Rich Duncan Construction ��������������������������������������������23 Salem Contractors Exchange.........................................14 Salem Convention Center ������������������������������������������������ 3 Salem Electric....................................................................24 Santiam Hospital...............................................Back Cover Select Impressions �����������������������������������������������������������29 Sherman Sherman Johnnie & Hoyt, LLP ��������������������27 SVN Commercial Advisors..............................................26 Ticor Title ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8 White Oak Construction ������������������������������������������������18 Willamette Valley Bank ��������������������������������������������������11

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1

SEDCOR Events ECONOMIC BUSINESS FORUM Wednesdays, March 14, April 11, June 13, noon to 1:30 p.m. at Broadway Commons.

Executive Council Chair

Kevin Cameron

Mark Hoyt

Marion County Commissioner

Past Chair

Financial Representative, Northwestern Mutual

Rich Duncan

Theresa Haskins

Partner, Sherman Sherman Johnnie & Hoyt, LLP

President, Rich Duncan Construction Inc.

Secretary/Treasurer & Chair Elect Daryl Knox Partner, The Aldrich Group, CPA

Members at Large Patricia Callihan-Bowman

Brent DeHart

Business Market Manager Portland General Electric

Nathan Levin

Owner, Nathan Levin Company

Steve Powers

City Manager, City of Salem

Board of Directors Ryan Allbritton

Bruce Anderson

Regional Community Affairs Manager, NW Natural

Ricardo Baez

Diana Knous

Regional Business Manager, Pacific Power

Jennifer Larsen Morrow

President, Creative Company, Inc.

John Lattimer

President, Don Pancho Authentic Mexican Foods, Inc.

Chief Administrative Officer, Marion County

Chuck Bennett

Owner, Turner Lumber, Inc.

Mayor of Salem

David Briggs

Trial Lawyer, Partner, Saalfeld Griggs PC

Cathy Clark

Mayor of Keizer

Alan Costic AIA

President, AC+Co. Architecture

Amy Doerfler

Secretary/Treasurer, Doerfler Farms, Inc.

James Dooley

President, Larsen Flynn Insurance

Michael Fowler

CEO, CabDoor

Lesa Goff

Rod Lucas

Johnny Mack

Executive Dean of Career and Technical Education Chemeketa Community College

Dan McDowell

President/CEO Willamette Community Bank

Kim Parker-Llerenas

Executive Director, Incite, Inc.

James Parr

CFO, Salem Health

Craig Pope

Mark Raum

Dave Hays

Scott Snyder

Byron Hendricks

Eric Jamieson

Regional Manager, The Grand Hotel in Salem

Randy Stockdale

Foundation Director, Legacy Silverton Medical Center

Phil Taylor

Attorney/Shareholder Garrett Hemann Robertson P.C.

Department Administrator, Kaiser Permanente

George Jennings

President, The Ulven Companies

Counsel to the President, Mountain West Investment Corporation

Jamie Johnk

Dan Ulven

Steve VanArsdale

General Manager, Garmin AT, Inc.

Economic Development Director, City of Woodburn

Ken Jundt

Regional Manager, Columbia Bank

626 High Street NE, Suite 200 • Salem, OR 97301 503-588-6225 • Fax 503-588-6240 • info@sedcor.com • www.sedcor.com

2 Enterprise Spring 2018

Economists study a wide variety of topics relevant to the business and policy communities. In the inaugural event sponsored by SEDCOR and The University of Oregon’s College of Arts and Science, the Willamette Valley Oregon Economic Forum features guest speakers Tim Duy, director of Oregon Economic Forum and University of Oregon professor; Claudia Sahm, section chief of the board of governors for the Federal Reserve System and Michael Kuhn, assistant economics professor at the University of Oregon.

Watch for invite in your mailbox.

SEDCOR GOLF TOURNAMENT Mark your calendars for the 18th annual SEDCOR Golf Challenge on June 15 at Illahe Hills Country Club. The 36-scramble tournament fills up fast, so start recruiting your four-person team.

Jim Rasmussen President/CEO, Modern Building Systems, Inc. VP Commercial Lending, Umpqua Bank

President, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate Professionals

2018 WILLAMETTE VALLEY OREGON ECONOMIC FORUM

Polk County Commissioner

Senior Vice President/Loan Team Leader Wells Fargo Bank Partner, LCG Pence Construction, LLC

Those are the key ingredients for SEDCOR’s Economic Business Forum lunches, held on the second Wednesday of the month, except in July and August. Lunches open to members and nonmembers.

An inaugural event, “Economics – More than Forecasting” is 7:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday, May 10 at the Salem Convention Center.

Owner/Career Coach, Express Employment Professionals

Region President, US Bank

Interesting and timely topics. Good food. Bringing community members together to network and learn.

SHARE YOUR NEWS If you are wondering how companies were featured in SEDCOR’s Enterprise magazine, the answer is this – they submitted their news.

If you want to share your businesses’ news with SEDCOR members, send a Word Document with your company’s name and your logo. The categories are New Members; Awards/Honors; People; Products, Programs and Projects and Philanthropy.

The theme for the Summer magazine is Second Time Around. We are looking to interview companies who recycle or reuse materials to make new products. If you are interested in being interviewed or sending in material, please email Kristine Thomas at kthomas@sedcor.com.

The deadline to submit materials is April 1.

Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley Technology Industry

The necessity of technology in changing times

Chad Freeman SEDCOR President

As the father of a 3-year-old girl and 4-year-old boy, I cannot help but wonder what their world will be like when they are my age.

Their childhood has more gadgets and gizmos than mine did. As the oldest of seven kids, I think my parents probably wished they had an iPad to give us to watch a movie on a road trip.

At 43, I have seen how technology has played a role in every aspect of my life.

In the last three decades, the United States has seen staggering technological advances. In 1984, only 8 percent of the households had a personal computer, the World Wide Web wouldn’t make its debut for another five years and cell phones were the size of a brick.

Nowadays, almost everyone at a coffee shop is on their cell phones, iPads or laptops, which have also become essential in conducting business.

There’s a proverb that reads, “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

If you pause to ponder all the inventions throughout your lifetime, it becomes evident someone saw the need for something and figured out a way to make it happen.

The question for businesses becomes how can they utilize technology to meet the demands of their customers, be competitive and help them manage

their time.

Serving Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties, SEDCOR has worked with countless clients who used technology specific to their industry.

There are companies designing and creating new products and ones using technology to track logistics, data and results. Others use technology to protect valuable information.

One concern I have heard numerous times is technology is replacing humans.

Yes, that’s true but mostly in areas where people don’t want to do the work, whether it’s stacking 50-pound bags of grass seed or sorting hazelnuts.

In most cases, the people doing the backbreaking work are retrained to operate the robotic equipment or work in other positions.

As a business owner or manager, the question of using technology comes down to: Is this best practice for my company?

From learning about the technological advances being used and created by businesses in Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties, it’s my hope whatever changes are ahead will be ones that make our lives healthier and safer while allowing businesses to continue to compete on the national and international market.

— Chad

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Enterprise Spring 2018

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Technology keeps businesses competitive

by Kristine Thomas The excitement level is notable whether it is Merrissa and Andrew Burleigh of West Coast Companies in Salem discussing automatic palletizers or Tom Avinelis of Agriculture Capital explaining how blueberries are photographed to detect any defects such as bruising or discoloration.

