Board of Directors

EDCO Board Member, Opportunity Knocks Executive Board Member – Treasurer, Northwest Business Development Association – Board and Loan Committee Member, COIC – Loan Committee Member, Humane Society of Central Oregon

SVP, Team Leader Central Oregon, Washington Trust Bank

Cory J. Allen manages the commercial office in Bend as Washington Trust Bank Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Team Leader, Central Oregon Region. He has been with Washington Trust Bank since March 2021 and has been managing and serving business clients in Central Oregon for 20 years.  The Central Oregon Commercial Team manages business relationships including loan and deposit products while acting as a financial partner to help businesses meet their financial goals. Prior to Washington Trust Bank, Cory was with Columbia Bank as the commercial team leader where he spent over 10 years with the organization.

Tom supports a variety of civic organizations including the Bethlehem Inn, the Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, What If We Could, Shepard’s House Ministries, Saving Grace & Teen Challenge. Tom also writes and regularly contributes to telecommunications articles for industry publications.

Founder & CEO of BendTel, Inc.

Tom was a flight controls design engineer at Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, before moving to Bend in 2001 to pursue his outdoor interests (including skiing, bicycling, and hiking). He founded BendTel in 2003 and has been providing Central Oregon with business-class telephone and Internet services ever since.

Former President/Board Member of the Central Oregon Builders Association from 2004 to 2008.

First Interstate Bank, SVP, Corporate Real Estate & Facilities

Brian has previously worked at the Bank of the Cascades from 2009 to 2017. He started as the Other Real Estate Owned Specialist then moved his way up to Vice President OREO Manager, Vice President Construction Manager/Commercial Loan Officer, SVP Construction Management, and finally as SVP Corporate Real Estate & Facilities.

High Desert Enterprise consortium. (HiDEC) 2008-2013. He is currently serving his third term with the Redmond Economic Development Board. Steve has taken leadership roles with REDI and has been board president twice.

Medline Renewal, VP – Operations

Steve has been leading manufacturing companies in Central Oregon since moving here in 1994 when SMC Corporation purchased Beaver Coaches. He spent 9 years with Beaver / SMC / Monaco eventually running 4 plants, 2 in Bend and 2 in Burns. After the plants were relocated to western Oregon in 2005, he spent 6 years with Fuqua Homes in Bend and 3 with Earth2O in Culver.

Former Steering Committee member of the High Desert Enterprise Consortium (HiDEC) / Grow 3⁰ an organization focused on continued education and peer-learning with a focus on lean principles for local entrepreneurs and companies.

CertainTeed, Plant Manager

Eric has a breadth of experience in progressively expanding roles spanning from Semi-Conductor, High-Tech, Mining, Chemical, Publishing, and Heavy Industrial. He moved to Bend in 2015 to pursue personal interests and to begin work with Structus, a local manufacture of construction materials, as an Engineer running the Maintenance Department. Fast forward to today, Eric is the Plant Manager at CertainTeed in Bend which prides itself on locally producing and shipping construction materials to customers around the globe.

EDCO Board member, Better Together Central Oregon

Chancellor and Dean, Oregon State University – Cascades

Sherm took on OSU-Cascades top leadership position in 2023, continuing 30 years of service for Oregon State where he was dean of OSU’s College of Science for 11 years before stepping in to lead the university’s budget and resource planning office in 2012. Before OSU he held faculty positions at Boston University and Duke University. He is a geologist and researcher by training.

Opportunity Knocks Board Chair, Opportunity Knocks Board President, Deschutes Public Library Foundation Board Vice President & Capital Campaign Co-Chair, Bend Outdoor Worx (BOW) Mentor/Industry Expert, Advertising Federation of Central Oregon President, Oregon Innovative Marketing (OIM) Co-Founder, OSU Innovation Day Co-Organizer, Start-Up Bend Weekend Co-Founder, BEDAB BSO Committee Member, Rotary Board Member (Billings, MT), Junior Achievement Mentor (MT)

Relativity Agency, Owner & Brand Strategist

Georell has vast experience in compelling brand strategy and creative design / communications, business planning and facilitation and has worked for advertising agencies as well as large brands, partnered with emerging brands, and founded several small businesses. She is often called upon to speak and mentor on brand planning, entrepreneurial insight and leadership development.

Bend City Councilor; COIC Vice-Chair; former Cascade Cycling Classic Youth Foundation Board of Directors; Grace First Lutheran Church Council; pro bono legal counsel to various outdoor, cycling, and other youth sports non-profit organizations.

