T H E M O N T H LY B U S I N E S S S E C T I O N F O R L I N N A N D B E N T O N C O U N T I E S A N D T H E M I D - W I L L A M E T T E VA L L E Y
www.democratherald.com/business • www.gazettetimes.com/business
January 2014
Worth watching in 2014 We asked experts and observers of the mid-valley’s business scene to suggest area businesses worth watching in 2014. Here are brief reports on four of those businesses – and one promising initiative. and industrial sites. WHY IT’S WORTH ADDRESS: 4314 ReWATCHING: ZAPS has been search Way, Corvallis in business for six years PHONE NUMBER: 541and began selling its prod207-1236 uct last year. “If all goes WEBSITE: zapstechnolo well, this will be a breakout gies.com year in sales,” said Matthew KEY LEADERS: Gary Johnen, president, CEO and Klinkhammer, founder and COO. chief science officer; Operating mostly in the Matthew Johnen, president, Northwest, 2014 will be the chief executive officer and year the business pushes to chief operating officer; Don Jackson, engineering direc- expand across the United States. With 50 systems in tor and Nathan Klinkhamthe field, the goal is to do mer, director, sales. dramatically more this year NUMBER OF EMPLOYwith a minimum goal of EES: 25 doubling sales. WHAT IT DOES: ZAPS Nathan Klinkhammer, diTechnologies created highrector of sales, says it precision optical instrumeans much for the comments that monitor drinkpany to be a part of an ining and wastewater. Using dustry that can make a big technology that detects and measures variations in difference and safeguard a natural resource. liquid, ZAPS put together the LiquID Station, a single “If ZAPS’ product is doing unit which can improve the what it’s supposed to do, safety of drinking water, re- the public won’t hear much duce the use of chemicals about the company,” and electricity needed to Klinkhammer said. treat water, and minimize — Maria Kirkpatrick pollutants from wastewater
ZAPS Technologies Inc.
DAVID PATTON | ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD
CEO Guy DeLude shows the machining process at Viper Northwest in Albany. neering, computer numerical control machining and precision fabrication ADDRESS: 1216 Jackson St. S.E., services, using some of the latest softAlbany ware, technology and equipment to PHONE NUMBER: 541-928-2529 build parts, assemblies and subWEBSITE: www.vipernorthwest.com systems for the semiconductor, aerospace, automation, medical and KEY LEADERS: Guy DeLude, presi- firearms industries and more. Viper dent/CEO; Tim Bates, executive vice Northwest works with composites, president; George Bradley, vice presi- stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, dent of manufacturing; Donna DeMar- specialty alloys and other materials. co, vice president of customer servic- Viper Northwest employs machinists, es; Erik Smith, vice president of quali- toolmakers, machine operators, mety; Dave Hill, production manager; chanical engineers, quality engineers, Angélé Vieane, human resources; manufacturing engineers, designers, Jesse Long, finance; Paul Buchheit, inspectors, fabricators, welders, asengineering manager sembly technicians, estimators and NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 84 support personnel, and operates two shifts. WHAT IT DOES: Viper Northwest, Inc., is an engineering-driven, buildWHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING: To to-print organization with headquarkeep up with demand from aerospace ters, offices and manufacturing facili- and semiconductor customers, Viper ties in Albany. The company makes Northwest plans to expand its Albany products according to a customer’s facilities from 35,000 square feet to technical and performance specifica- double that in the next year or two. That will create at least 20 more local tions. Viper Northwest offers engi-
Viper Northwest Inc.
manufacturing jobs, said company CEO and president Guy DeLude. With help from the city of Albany and Central Albany Revitalization Area (CARA), the company worked out a plan to stay local. “I believe staying in Albany is our best option at this time,” DeLude said. “The local area holds a small, yet sophisticated, industrial and high tech community … and we’re removed from the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan area’s hassle.” Viper Northwest has grown at an annualized rate of about 15 percent, and expects both domestic and international sales to steadily increase. Implementation and certification of quality systems has proven critical to the company’s continued success, DeLude said. “We expect Viper Northwest to continue to set the bar for our peer competition,” DeLude said. — Rebecca Barrett
Carts and Tools
DAVID PATTON | ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD
Chief Operating Officer Bob Bowers shows the conference room view from CariFree’s new office in the Wheelhouse building in Albany. completion of the remodel of its original site on Water Avenue and ADDRESS: Business office: 421 has moved its business operations Water Ave. N.E., Suite 3200 down the road and into the WheelMANUFACTURING: 810 Water house,Albany’s new four-story ofAve. N.E.,Albany. fice building. PHONE NUMBER: 866-928-4445 The demand for its various dental WEBSITE: www.carifree.com products has increased. Sales also KEY LEADERS: Dr. Kim Kutsch, have increased and with the newly John Bowers and Bob Bowers. added manufacturing space CarNUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 22 iFree is hoping to hire up to seven WHAT IT DOES: CariFree manuadditional people between its manfactures products that are used in ufacturing and office sites this year. preventive dental care and distribCariFree offers a preventive system uted through dental offices and faworking with dental professionals to cilities. diagnose and treat tooth decay WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING: CariFree has been steadily growing through its products.The company has created a series of gels,gums and since it opened its doors 10 years ago. Last year it experienced its best rinses available individually or in kits year to date with 20 percent growth. that fight the disease at various levels. Many of the products are availThat success created a need for adable at dentists’ offices. ditional manufacturing space. As a result, CariFree is nearing — Steve Lathrop
CariFree
ADDRESS: 280 N.W. First St., Corvallis PHONE NUMBER: 855-476-9834 WEBSITE: www.cartsandtools.com KEY LEADERS: Michael McGowen (CEO), Brad Attig (sales and marketing), Jorge Banuelos (engineering) NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 5 WHAT IT DOES: Carts and Tools produces electric-powered rototillers and other agricultural appliances aimed toward the small-market farmer. WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING: CEO Michael McGowen said the company’s “cutting-edge technology addresses a need that is going to become more important as it gets recognized that we have solutions in this unique area. We’ll grow and be able to develop even better products for that market.”