Their eyes lite-up as they discuss how technology is a game-changer for their business.

“We use algorithms to determine the quality of each blueberry,” Avinelis said. “The whole goal of using technology is to make certain we deliver the highest quality blueberries to our customers.”

From farmers and land surveyors using drones to food processors to metal manufacturers using robotic equipment, traded-sector businesses in Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties understand technological advancements are a necessity to remain competitive in today’s marketplace.

high levels of accuracy before incorporating new systems into our daily work.“ Carlson said.

AKS’ lead drone surveyor Josh Kowalski said using drones allows them to “fly” to a site in a few hours, compared to a few days for a conventional field crew.

The data captured by a drone can often be processed in a few hours and results in detailed imagery that can be used for drafting existing conditions plans and general visualization purposes.

“Drones are another tool in a land surveyors toolbox, but these systems, like any other technological advancement, require rigorous training, careful quality assurance/ quality control procedures, and a deep-rooted understanding of tool and data limitations,” he said. “If used properly in the right application, drones can collect an immense amount of accurate data in a much shorter amount of time.”

Technology in your business

As a senior financial advisor at Capstone Wealth Advisors in Salem, Ryan Skogstad works with about 125 clients.

In trying to research investments, manage client portfolios, and communicate and meet with clients, time becomes a valuable commodity. His time is much better spent in meeting or talking with clients, rather than fumbling through outdated technology. And if the stock market goes up or dives, it’s possible he could have 125 clients wanting answers to questions in one day.

In 2017, Capstone Wealth Advisors implemented a new software platform to provide its clients with quicker access to their individual portfolios.

“Each client can access their account information online and be able to drilldown into what makes up their portfolio and current positioning,” Skogstad said. “The new technology gives us another platform on how we share information with our clients.”

On a regular basis, each client is receiving a written statement from him as well as a summary of current standing. This individually tailored statement allows him to reach each client frequently, saving him time to do more face-to-face meetings.

“The old system we used was more generic and driven by constraints driven from a large firm rather than the client,” he said. “The goal of our new independent platform is to be more transparent and communicate frequently. We are providing clients with more information and making it more accessible for them to obtain and understand.”

When deciding how to use technology to provide your company a competitive advantage, experts advise looking at how technology can benefit each area and function. For example, if you provide smart phones and computers to your employees, what features or programs will best help them do their jobs?

Throughout Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties, technology is being used in a variety of ways from designing and creating new products and services to how technology can solve problems such as labor shortages, meeting customer demands or selling on a global market.

“Technology is key to keeping businesses competitive,” Andrew Burleigh said.

SEDCOR sent out a request to its members asking for how they use technology. Here are a few who shared their stories.

AKS Engineering & Forestry The use of drones is on the rise in many industries and surveying is no exception where drones allow surveyors to collect data more efficiently.

An associate at AKS Engineering & Forestry, Blair Carlson said AKS is always evaluating the newest technologies to assess how they can be used to advance its workflow.

“Because so much rides on the accuracy of our work, we perform rigorous tests to ensure that any new tool meets 4 Enterprise Spring 2018

Capstone Wealth Advisors

Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley Technology Industry

Besides providing transparency, the new system also empowers clients.

“We made the transition to be on the forefront of technology and to be meeting our clients’ needs in the best way possible,” he said.

Creative Company Celebrating Creative Company’s 40th anniversary, Jennifer Larson Morrow has seen her industry change from typesetting and drawing boards to design software. Larson Morrow has always had an interest in technology to create award-winning marketing, advertising and design projects.

Technology has been vital to her business from emails to websites and billing to design work.

“In 40 years, the biggest changes I’ve seen in what we do and how we do it is technology,” she said. “Moving from hours of hand work to create layouts and provide art to printers to the speed and flexibility of what we do digitally. Of course, websites are now central to marketing and social media adds a new layer of marketing and advertising opportunities.”

Earthlight Technologies Working with Earthlight Technologies General Manager Jordan Sinn, NW Hazelnut Company in Hubbard is the world’s first 100-percent solar-powered hazelnut processing facility. The solar panels from Earthlight Technologies are produced from recycled materials.

Encouraged by Ferrero, an Italy-based chocolate company that produces Nutella, NW Hazelnut Company decided to switch to solar energy to save money on energy costs and be an environmental steward.

Consumers also reward forward thinking companies and companies like supplies that are sustainable, NW Hazelnut Director of Sales Rick Peterson said.

Sinn said when a business uses solar energy, there are other motivators besides saving money.

“Some businesses want the marketability aspect of being a sustainable business, others want to lower and fix their operation expenses while hedging against rising energy costs,” Sinn said. “The panels have come down in cost over the years and also are more efficient and boast a 25-year warranty.”

With the common goal to eliminate or reduce energy costs, Sinn said he works with many businesses from different industries to see if solar is a good fit. www.sedcor.com

Oregon State Credit Union After 30 years with the same system, Oregon State Credit Union searched for a new system that was flexible enough to grow with it and meet the every changing needs of its membership.

Last year, Oregon State Credit Union switched to Corelation for its KeyStone processing system, because the new system supports the credit unions need to improve its technology.

Corelation President/CEO Theresa Benavidez said the new technology will provide Oregon State Credit Union with the ability to integrate in real-time to third parties of their choice, “which will enhance their value to their members exponentially well into the future.”

Oregon State Credit Union President/CEO Rick Hein said the credit union will benefit from the KeyStone technology being designed on industry Enterprise Spring 2018

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TECHNOLOGY continued from page 5 standard platforms and making its KeyBridge API available to the industry. Because of KeyStone’s intuitive interface and numerous operational efficiencies, it will allow the credit union to spend more time finding solutions for members.

“We conducted an extensive review of several alternatives and determined that Corelation and the KeyStone system is a breath of fresh air to core operating systems and the credit union industry,” Hein said. “Corelation wants us to succeed using their innovative state-of-the-art Keystone program. Their software is designed from the very beginning with the goal of taking full advantage of the latest technology. The cultures at both of our organizations align extremely well and prioritize a genuine concern for member service.”

West Coast Companies From food processors to seed companies, West Coast Companies has assisted many manufacturers in 14 states incorporate automation into their facilities.

Andrew and Merrissa Burleigh of West Coast Companies met with a manufacturer they represent, Columbia/Okura in Vancouver, Wash., with Natalie Parsons, the marketing manager. Columbia/Okura manufacturers and designs robotic palletizing systems for a wide variety of end user products Clients visit the facility to view how their equipment will operate before it is shipped to its final destination. During the Burleigh’s visit, boxes moved on a conveyor belt then were grouped before an end-effector grabbed and stacked them on a pallet.

Recognized As One Of Oregon’s Healthiest Employers

Andrew, who is 6-foot, 3-inches, pointed to a pallet stacked taller than him with 50-pound bags of Kentucky bluegrass. For two healthy adults, it would take more than 10 minutes to stack 40, 50-pound bags, he said, adding for the automatic pick and place, it takes less than 2 minutes.

“It’s not an easy job lifting bags all day and stacking them,” Andrew said.

Watching a robotic claw effortlessly and swiftly grab, lift and place 50-pound bags of split peas, Parsons said she has heard people voice concerns about robots taking jobs. However, she stressed that’s not the case, especially in today’s market.