Lawyer, Galanda Broadman PLLC

Lawyer representing Tribal governments, businesses and Indigenous communities; Tribal court Judge; Tribal Prosecutor; past Chair of the Oregon State Bar Indian Law Section, past Chair of the Washington State Bar Association Administrative Law Section.

Katy is a member of the Oregon State Early Learning Council, The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council and has served on City of Bend advisory committees.

Bend Chamber of Commerce, CEO

Katy has served on the public affairs committee of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and the board of directors for the Washington State Business Association.

American Leadership Forum class 35, Bend Chamber Advocacy Council, Deschutes County Emergency Management Planning Committee, Bend Chamber Legislative Committee, Graduate of Illinois Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy, PEDCO vice president, and REDI executive director.

Pacific Power, Regional Business Manager

MidAmerican Energy Company from 2001 to 2017. Starting as an AIM drafter, moving up to a Governmental Distribution Design Technician, a Distribution Operator, the Supervisor for Distribution Control, and the Manager of Key Accounts.

Commissioner Chang serves on the following committees: Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Deschutes Basin Water Collaborative, Deschutes County Investment Advisory Committee, Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project, Deschutes, and County Public Health Advisory Committee liaison.

Deschutes County Commissioner

Phil has served on the Boards of Bend 2030, the Deschutes Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and the River West Neighborhood Association

EDCO Board Member, Better Together Central Oregon

Central Oregon Community College, President

Laurie has an extensive background of leadership that spans 18 years. She served as the executive vice president for academic and student affairs at Grand Rapids Community College, interim dean of learning at Northwestern Michigan, assistant vice president for academic affairs at Ferris State University, dean of humanities at Montgomery County Community College, and associate dean and dean of arts and sciences at Grand Rapids Community College.

Kevin has served on industry work groups to draft new regulation. In 2019, Kevin created a loan program to increase the availability of Workforce Housing in Central Oregon with the help of the Northwest Credit Union foundation. He has also served on the board of Children’s Forest of Central Oregon and also served as Treasurer of Abiqua Academy and the Credit Union Association of Oregon

President of Mid Oregon Credit Union

Joined Mid-Oregon in 2016 as the Chief Financial Officer, later obtaining the role of Executive Vice President & finally being named President in 2021

She was a team captain and helps as a fundraiser for the Polar Plunge to help benefit the Special Olympics for the past 10 years. She is also an ECDO Board member and was previously a board member for the Prineville Crook County Chamber of Commerce.

Prineville-Crook County Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director

Kim has had over 13 years of experience working in marketing and advertising.

Board of the American Red Cross, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Volunteer, youth sports coach for over 10 years, and mentor of both Design Club and Lego Robotics Club at Buckingham Elementary.

Broker and Risk Advisor, PayneWest Insurance

Travis is a commercial risk advisor and insurance broker at PayneWest Insurance, a Marsh & McLennan Agency. Travis has been supporting economic development for the past 6 years as a member and immediate past chair for the Bend Economic Development Advisory Board, as well as serving on several ad hoc committees. Travis is a graduate of both Leadership Bend and Leadership Redmond and serves the insurance and risk management needs of clients both inside of Central Oregon and across the country.

Russ volunteers with the Prineville Volunteer Fire Company who helps with Fire Prevention, community outreach efforts & to maintain the fleet of antique fire apparatus owned by the district. He also serves as a Reserve Police Officer with the Prineville PD.

Division Chief of the Marshal for Crook County Fire & Rescue

Russ obtained his MBA from OSU, allowing him to work in various industries over the years. He was the Prineville & Crook County manager with EDCO before joining Crook County Fire & Rescue.

Currently part of the Prineville EDCO board and serving as Vice President, City of Prineville Budget Committee (2015-2021).

City of Prineville, Director of Strategy and Economic Development

Caroline has a range of experience including former work as an HR Director in the forest products industry and was part of the EDCO team as the Prineville Director from 2014-2018.

Opportunity Knocks Member.

Combined Communications, General Manager

General Sales Manager and Marketing Consultant at Alpha Broadcasting from 2009 to 2015. Marketing Consultant at Rose City Radio from 2004 to 2009 and Marketing Consultant at Clear Channel Radio from 2001 to 2004.

Bend Chamber Board of Directors, Bend Chamber Board of Directors executive team, Chair of the Bend Chamber. BendNEXT Board Member. Volunteer at Bend Venture Conference, Leadership Bend, CASA, and Saving Grace.