AMANDA COWAN | CORVALLIS GAZETTE-TIMES
Zaps Technologies sales director Nathan Klinkhammer, left, and CEO Matthew Johnen are pictured with their product, the LiquID. The LiquID continuously monitors water for constituents.
RAIN
NAME OF BUSINESS INITIATIVE: South Willamette Valley Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network. People will just call it by the acronym RAIN. KEY LEADERS: Newly hired executive director, Jim Coonan; Corvallis Mayor Julie Manning; Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy WHAT IT DOES: RAIN isn’t a business, but rather a cooperative effort between mid-valley communities, Oregon State University, the University of Oregon and private parties to help commercialize research performed at the universities – and to attempt to spin off private companies that presumably will hire locally. The initiative was approved by the 2013 Legislature, which also allocated — James Day $3.75 million in startup money. WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING: RAIN earlier this month brought on its executive director, Jim Coonan of Portland, who has wide experience in promoting entrepreneurial efforts and has been a key partner in the Bend Venture Conference. Coonan said the chance to lead the RAIN initiative offers a nice match to his other work to support innovators and entrepreneurs.“It’s a unique opportunity and challenge,” he said. The next step will be meetings over the next few weeks to help shape initial goals for RAIN: “What do we want to get accomplished over the next year?” It’s not an idle question: For one thing, the 2015 Legislature will be expecting a progress report from the initiative. But Coonan said he already senses that the various parJESSE SKOUBO | CORVALLIS GAZETTE-TIMES ties to the initiative – universities, community leaders and entrepreneurs – are eager to move ahead: “I think people Carts and Tools businessman Brad Attig chats with are pretty aligned in their eagerness to get to work.” Molly Shor of Corvallis at the Willamette Innovation — Mike McInally Network Expo last fall at CH2M Hill Alumni center.
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MID-VALLEY InBusiness
January 2014
MOVERS&SHAKERS Officers & directors At its January meeting, the Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce elected the following officers: President, Alyssa Lewis of Citizens Bank; vice president, Hans Neukomm of (NAPA) Philomath Auto Parts; treasurer, Bre Kerkvliet of the Corvallis Knights; and secretary, Lauri Lehman of Strengthening Rural Families. New board member Winnie Richardson of Pioneer Telephone joins returning members Vynn Berg (Mid-Valley Dental), Kerry DeGuzman, Stevan Mussatti (ECO Home Comfort) and Matt Van Dyke (Alyrica Networks). Leaving the board this year is Marcia Gilson. She has been a board member since 2007, and president since 2009. She will continue to serve on several committees, as well as being a chamber ambassador.
People on the move Oregon State University’s College of Public Health and Human Sciences recently welcomed Gloria Krahn as its first
Barbara Emily Knudson Chair in Family Policy. Krahn formerly was director of the Division of Human Development and Disability at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She was a faculty member in the Child Development and Rehabilitation CenKrahn ter at Oregon Health & Science University for nearly 25 years before her five-year stint at the CDC. At the College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Krahn will support the college’s education and research programs to serve Oregon’s public health policy and programs. ■ Samaritan Physical Rehabilitation in Corvallis has hired physical therapist Parwana Schell. Schell received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in physical therapy from University
of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. With nearly 10 years of experience practicing physical therapy in the Willamette Valley, Schell specializes in the treatment of orthopedic and sports injuries. She is a former competitive gymnast and dancer. Schell is a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, and received continuing education in dance medicine from the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries in New York City. For more information, call Samaritan Physical Rehabilitation Center at 541-768-5157. ■ John Kiesel is the new director of Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy in Corvallis. Kiesel completed his doctor of physical therapy degree at Indiana University, and after graduation completed a nationally accredited orthopaedic manual therapy residency at Brooks Rehabilitation in Florida. Kiesel also taught gross anatomy at the graduate level at Eastern Washington University. His clinical interests include working with individuals who have spine pain,
Marketing Connections,” 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence.The Oregon State University Extension Small Farms Program and the City of Independence will host the event. Buyer/producer networking social from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Registration: $15, which includes lunch catered by Marion-Polk Food Share. Information: 541-766-3556. Wednesday: Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Forum Luncheon: “Education Is Your Partner in Economic Development,” 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Linn County Fair & Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road, Albany. Speaker: Greg Hamann, Linn-Benton Community College president. Cost: $20. Info: 541-926-1517. Wednesday: Presentation on health care reform for small businesses, 1 p.m., Room 213, Calapooia Center, Linn-Benton Community College, 6500 Pacific Blvd. S.W., Albany. Information: LBCC Small Business Development Center, 541-917-4929. Thursday: Albany Kiwanis Lunch: Musical presentation by North Albany Middle School Jazz Band. Director, Andy Nelson. Noon, Pop’s Branding Iron Restaurant, 901 Pacific Blvd. S.E., Albany. Open to public. Info: 541-