“The employees who used to hand-stack pallets are being retrained to operate the robots,” Parsons added. “We have one client who learned to reprogram its robot to shoot basketballs.”

From their experience working with clients, Andrew and Merrissa said the labor shortage combined with changes in immigration and labor policies have led companies to invest in automation. They have had company presidents call them after having to stack bags to get shipments out on time.

“Technology isn’t taking jobs away. It’s redefining positions of current employees and giving the processors more options,” Merrissa said. “With automation, the machines can be working 24-hours a day. Technology has proven to be reliable, faster and in turn it saves the bodies of valued workers, allowing them to be transitioned into safer, less physically demanding, positions.

It’s a win-win for the processor and the employees.”

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PROFILE

INNOVATIONS IN TECHNOLOGY

A mandatory ‘background check’ is required of all blueberries processed at Agriculture Capital’s plant in Sublimity before they can be sold to consumers.

On a rainy January morning, Tom Avinelis and Will Susich gave a tour of Agriculture Capital’s blueberry processing plant with its state-the-art technology.

Agriculture Capital is a sustainability-driven agriculture and food investment firm that currently manages two investment funds in permanent cropland and synergistic midstream assets to create a vertically integrated enterprise that grows, packs and markets high-value produce. AC’s vision is a world where more people have access to food that is better and healthier for their families, while improving the land and the communities in which it operates. AC currently owns and operates farms and facilities in the Western United States focused on citrus, hazelnut, wine and table grape and blueberry crops. It sells its blueberries throughout the U.S., Canada and international markets, including blueberries grown on 1,400 acres in Oregon.

Avinelis is a principal at Agriculture Capital, with responsibility across its sustainable agriculture strategies. Susich is the Northwest operations associate for AC. In late 2016, AC purchased a former tree seedling plant off of Highway 214 near Sublimity and spent several months getting it ready for its first blueberry season in the summer of 2017.

Susich said the company is currently working to complete phase two of expanding the building from 44,000 square feet to 74,000 square feet for the 2018 blueberry season.

“We chose Sublimity because it’s central to our properties and has great farmland for blueberries,” Susich said. Walking through the facility, Avinelis recalled how blueberries were sorted, packaged and shipped more than 20 years ago.

With blueberries tumbling along a conveyor belt about the length of half a basketball court, 18 to 25 employees would hand-sort the good blueberries from the bad, he said.

“Everything was done manually,” Avinelis said. “From the sorting to the packing.”

Compare that to today’s technology, he said.

The blueberries are picked and delivered to the plant’s cold storage room before they are placed in the sorting machine.

Every blueberry has its photo taken, while algorithms determine if it has any bruising, defects or it is too ripe or under ripe.

“The camera can see inside the blueberry,” Avinelis explained. “The goal of our sorting system is to make sure we deliver the highestquality blueberry to our customer every time.”

Once the blueberry has a “photo record,” it is sorted into one of three categories. The best of the bunch go to the “fresh market,” sold by Hurst’s Berry Farm in McMinnville. The bruised berries are

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Tom Avinelis and Will Susich

frozen and the last category is used to make juice.

Avinelis said each package of blueberries is labeled, so if it’s delivered to Boston, there is a tracking number indicating where the berries were picked and processed.

For Susich, working on the cutting edge of an industry and being involved with all the people who make things happen is the best part of his job. Implementing the new technology stems from two factors, Avinelis and Susich said.

The first is food safety. “With today’s technology, the consumer is purchasing the safest food it has ever purchased,” Avinelis said.

The current labor shortage also has led many food-processing companies to adapt technology into their plants, Susich added.

From sorting to packing the berries and labeling and shrinkwrapping the clamshells, the use of technology fills in for many jobs people don’t want to do all day.

“The jobs we have today require a higher level of technical expertise and pay better,” Avinelis said. “They are not the backbreaking labor that pays minimum wage.”

At its peak between late June and mid-August, the plant will have 75 employees.

Last year, AC processed 9 million pounds of blueberries, which equals more than 12 million pints. Once the plant is running a full-production, the goal is to process 25 million pounds a year.

“AC is dedicated to growing healthy food, contributing to our community and supporting the local community,” Avinelis said.

“We see the opportunity to utilize technology to make Oregon agriculture successful now and into the future.”

Enterprise Spring 2018

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INNOVATIONS IN TECHNOLOGY PROFILE

Using familiar “ingredients” with a pioneering twist, Freres Lumber Co. developed an innovative recipe to create Mass Panel Plywood or MPP, a new product set to revolutionize the wood products industry.

“We are essentially combining veneer in previously unexplored formats, orientations and density configurations to create MPP,” Freres Lumber Co. Vice President of Sales Tyler Freres said.

Already creating a national and international buzz before it’s mass-produced this spring, MPP can be used for floors and walls in commercial and residential buildings.

Describing MPP as a massive, large-scale plywood panel with dimensions up to 12-feet wide, 48-feet long and 24-inches thick, Tyler said panels are customized for specific projects. Panels for a home will be cut to specifications to include doors and windows.

“Once the MPP panels arrive at the job site, the construction crew puts it together like a giant Lego set,” Tyler said. “Because everything is ready to be assembled, it will save construction time.”

The idea for MPP generated from a trip Tyler took with his twin brother Kyle in 2015, when they, along with representatives from Oregon State University’s College of Forestry and the Center of Advanced Wood Products, visited Germany to learn about Cross Laminated Timber (CLT).

“While CLT is a beautiful product, I knew we could do something better,” Kyle said.

Facing hurdles including competition from wood product imports, government restrictions on available timber to harvest and labor shortages, Tyler said MPP addresses all three challenges.

Tyler said MPP and CLT differ in that MPP uses engineered veneer to create an engineered Structural Composite Lumber for a base material rather than using lumber as CLT does.

“CLT and MPP are game changers for the construction industry because they allow wood elements to be prefabricated in a factory environment,” Tyler said. “The end result is a much more rapid construction process with less waste and less labor.”

When T.G. Freres started his company 95 years ago, he ran a horse logging crew. Employees lifted wood onto the machines to be milled.

Freres Lumber Co. Vice President of Sales Tyler Freres Touring the MPP Plant, his grandson, Tyler, said MPP “would not be available without modern technology.”

A “giant traveling robot” moves along a rail to cut the wood. Sensors grade the wood’s strength. Towering, giant “claws” effortlessly grab and lift the wood panels. Measuring 48 feet long and 800 pounds, Tyler said the panels would be “impossible to lift without the robotic arms.”

“The current evolution of technology has allowed us to create a large format panel extremely efficiently, safely and cost effectively,” he added.

While the MPP plant will employ 16 people, Tyler emphasized the 480 employees at its five plants depend on its operation.

As his family’s company celebrates its 95th anniversary, Tyler hopes MPP provides new opportunities for the construction industry, reaches new markets and carries Freres through another 95 years.

“This product leverages every piece of machinery at every Freres plant to make MPP,” Tyler said. “MPP has the ability to dramatically change the West Coast veneer and panel products industry.”

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Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley Technology Industry

PROFILE

INNOVATIONS IN TECHNOLOGY

A critical care nurse for more than 20 years, Leah Mitchell recalled the challenges of straining to decipher a doctor’s cryptic handwriting.