VP of Corporate and Legal Affairs, Seran

Business attorney with twenty years of experience in the Central Oregon community. VP of Corporate and Legal for Serán BioScience located in Bend, Oregon. Prior to joining Serán, Heather was a shareholder at the law firm of Bryant, Lovlien & Jarvis. Previously, she was a shareholder at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt.

Volunteer coach for youth & High School Sports

Deputy County Administrator & Risk Manager at Deschutes County

Over the last 13 years he has worked in various departments such as a Deputy Public Works Director, Personnel Supervisor, Recreation Coordinator lll, Youth & Education Coordinator, Budget Analyst & Management Intern

EDCO Board Member

Mid Oregon Personnel, President & CEO

Founded Mid-Oregon Personnel in 1984.

Current: COIC Board Member, City of Sisters Urban Forestry Board Member. Past: The Environmental Center Vice-President / Board Member (2014-2019), City of Bend Street Maintenance Funding Committee (2016), Prineville Planning Commission (2008).

City of Sisters, City Councilor

Sustainability Consultant, Letz Sustainability Consulting; Sustainable Operations Specialist, Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests; Technical Specialist, PV Powered, Backcountry Park Ranger, Grand Canyon National Park.

EDCO Board member

Grassroots Advocacy Manager

Voting Member of the Oregon Growth Board, which is tasked with enhancing opportunities to leverage and attract additional capital in Oregon to support business development, while generating returns for Oregon’s Education Stability Fund. Former board member of the Bend Economic Development Advisory Board, the Oregon Business Development Corporation, and the Growing Tree Children’s Center.

Vice President, Business Banking Team Manager, U.S. Bank

Wendy began her banking career with U.S. Bank in 2002, and has been based in Bend since 2005. Wendy’s team of bankers supports businesses throughout Central, Eastern, and Southern Oregon, as well as the Columbia River Gorge. Additionally, Wendy has chaired U.S. Bank’s local advisory board for Central and Eastern Oregon, and was a diversity and inclusion ambassador for the bank’s Pacific West Division for several years. She also served on the bank’s Employer of Choice committee, which substantially changed U.S. Bank’s dress code.

EDCO Board Member & Executive Committee Member January 2018-May 2023. Oregon Utility Notification Center, Board of Directors May 2019-June 2020. Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization, Budget Committee Jul 2019 – June 2020. Oregon Utility Safety Council, Council Chair Jan 2018 – Jan 2019, Japan-America Society of Alabama, Board of Directors & Executive Committee Officer Jan 2015 – Jan 2017. International Business Advisory Board, University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Commerce Jan 2014 – Jan 2015.

Region Director, Oregon & NW Washington – Cascade Natural Gas

Don began his career in the utility industry working in Accounting for the Controller at Spire, a natural gas utility in Birmingham, AL. He moved into progressively expanding roles in Market Research & Planning, Business Intelligence, Business Analytics and eventually led the growth team as Director of Business Development. A Central Oregon native, Don moved to Bend in 2017 to begin his role at Cascade Natural Gas.

Member of the board of trustees for the High Desert Museum (Chair 2015 – 2018); member of the Rotary Club of Greater Bend; former member of the Oregon State Bar Legal Services Program Committee (Chair 2014); former member of the Oregon New Lawyers Executive Committee (Chair 2007).

Karnopp Petersen LLP

Since 2000, Josh has been an attorney with Karnopp Petersen LLP. Josh concentrates on complex, civil dispute resolution, particularly involving natural resources such as land and water. He also advises clients on environmental and natural resource issues in Oregon and California. Josh’s practice includes the representation of a federally recognized Indian tribe, providing a suite of general and special counsel services.

Wes is a very active civic volunteer. In addition to serving as an EDCO Board member and participating in the organization’s Executive Committee, he is a past president of the Bend Chamber of Commerce and is a former board member of Rural Development Initiatives. He is a current member of several Urban Growth Boundary technical advisory committees for the City of Bend. He is also the current chair of the Business Oregon Finance Committee, which oversees the Oregon Business Development Loan Fund and other business assistance programs for the State of Oregon.

Price, Fronk & Co. CPAs, Partner Emeritus

Over 30 years of experience with Price Fronk & Co. LLP; partner since 1989.

Many years of coaching youth basketball and baseball, Served on City of Bend Urban Growth Boundary Technical Advisory Committee, Served on EDCO Membership Committee, Broker of record for City of Bend for many years, Currently Broker of record for Deschutes Public Library

Principal Broker, Compass Commercial Real Estate

Commercial real estate broker for over 40 years, owning and managing companies along the way, and personally investing in Central Oregon real estate. Since 2008, with Compass Commercial Real Estate.