223-1247. Friday: Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce Forum Lunch: “Creating A Healthy Workforce”. Speaker: Josh Gustafson, Samaritan Health Services/SamFit. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital Career Training Center, 525 Santiam Highway, Lebanon. Cost: $14.50. Info: 541-258-7164. Feb. 3: Lebanon Toastmasters Meeting. 7:45 a.m., Laticrete, 100 Entek Way. Membership fees apply. Info: Shelly Garrett, 541258-7164. Feb. 3: College Night, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Linn-Benton Community College, 6500 Pacific Blvd. S.W., Albany. For those thinking about attending college or looking to improve their job skills.“A Look Beyond the Books”will showcase clubs, co-curricular programs, theater, music, short-term training programs and more from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in room F-104, the Forum Building. Campus tours offered from 5 to 6 p.m. Information on degree partnership programs with Oregon State University and Oregon Institute of Technology will be available. Learn about special admissions programs, and meet current students. Registration: 541-917-4847 or www.linnbenton. edu/college-night.
DAT E B O O K Today: Lebanon Toastmasters Meeting, 7:45 a.m., Laticrete, 100 Entek Way, Lebanon. Membership fees apply. Info: Shelly Garrett, 541-258-7164. Tuesday: Takena Kiwanis Luncheon: Field trip to Albany Regional Museum, 7 a.m. Open to public. Speaker: Judie Weissart. museum director. Info: Rick Costain 541-619-9730. Tuesday: Oregon Energy Forum Breakfast Meeting, 7:30 to 9 a.m., conference room, eighth floor, 111 S.W. Columbia St., Portland.Topic: “Direct-Current Microgrids — Rethinking Electrical Distributions.” Cost: free for Northwest Environmental Business Council members, $10 for nonmembers. Registration: admin@nebc.org. Tuesday: “Raising Pigs on a Small Farm,” 6:30 p.m., Oregon State University Benton County Extension Service, 4077 S.W. Research Way, Corvallis. Cost: $5. Registration: 541-766-3556 or http://bit.ly/1mOWbcs. Tuesday: Windows of Wealth Club, 6:30 p.m., Market of Choice, 922 N.W. Circle Blvd., No. 110, Corvallis. Meets monthly to discuss real estate investing. Information: 541-757-1781 or jessi@talk2lee.com. Wednesday: “Local Food Connection Conference: Wholesale
whiplash and chronic pain states. He has a special interest in the role of the brain in pain perception. He also has experience working with athletic populations, with an eye to injury prevention and performance enhancement training. Kiesel is accepting new patients at 541-757-0878. ■ Benton Hospice Service has announced the appointment of Kelly Beard as executive director. Beard comes to Benton Hospice Service from Samaritan Health Services, where she directed health information and case management divisions. Beard brings with her more than 20 years of organizational leadership experience at Samaritan Health Services and Willamette Valley Hospice. She has experience in developing, building and leading diverse, multidisciplinary health care teams. Benton Hospice Service is an independent, nonprofit organization providing compassionate care for seriously ill people and support for their families, as well as service to the community through caregiver
and bereavement education and support groups. Benton Hospice has served Linn and Benton counties since 1980. To learn more about Benton Hospice Services, call 541-757-9616 or visit www.bentonhospice.org. ■ Ariana Malone is a new agent at the Corvallis office of Coldwell Banker Valley Brokers. Malone can be reached at 541Malone 600-6766. ■ Psychologist Laura Sisson has joined Mid-Valley Medical Plaza in Lebanon. Sisson earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Ohio Wesleyan University and a doctoral degree at the School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute. She completed a fellowship at University of Minnesota. Her professional interests include whole-person medicine, helping people change habits, offering coaching on healthy lifestyle
choices, and using solution-focused methods to teach people how to deal with stress. For more information, call 541-451-7800.
Take a bow Benton County recently was recognized by PacificSource Health Plans for its focus on workplace wellness initiatives. At halftime of the Civil War men’s basketball game on Jan. 19, Benny Beaver presented a signed game ball to Johanna Peerenboom, who was representing the Benton County Wellness Program. PacificSource provides Benton County’s traditional health insurance plans for employees. Benton County implemented an employee wellness program designed to encourage healthy lifestyles and habits. The program includes a rewards platform incentive program for those who earn points for walking, bicycling, participating in sports activities and other healthy activities. The program is coordinated by Peerenboom and overseen by a Health and Wellness Committee comprised of county employees and administrators.