“As nurses, we often used to rely on each other to interpret handwriting quickly,” she said.

Twenty years ago, she couldn’t use a computer to ask a doctor a question and technology was not available to facilitate communication.

“It wasn’t the safest way to do things,” she said.

Skip ahead to 2018 where doctors enter their prescription orders into a computer and each patient is given a bracelet with a barcode.

“To ensure a patient receives the correct medication, a nurse will scan his barcode,” Mitchell said. “Along with other safety measures, barcode scanning gives us a way to ensure patients are getting the right medications at the right time.”

As the chief information officer and vice president of Kaizen, Quality and Safety at Salem Health, Mitchell has seen how technology has benefited healthcare, resulting in improved patient care. Salem Health’s medical technology ranges from a pacemaker the size of a large vitamin capsule to advanced imaging to SimBaby, a life-like manikin that allows staff to practice a number of patient care procedures.

While cutting-edge technology and medical practices are used to treat patients from the emergency department to delivery rooms, Salem Health applies a technology even more critical to ensuring each patient’s care: its key strategy is to empower its frontline employees.

Mitchell is the liaison responsible for supporting the integration of Kaizen principles to improve quality and safety for patients.

Kaizen is a Japanese term meaning continuous improvement.

“I am responsible for continuous improvement to the quality of patient care and safety along with the emergency preparedness for the hospital,” Mitchell explained. “Achieving that goal requires collecting and analyzing data in order to know what areas are

Leah Mitchell, left, with her team from Salem Health performing well and what areas have room for improvement.”

From the opioid crisis to the flu to mental health issues, tracking health issues provides Salem Health with information on how to care for its community, Mitchell said.

Recognizing there is a community-wide opioid crisis spurred Salem Health to open the Salem Health Pain Clinic, allowing people currently relying on medicine for pain relief to explore other options, including physical therapy, mental health counseling or yoga classes.

Salem Health plans on implementing virtual healthcare, where a patient will be able to send a photo or question to a doctor, who would then respond. Virtual visits would allow patients who live a distance from their doctor or don’t have life-threatening emergencies to get their questions answered.

Mitchell said Salem Health uses technology to collect feedback from its employees. “They are on the frontline and they see what needs to be addressed,” Mitchell said, “and how we can improve patient care.”

Mitchell said Salem Health uses technology to track information on how to achieve its goal to continuously improve the care of its community.

“By using technology if we see a problem, we are able to address it and improve upon it quickly,” she said.

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Enterprise Spring 2018

9

INNOVATIONS IN TECHNOLOGY PROFILE

West Coast Companies.

When Dwayne Hayden started working in the processing equipment industry in 1988, seed-processors were seeking options on how best to integrate new equipment with the latest technology into their processing lines. Recognizing an opportunity for both the agricultural community and his business, Dwayne decided to establish

“He wanted to create a business that was one stop, one shop for the customers,” his daughter and Marketing Director Merrissa Burleigh shared. “At West Coast Companies, we work with our customers to put all the pieces together for their processing needs and we are there for the client after the equipment is installed.”

A veteran, family-owned and operated corporation based in Salem, West Coast Companies specializes in the sale and distribution of processing, handling, packaging, and storage equipment for companies in 14 Western states. Their customers vary from agriculture to minerals and dog food to breweries. Working with well over 50 manufacturers, and the latest processing technology, West Coast Companies can integrate equipment into existing lines as well as design and install complete processing plants. “We are a niche company due to the variety of the equipment we can provide our clients,” Merrissa said.

From three-dimensional facility drawings to using FaceTime to communicate between the office and job site, Merrissa said technology has changed how West Coast Companies does business.

“There is a lot of new technology that has improved communications and planning between customers and West Coast Companies, which has allowed us to grow,” her husband and General Manager Andrew Burleigh said.

What hasn’t changed at West Coast Companies is their firm belief in providing excellent customer service, Merrissa said. Customers feel supported, not only while purchasing the equipment, but through the life of their equipment, via service and preventative maintenance options through their affiliate agricultural construction company, American Ag Systems.

Andrew said most are their clients are through referrals.

“They will tell us that their neighbor used us and they trust what

Merrissa and Andrew Burleigh their neighbor says about the quality of our work,” Andrew said.

Andrew said it takes about two years for a company to get its return on its investment for a robot.

“Using a robot, they see increased production and reduced labor costs,” he said West Coast Companies starts by learning what a customer needs and then working with the customer to put together the pieces.

For example, a frozen vegetable plant may need a conveyor to move the packaged product, a robotic palletizer to pick up and stack the product onto a pallet and then a stretch wrapper to secure the load for transport.

West Coast Companies selects the equipment, draws plans up showing the integration of the various pieces of equipment, and then installs the final product.

What is exciting for Andrew and Merrissa is the possibilities of how technology can be used to assist businesses.

“We enjoy finding solutions for our clients and helping them increase their productivity to get their products to market,” Andrew said. “We believe technology is the answer.”

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Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley Technology Industry

INSIGHTS FROM THE CUSTOMIZED TRAINING TEAM AT THE CHEMEKETA CENTER FOR BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

Using Technology for Small Business Growth I think it is safe to say technology today or even yesterday moves at “warp speed.” In fact, it moves so incredibly fast that it is hard for many small businesses to embrace the newest technology and incorporate it into their business practices before the next big thing hits the market.

Celia Núñez, Director Small Business Development Center Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry

Technology for small businesses used to simply involve what kind of computers to buy.

Today it encompasses equipment, marketing, communications, data storage and security, among others. Foreseeing what the newest technology might be and if it will stick around long enough to take advantage of or invest in can be extremely difficult. For example, marketing for small businesses used to involve an ad in the local newspaper or maybe the local radio and TV stations. Now a business owner has to incorporate a website, social media, online reviews, apps, etc. And as soon as you’ve learned all the new programs and made the changes, there’s something new to do. Best-practices change.

Facebook algorithms change. Protecting client data suddenly becomes a critical consideration.

It seems like every day there are emerging and innovative trends that could literally take up a business owner’s entire day with no time left to actually do what the business does. As we enter into 2018, there are several technology trends we see our small business owners contemplating:

• How much cloud storage should we have for our business?

• Do we provide our employees the ability to work remotely?

• Should we use a remote way of holding meetings? i.e., Skype, Zoom, Periscope or FaceTime among a few available.

• Do I invest the time, energy and money to learn the Google Drive file storage and synchronization service created by Google?

• Do I start a Facebook page for my business?

If I have already started a FB page, do I hire someone to maintain it?

• Do I create a LinkedIn page?

• Do I start a Twitter account, Instagram, or Pinterest?

• Do I need to be concerned about cybersecurity?

If you’ve been pondering any of the above or aren’t sure which ones to even start pondering, schedule an advising session with one of our business advisers. The best way to learn what technology avenues to explore is asking for assistance. Give us a call at 503-316-3232 or visit us at www.bizcenter.org

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Enterprise Spring 2018

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Training Teens for Tomorrow From poverty to gang violence to unstable home lives, many children and teenagers in Marion and Polk counties face challenges that throw their futures off track.

Fortunately, the T3: Training Teens for Tomorrow program at the Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties is dedicated to providing opportunities for children and teens to build a great future.