Shareholder, Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt

EDCO Board member

Velox Systems, Owner

After graduating from Oregon State University, Jordon started Velox Systems in 2010. Jordan has experience in all types of enterprise level technology, has implemented and maintained dozens of networks, studied under the FBI for malware and corporate espionage prevention, and worked under several of the top-minds in the IT industry during his career.

He volunteers his labor and was a past board member for the Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity. He is currently the Financial Services level board member for EDCO.

Summit Bank, Vice President, Business Client Advisor

Zak is an Oregon native and has been in the banking industry for over 25 years.

EDCO Board Member, St. Charles Foundation Board Member

St Charles Health System, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Prior to joining St. Charles Health System, Matt was a partner in a healthcare advisory firm and investment banker at Morgan Stanley and UBS providing strategic advice and financing for not-for-profit hospitals and health systems nationwide.

EDCO Board Member, former Sisters EDCO Board Member

Vice President of Member & Public Relations, Central Electric Cooperative

Previously worked as federal affairs manager for the Northern California Power Agency—a joint action agency comprised of locally owned electric utilities, special districts, and a rural electric cooperative— from 2008 to early 2019. Before NCPA, Brent spent fifteen years working for the California State Legislature in various capacities, including press secretary, legislative director, and chief-of-staff.

She was first appointed to Madras City Council by applying and getting appointed by the existing council. Later she was elected by the community and began her second term January 2021.

Holcomb is a Real Estate Broker in the city of Madras. She is also the treasurer for the Rotary Club Of Jefferson County. As well as being a certified Level 1 CrossFit Coach coaching at least 20 classes per month.

Prior to becoming a Real Estate Agent she worked for several years at Bright Wood Corporation as a supply chain manager.

EDCO Board member, Former Board Member of the Sisters Chamber of Commerce, Current Board Member with Sisters Circle of Friends, Co-Founded Sisters Fresh Hop Festival.

Prior to Three Creeks, Wade was part of a startup in Phoenix Arizona called E-buyer where he was the General Manager of a $50M e-commerce company.

EDCO Board Member

PacificSource Oregon Market President

Prior to joining PacificSource, Jeremy served as an executive leader with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), where he was responsible for leading the state’s health reform efforts across Medicaid, the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace and public employee health plans. Prior to that role, Jeremy served as health care policy advisor for Governor Kate Brown and as the government relations manager for Kaiser Permanente Northwest Region.

Mandy is heavily involved in the local building industry from education to resources for the contractors. She plays a key role in every aspect of the organization and outreach to the community.

Central Oregon Builders Association, SVP Operations & Sales Manager

15 years in the financial industry

Madras Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce board; Airshow of the Cascades Committee; Madras Public Arts Commission; SMART; Living Hope Christian Center Board

Madras Sanitary Service – President, Co-owner

Mayor – City of Madras; Madras Airport and Industrial Site Committee; Madras City Council; Madras Redevelopment Commission; Madras Public Safety Commission; Madras Sister City Committee

EDCO Board member

City of Redmond, City Manager

Keith was a deputy Director for PDC as well as the Director of Government Relations and Project Coordinator before becoming the City Manager of Redmond. He was also the Policy Director/Manager for the City of Portland.

Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, EDCO Board Member

Owner/ Operator Wunsch Angus Ranch LLC., Operations Manager C-Lazy-K Ranch Inc.

Mark Wunsch is a 4th generation cattle rancher in Jefferson County, President of the Jefferson County Livestock Association (JCLA) for 5 years and Chair for the JCLA 4-H & FFA Auction Committee for 6 years.

EDCO Board Member and Board President, St. Charles Foundation Board, Central Oregon Estate Planning Council, Central Oregon Chapter of Women for Winesense, Family Access Network, Oregon Society of CPA’s Education Foundation, Union County Oregon CASA, P.E.O., Opportunity Knocks, and the Union County Ambassadors.

Sensiba

Amber has been in accounting for over 25 years. She is a Tax Partner at SSF and has work experience in tax, accounting, and financial consulting fields.

She was appointed to the Redmond City Council in December 2001 & was the former Vice Chair of the Redmond Urban Area Planning Commission. She is now the current 2022 President of the Central Oregon Association of REALTORS. She is chair of the Oregon REALTORS Safety Committee & is also involved with the Central Oregon Childcare Task Force.

Cat is currently the Managing Principal Broker & owner of Desert Sky Estate, LLC. who opened their doors in 2008.

She was first licensed in Northern Virginia in May 1994 & has been a full time broker since.