Through community connections and a teen education and employment program, they are given the resources and opportunities to excel as they prepare for college, career and beyond.

Through the T3 program, youth in grades 9-12 have access to career exploration, college tours, academic support, individual case management and workforce development leading to a paid internship opportunity every summer.

The T3 program meets each teen where he or she is in life including addressing the barriers blocking their goals and helping them plan for their future. Teens are matched with a dedicated mentors to help them realize their dreams.

“I didn’t think joining one program would change everything,” club member and T3 participant Dayanara A. shared. “But, it did!

In joining this program I felt safe, comfortable, and surrounded by positivity and success.”

She’s thankful for all the T3 The program, especially one-on-one support.

Dayanara credits her experiences and mentors in the T3 program as motivation for raising her grades from all Fs to being recognized on the honor roll. She’s dedicated to her schoolwork and her goal to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Through a new partnership with SEDCOR, local businesses are encouraged to share their time and talent to prepare the next generation of employees, leaders and contributors to our community.

There are mentor opportunities in career exploration, workforce development and work experience. Here’s your chance to invest in local teens and share what is possible for them to achieve with the guidance and encouragement from community members.

For information or to get involved, contact Yanira Herrera, the Career Connections Manager, T3: Training Teens for Tomorrow at 503-581-7383 x36 or yherrera@bgc-salem.org

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Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley Technology Industry

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS

SEDCOR welcomes Alex Paraskevas How Alex Paraskevas is feeling about starting his new job at SEDCOR is how he would like everyone to feel about a new job.

“I am so excited for all the possibilities and the opportunities with this job,” he said. “It’s a way to have a tangible impact and make a difference in the communities SEDCOR serves.”

Thanks to a grant from the Ford Family Foundation and support from Polk County, the city of Independence and SEDCOR jointly hired Paraskevas to work as a rural innovation catalyst and the business retention and expansion manager for Polk County.

Paraskevas will work with Independence Economic Development Director Shawn Irvine on the Smart Rural Community effort to encourage the establishment and growth of technology and agriculture-based companies in Polk County. The Regional Innovation Catalyst also will work to foster entrepreneurship and STEAM education programs.

Irvine said Independence has already had success linking agriculture, technology and rural communities. Hiring Paraskevas is an opportunity to continue to grow businesses and workforce in the area, he said.

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“Alex brings an inquisitive mind and go-getter attitude. He is quick to see connections and understand what people need,” Irvine said. “I’m excited to get started and see where we can go together.

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SEDCOR President Chad Freeman said Paraskevas will serve as the business retention and expansion manager for Polk County.

“We are excited to see where his energy, enthusiasm and knowledge takes us as we work directly with business to grow jobs for Polk County and the region,” Freeman said.

A 2006 University of Oregon graduate, Paraskevas (pronounced Pa-ra-skeh-vas) grew up in Salem, graduating from South Salem High School in 2002. Both his parents are professors at Western Oregon University in Monmouth.

For 10 years, Paraskevas worked at Willamette University, serving as assistant director of alumni communication and then as the associate director of research and prospect management.

“Economic development is a field which has captivated my thinking as it provides the change to meld my personal interests with my professional aspirations,” he said. “I am truly excited about working for SEDCOR and believe what SEDCOR does has a meaningful impact in helping our communities and changing people’s lives.”

Paraskevas can be reached at 503-837-1803 or alexp@sedcor.com

(503) 364-4004 www.pdgnw.com 3772 Portland Rd NE Salem, OR 97301 Enterprise Spring 2018

13

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS

School districts receive CTE grants In Oregon, 205 school districts received a total of $10.3 million in Career Technical Education (CTE) Revitalization grants.

The grants serve programs focusing on advanced manufacturing, engineering, agricultural science, aviation, robotics, forestry, home construction/renovation and biomedical/health sciences.

“Our state’s ability to attract and retain good jobs is fundamentally linked to the availability of a skilled workforce,” Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian said. “(These) grants mean more students will have access to hands-on learning programs. As our economy changes, especially with automation on the rise, the importance of skills training in middle and high school and throughout a person’s career will only continue to grow.”

The Cascade, Dayton, McMinnville, Mt. Angel, North Marion, North Santiam, Perrydale and Salem-Keizer School districts received a total of $1.95 million in CTE grants.

The Mt. Angel School District received a $283,993 grant to fund a Career Technical Education coordinator who is responsible for placing students at local businesses.

“This is a great opportunity to bring our schools and community together to provide career-related experiences for our high school students and better prepare students to be job-ready

Welcome to a Sustainable Future

upon graduation,” Mt. Angel School District Superintendent Troy Stoops said.

Stoops is grateful for SEDCOR Business and Retention Manager Nick Harville’s assistance, who also worked with other school districts.

“Nick is an outstanding advocate for schools and CTE programs,” Stoops said. “I believe Nick is the catalyst to making these types of initiatives be successful by bringing schools and business partners together to prepare students for the demands of high wage and high demand occupations.”

Stoops said Harville serves on several advisory committees, working tirelessly to get the “right folks to the table.”

“He pulls stakeholders together and facilitates a collaboration among professionals that recognize the needs and will work to provide solutions that meet the needs of our students and business partners,” Stoops said.

Stoops said Mt. Angel School District’s grant provides opportunities for students to gain experience relevant to life after high school and applicable to high-skill, high wage careers.

“We know the more experiences students have in school the better their chance of finding and being successful at a career of their choice,” Stoops said.

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Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley Technology Industry

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Independence first to have Smart Meters

Teamwork helps Oregon Fruit grow in Salem

Once again, Independence is on the cutting edge of using technology to benefit its citizens and businesses.

Oregon Fruit Products recently purchased a 26-acre property and 165,000 square-foot food processing facility in Salem, previously owned by NORPAC.

The tech-savvy pioneer town is known for its smart city, smart rural upgrades such as gigabyte high-speed Internet access, renewable power, and an updated downtown core.

Independence will now have the distinction of being the first city in Oregon to receive smart meters.

Pacific Power replaced thousands of aging electric meters with efficient and effective smart meters.

The new smart meters will provide Independence residents and business owners with the information they need to make better decisions about their electric usage.

Independence Economic Development Director Shawn Irvine said Independence’s history is still being made. The town was settled in 1847.

“We’re proud to be in the forefront of this new technology surge that will give our citizens timely information that will let them truly take over day-to-day management of their energy costs. Now that is Independence,” Irvine said.

Spencer Powell, MAI

Oregon Fruit has operated from its original location in Salem since its founding in 1935. With the processing plant and office space reaching capacity, Oregon Fruit CEO Chris Sarles searched for a new facility for a few years, even considering a relocation outside of Salem. When he saw the sale of NORPAC Foods’ canned vegetable business, he reached out, enticed by the existing food manufacturing capabilities and access to I-5. In addition, the proximity to the current Oregon Fruit location will help to maximize the continuity of employment for the team. Oregon Fruit Products employs 85 people and 100 additional seasonal workers during the fresh fruit harvest.

“We were pleased to share with our team that the company roots would remain firmly planted in Salem,” Sarles said. “We would like to thank Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett, the Salem City Council, SEDCOR and the City of Salem for their commitment and dedication to retain vital manufacturing jobs. Each group did their part and worked in concert to help ensure that the process went smoothly and quickly. We are looking forward to growing our business and employment in the city where we were established.”

Katherine Powell Banz, MAI

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Enterprise Spring 2018

15

MEMBER NEWS

New Members

7 Degrees Training & Consulting, LLC provides customized solutions to meet any companies training needs whether it is e-learning, gamification, toolkits or an out-of-the-box solution. CEO Teri Miller, MSEd-ISDT, has more than 10 years of experience as an Instructional Designer consulting with Fortune 500 companies.

We specialize in customized training/ learning solutions, change management/ transformation, analyzing the health of a company, Agile and DevOps transformations and business agility.

Started in 2017, Teri is ready to take her expertise and knowledge to provide high-quality products that meet the needs of small, medium and large businesses in the region. For additional information, please contact Teri at 503-967-3727 or 1-800-257-9439 or check out our website at https://www.7degreestrainingandconsulting.com.

Capitol City Press is a G7 certified commercial printer with a Salem office.

Terry Romero is the print consultant. She joined CCP because she wants to bring

the highest level of quality to her clients.

With about 20 years’ experience as an award-winning print sales representative and previously a graphic designer, she will work with your company to execute projects that keep you at the forefront of your market. “We want to partner with other companies who value their brand, have exacting standards and hopefully similar values. If you’re tired of paying for print that doesn’t match what you approved or the bindery is done poorly, you’re going to love us.”

building. We work with a large variety of organizations in Oregon including Roseburg Forest Products, Wilco Farm Stores, Intel, Nike, The Swanson Group, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Forest River. These organizations and many others are looking to develop their key contributors to improve performance, productivity and engagement. To learn more, contact Mike Stack at 503-968-7711 or email mike.stack@dalecarnegie.com.

CCP offers mailing services including variable data with exact matching, packaging, political campaigns, and more.

Learn more at www.capitolcitypress.com or contact Terry at 503-267-8731 or email at terry@capitolcitypress.com.

Started in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training® is a global training company in more than 90 countries and conducted in 30 languages. Dale Carnegie has been in Oregon since the mid-1950s. We are in the business of transforming people’s lives’ so they can impact their respective organizations in a more positive and productive manner. Our business focus is on people developing skills in: communication, leadership, people skills, sales, presentation, employee engagement and team

rmg consulting provides structure, strategies, and solutions to multifaceted programs and projects. Whether your organization is in transition, seeking to streamline workforce efforts, or expand current influence, rmg consulting will work with you to identify goals, shape messaging, and coach your organization to achieve positive outcomes.

Our proven methods include assessment of key components, establishing goals, and developing clear and concise plans of execution and implementation. rmgconsulting advises on political campaigns, personal and professional development, and nonprofit endeavors.

Contact us at 503-362-5021 to see how we can help make your expectations a reality.

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Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley Technology Industry

MEMBER NEWS

Awards & Honors

Fred VanNatta Honored with HBA Lifetime Achievement Award Fred VanNatta spent his working career as housing advocate and governmental affairs representative for the homebuilding industry. In December, he was awarded the 2017 Home Builders Association (HBA) Lifetime Achievement Award at the Builder’s Ball in Portland.

The HBA presents the award “in recognition of involvement and leadership in the association, contributions to the industry, and community involvement, over a longer period of service.”

Instrumental in founding SEDCOR, VanNatta served as its second president.

Past award recipient and a national leader, Jim Irvine, presented the award to his longtime friend and former business partner.

Irvine shared about VanNatta’s humble Fred VanNatta beginnings as farmer in rural Oregon, his drive for success, multifaceted talents and compassion for others.

VanNatta established the first statewide building code in the country and worked to support the needs of homebuilders in Oregon’s Legislature as a lobbyist. One of VanNatta’s goals was to make it easier for Oregonians to own and purchase homes.

“Fred’s legacy continues to be a testimony to the attributes called the Masterpieces of the Renaissance. He has an unquenchable

thirst to humbly enrich the lives of Oregon’s citizens and to make a better place for those who choose to call Oregon home. This has been and continues to be the life of Fred VanNatta,” Irvine said.

VanNatta said he felt “flattered and appreciative” to have been recognized for his work for the homebuilding industry.

“I truly believed that a person could not experience personal and financial security without an owning a home,” VanNatta said. “I had that dream for myself and my children and for all Oregonians who wanted that kind of stability.”

Fred VanNatta is the founder of VanNatta Public Relations, (VPR) originally known as “Public Affairs, Inc.” His leadership and guiding vision has been a stable force in this dynamic company for five decades.

Automation Solutions, a leading industrial automation systems integrator, won a “2017 Innovation Award” from the Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition (PNDC), for its design, development and manufacturing of unique automation equipment for an Oregon-based specialty medical device firm that manufactures hemostatic devices used to control severe, life-threatening bleeding.

client,” Steve Thompson, vice president of business development, said. “Our firm was founded with the idea of helping businesses gain greater control and visibility into their automation systems and we’re continuing that tradition with each new project we take on.”

Capitol Auto Group dealerships Capitol ChevroletCadillac (#1) and Capitol Toyota (#2) took the two top spots in Automotive News’ 100 Best Dealerships To Work For in the large dealership category. CAG dealerships have been in the top 10 since the awards were established in 2012. Best Dealership overall awards also went to Capitol Subaru (#8), Chevrolet/Cadillac (#15) and Toyota (#17).

Family-owned, CAG President Scott Casebeer, Marketing Director Carrie Casebeer and second-generation Alex and Matthew treat employees like family. The team places a high priority on employee satisfaction and believes that is why their business is successful.

These machines are poised to automate the product line and ramp up to meet future demand for their products “We are very excited to receive this award, it certainly validates all the hard work that we have put into this project for our

Design, Build and Remodel with a Vision and a Plan

Carrie, Scott, Alex, and Matthew Casebeer

Corban University’s Tom & Davina Younger Center

Architecture + Planning + Interiors Serving the Willamette Valley and beyond for over 57 years 363 State Street Salem, OR 97301 | 503.581.4114 www.accoac.com | architects@accoac.com www.sedcor.com

Enterprise Spring 2018

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MEMBER NEWS

Awards & Honors innovative designs in engineering projects or systems for the food and agricultural industries.

“We are honored to receive this recognition for innovation in engineering design,” GK Machine CEO Gary Grossen said. “GK Machine’s outstanding engineering employees continue to show their creativity and problem-solving skills to help farmers enhance their operations.”

Kiki Dohman, a five-year employee of Cherriots, received a national award for her work in promoting commuting options to reduce traffic congestion Kiki Dohman in Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley.

The Association for Commuter Transportation honored Dohman as one of its 40 under 40 leaders for 2017. Dohman works with Cherriots Trip Choice, which supports carpool, vanpool, ride matching, biking and walking initiatives.

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers named GK Machine’s Lettuce Harvester the 2018 AE50 award, which recognizes the year’s most

Built in Donald, the GK Lettuce Harvester brought together a number of existing technologies with innovative designs to create a versatile machine that improves harvest efficiency and reduces farming overhead. The use of networked sensors, CAN bus systems, and custom control software allows crews to focus on processing lettuce rather than monitoring the machine.

Best Audio-Visual Provider by meeting and event planners from Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

Kara Campuzano, director of sales and marketing, said Salem Convention Center, has won the award the last three years.

“The hard work our entire team puts in paired with a beautiful facility makes us a great venue for meeting planners. Our staff is the most genuine team I know and that is why our clients continue to use us year after year,” Campuzano said.

Allied Video Productions is the in-house AV provider for SCC, assuring that the sound, video and other technology at the center is top notch. The partnership has been a win-win, assuring events return to Salem year after year.

Both Salem Convention Center (SCC) and Allied Video Productions (AVP) earned the prestigious “Best of the Northwest 2017” award from NW Meetings & Events magazine for 2017. SCC was selected as the Best Convention/Conference Venue in Oregon and AVP was selected as the

“Many clients’ first experience with AVP is at SCC, then they discover we travel, and we end up becoming their go-to provider, regardless of venue,” AVP President Scott Hossner said. “It’s that increasing visibility outside of Salem that has helped AVP get noticed, but it all begins with our partnership with SCC.”

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Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley Technology Industry

MEMBER NEWS

Assisting with Planning and Development Services • Drinking Water

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For specific development and infrastructure questions, visit www.cityofsalem.net/publicworks or call 503-588-6211

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Enterprise Spring 2018

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MEMBER NEWS

Awards & Honors Continued Travel Salem was recognized as a 2018 Readers’ Choice Award winner by SportsEvents Media Group, the leading industry publication focused on helping sports event planners produce excellent competitions in the United States.

“The destinations and venues nominated for this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards are outstanding examples of how sports commissions, CVBs and tourism departments diligently work to provide best-in-class service to the youth and amateur organizations and tournaments they host,” Managing Editor Sherri Middleton said.

“It is my honor to recognize Travel Salem as a 2018 winner. Your dedication to youth and amateur sports and the creativity and passion your organization exhibits is a perfect example of excellence in the sports events industry,” Middleton said.

Chemeketa Cellars, the college’s student-made wine label, earned two medals in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Chemeketa Cellars won a Silver Medal for the 2013 Pinot Noir and a Bronze Medal for the 2016 Pinot Blanc. The competition is the largest competition of American wines and received 6,960 entries from 35 states.

This is the first time the Chemeketa Wine Studies program has participated.

Peter Shanks of White Oak Construction was awarded with the Daily Journal of Commerce Phenoms and Icons awards,

honoring the local building industry’s long-time leaders while recognizing the up-and-coming professionals.

When Shanks joined White Oak Construction Peter Shanks eight years ago, his potential immediately became clear to the company’s leaders.

Before his first year was complete, he was being groomed to move into a role as a project manager by White Oak owner Mark Fox and operations manager Dan Wellert.

Shanks has been involved in almost every project undertaken by the Salem-based construction company, learning a full range of tasks. He started as a general laborer, began assisting with estimates, and then took over running small projects before finally taking on the title and responsibilities of a project manager.

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Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley Technology Industry

MEMBER NEWS

the Government Affairs Committee for the chamber.

Lending a hand whenever and wherever needed, Matt Lawyer was awarded the 2017 President’s Award. Lawyer worked tirelessly in 2017 to expand opportunities for Keizer city parks; through his efforts on the city parks council, he is making Keizer a better place to live, work and play.

Jason Flores received the 2017 Service to Education award.

In January, the Keizer Chamber of Commerce held its First Citizen and Awards Banquet.

Joe Egli was named Keizer’s 2017 First Citizen. His Joe Egli activities include city councilor, chamber of commerce board member and president, chair of the Keizer Iris Festival, McNary Athletic Booster Club and Keizer Rotary Club.

Larry Jackson, co-owner of Jackson’s Body Shop, is the recipient of the Merchant of the Year Award. A long time and avid volunteer, Jackson has served on the Keizer Chamber Board of Directors, and

He has dedicated countless hours to the needs of youth Jason Flores including coaching softball, girls and boys basketball, baseball and youth football teams.

He has invested countless hours in community projects including Keizer Little Matt Lawyer League’s fields, McNary High School’s synthetic turf field, refurbished the football/soccer scoreboard, and lead the complete Softball Dugout project.

People

David Hallett is the new vice president of governance and administration at Chemeketa Community College.

Hallett had been the executive dean of general education and transfer studies

David Hallett

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People Continued at the college. He replaced Andrew Bone who retired.

Chemeketa President Julie Huckestein said Hallett has a broad base of experience and skills that will benefit employees, students and community members. He has been with Chemeketa since 2006 and has more than 22 years of teaching and executive experience in higher education.

As a first generation college student who grew up on a dairy farm in New York, Hallett obtained an A.A.S. degree from a community college and earned a B.A. in English, cum laude, from the State University of New York. This early foundation positioned him for the rigors of law school where he earned a juris doctorate degree from the University of Akron, ultimately practicing law in Pennsylvania and teaching as a professor of legal research and writing at Penn State University before coming to Oregon.

Hallett is passionate that access to a quality education should not be relegated to those of privilege; rather it must be equitably available for all. This philosophy is what fueled his decision to leave the practice of law and become a full-time educator.

“I have a strong belief that education is the key to a better future for everyone,” Hallett said. “I’m excited to continue past collaborations and engage in new ones that will ensure we are all working as one college serving the needs of every student.”

Reviewing risks and

managing exposure.

Cherriots promoted Don Clifford to assistant transportation manager. For the past five years, Clifford was the operations supervisor and before that a transit operator.

Jonah Hanson has Don Clifford been promoted from marketing assistant to marketing coordinator. Hanson joined the marketing department about a year ago. Prior to marketing, he had been a Cherriots transit operator.

Jonah Hanson Cherriots hired Stephen Custer as the new social media marketing coordinator. Custer joined Cherriots this summer as a temporary social media specialist. He came to Cherriots Stephen Custer from NOE International.

John McCoun joined Dale’s Remodeling as an interior/ exterior carpenter.

He’s worked in the industry for more than 15 years building almost every type of house from single- to double-wall construction.

Thus far, McCoun has lent his expertise to several multi-phase whole house remodels throughout the Salem-Keizer area.

“My background in framing lends nicely to this position because it allows me to easily understand what’s behind the walls and what the potential may be for a kitchen or bathroom remodel,” he said.

Aaron Eddy is the new project manager for Earthlight Technologies, where he will be responsible with managing solar and lighting projects, both residential and commercial. A Texas State University graduate in business management with a minor in renewable energy, he was previously a project manager at a Portland-based solar firm with a distinguished track record while leading install teams and streamlining operations.

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MEMBER NEWS

People Continued Katherine Powell Banz, MAI, was elected the 2018 President of the Greater Oregon Chapter of the Appraisal Institute (GOCAI).

A Principal and Managing Member of Powell Banz Valuation, LLC, she is a certified general appraiser in Oregon and Washington and holds the prestigious MAI designation. She has been an active GOCAI board Katherine Powell Banz member since 2012.

She plans to expand education and seminars to help implement appraisal concepts in day-to-day assignments, create a GOCAI Women’s Network, and explore collaborative efforts with other professional groups.

Tony C. Schacher is the new general manager of Salem Electric. He replaced Terry M. Kelly, who retired in February. In 2007, Schacher joined Salem Electric as an Tony C. Schacher engineer and was promoted to engineering and operations manager in 2012.

“Salem Electric is a shining example of a well-organized company with dedicated staff and a membership that understands the benefits of a robust cooperative model,” Schacher said. “I hope to continue to build on the achievements obtained in the past and keep an eye toward future opportunities to benefit our members.”

Studio 3 Architecture announced Jim Toporek received his Professional Architect License. Toporek was drawn to architecture by the social responsibility and client accountability of the profession. “It is a profession where designers are entrusted with creating spaces where moments and days are spent, where memories are made,” he said.

He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts and joined Studio 3 Architecture in Jim Toporek 2014.

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Oregon State Credit Union’s 2017 philanthropic effort will exceed $200,000 with the largest gift directed to Oregon-based Children’s Miracle Network hospitals Doernbecher in Portland and Sacred Heart in Eugene, which will benefit from $35,000 generated through an internal campaign match. The 2017 Oregon State Credit Union philanthropic effort was distributed among about 175 schools, nonprofits and scholarship recipients located within the credit union’s 24-county field of membership in Western and Central Oregon.

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Visit pacificpower.net to learn more about energy efficiency incentives or smart meters.

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MEMBER NEWS

“We prioritize education as a core value of this credit union.

We are passionate about the development and well being of our local youth as approximately 60-65 percent of our donations are dedicated to support our schools and youth-related social services,” Oregon State Credit Union CEO Richard Hein said.

The Salem Contractors Exchange Toy Drive was another success, thanks to its amazing “elves.”

The Salem Contractors Exchange delivered 500 toys to the Salvation Army, who in turn gave numerous children a wonderful holiday surprise.

Salem Contractors Exchange would like to thank its elves for their donations: Andy Medcalf Construction, Rich Duncan Construction, Green Acres Landscape, Northwest Millwork, C.J. Hansen Company, Gutierrez Painting, Salem Road and Driveway, A.G. Sadowski, Glen Hayden Construction, Code Electric, Gelco Construction, Pro-Tint Window Tinting and Lori Klopfenstein.

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MEMBER NEWS

Products, Programs & Projects

AKS Engineering & Forestry, LLC (AKS) has completed its merger with Bend-based DevTech Engineering. The Bend office is co-managed by Brian Wilkinson, PE, and former DevTech owner, Chris Chambers, PE. AKS and DevTech decided to merge when clients were asking for additional resources in Bend. The firms shared similar clients, services and projects.

In addition to civil engineering and surveying, AKS adds more capabilities and services to the Bend area with land use planners, certified arborists, forest engineers, natural resource specialists, water resource engineers and landscape architects. The merger brings AKS’ total employee count to 190.

VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATE IN A BREWERY-RAISING

More than 100 people including monks, priests and seminarians from the Mount Angel Abbey gathered on Nov. 11 to begin building the Benedictine Brewery. The old-fashion hand-raising of the brewery required a great deal of heavy lifting and putting together wood pieces, much like a Lincoln Logs set. The timber frame was designed by Henry Fitzgibbon of Soderstrom Architects and New Energy Works. The brewery will continue the 1,500-year-old monastic tradition of

brewing artisanal beer. The 3,000-squarefoot Benedictine Brewery and Taproom is slated to open in June of 2018.

Two leaders in technology have merged. Compex, Inc. of Silverton is a leader in business technical support and networking solutions while Salem Business Computers is a technology service provider for small and medium businesses. In January, Compex completed acquisition of Salem Business Computers.

Compex Inc. is known for its Compex Pi solution, offering full service networking, hardware and support.

“This will allow us to continue our rapid growth and introduce our offerings into new markets,” Matt Middlestetter, founder of Compex Inc., said. The Salem staff now works in the Compex “Bios Dome” a 4,200 sq. ft. warehouse in downtown Silverton which houses the network operations center, the HERO Help Desk technicians and the administrative team members.

Corban University is raising funds to construct a new state-of-the-art athletic complex to meet the needs of its athletic teams and intramural programs, Corban Director of Athletics Greg Eide said.

Eide said the plan calls for a track and field complex and all-weather turf soccer, softball and intramural/practice fields.

“The complex will have lights, which will provide our teams the ability to practice in the evenings,” Eide said.

The new facility would provide a track and field for athletes to practice, instead of traveling off campus, and allow the university to host events. Corban’s soccer and softball teams, both national competitors, are currently unable to use their grass fields for most of the year due to poor drainage.

A 1903 building in historic downtown Silverton received a “facelift” and a new purpose. The building has been completely restored and is now the office for Larsen Flynn Insurance. James Dooley, who is the owner and manager partner, said Larsen Flynn Insurance received Urban Renewal Funds from the City of Silverton to purchase, gut and restore the building.

“After nearly 60 years of being crammed into the L. Ames Building on the corner of Main and Water Streets, we were fortunate to work with the City of Silverton to relocate to our new home across the street,” Dooley said. “With the help of a local architect and contractors, we are delighted with our new space that will allow us to accommodate our agency’s rapid growth.”

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1155 13TH STREET SE • SALEM OREGON 97302 • 503-363-9227 28 Enterprise Spring 2018

Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley Technology Industry

MEMBER NEWS Welcome New Members 7 Degrees Training & Consulting Capital City Press Dale Carnegie rmg Consulting

Thank You to Renewing Members AccurAccounts, Inc. AKS Engineering and Forestry, LLC Al’s Garden Centers & Greenhouses, LLC Assisted Living Solutions Automation Solutions Boys & Girls Club Business Oregon Cardwell Creative Carlson Veit Architects, P.C. Cascade Capital Funding Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce Chemeketa Community College Cherry City Electric Citizens Bank, Salem City of Keizer City of Woodburn Comcast Business Corban University Crossroads Fine Linen & Party Rentals Doerfler Farms, Inc. First American Title Company First Call Home Health Care First Interstate Bank

Garten Services, Inc. Gelco Construction Co. GK Machine, Inc. Habitat for Humanity Hi-Tek Electronics Home Fire Stove HUB International Northwest LLC IMEX America Corporation Investors Brokerage, Inc. Jackson Jewelers KAR-GOR, Inc. kevmarc Legacy Real Estate Lineage Logistics MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions MAK Grills Michael W. Grainey Consulting MINET - Monmouth Independence Network Minniti & Company, P.C. Modern Building Systems, Inc. Monmouth-Independence Chamber Mt. Angel Community Foundation Northwest College of Construction Oregon Cherry Growers, Inc. Oregon Pallet Repair OSU Extension Service, Polk County Pacific Sanitation, Inc. PAZ Design Group, LTD Phoenix Inn Suites - South Polk County Itemizer- Observer Powell Banz Valuation, LLC Power Equipment Systems (PES)

We can Help You Connect with your clients

RedBuilt Residence Inn by Marriott Riverbend Sand & Gravel Rogue Ales, Oregon Brewing Company Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Salem Leadership Foundation Salem-Keizer Education Foundation Santiam Hospital Sherman Sherman Johnnie & Hoyt, LLP Spirit Mountain Casino Steffen Systems, Inc. Studio 3 Architecture, Inc. The Grant Company The Ulven Companies Ticor Title T-Mobile, USA U.S. Bank Universal Forest Products United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, Inc. Valley Recycling and Disposal, Inc. Vitro Architectural Glass West Coast Companies White Oak Construction Wildwood - Mahonia Willamette Workforce Partnership Withers Lumber Company Yamasa Corporation USA Member information October 2017- January 2018

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