Tom Barrett
BendTel

Current Employment: Founder & CEO of BendTel, Inc.
Past Experience: 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.
Civic Involvement: 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.

Brian Bergler
First Interstate Bank

Current Employment: First Interstate Bank, SVP, Corporate Real Estate & Facilities
Past Experience: 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.
Civic Involvement: Former President/Board Member of the Central Oregon Builders Association from 2004 to 2008.

Anthony Broadman
Galanda Broadman PLLC

Current Employment: Lawyer, Galanda Broadman PLLC
Past Experience: 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.
Civic Involvement: 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.

Katy Brooks
Bend Chamber of Commerce

Current Employment: Bend Chamber of Commerce, CEO
Past Experience: 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.
Civic Involvement: 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.

Matthew Chancellor
Pacific Power

Current Employment: Pacific Power, Regional Business Manager
Past Experience: 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.
Civic Involvement: 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.

Phil Chang
Deschutes County

Current Employment: Deschutes County Commissioner
Past Experience: Phil has served on the Boards of Bend 2030, the Deschutes Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and the River West Neighborhood Association
Civic Involvement: 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.

Laurie Chesley
Central Oregon Community College

Current Employment: Central Oregon Community College, President
Past Experience: 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.
Civic Involvement: EDCO Board Member

Kevin Cole
Mid Oregon Credit Union

Current Employment: President of Mid Oregon Credit Union
Past Experience: Joined Mid Oregon in 2016 as the Chief Financial Officer, later obtaining the role of Executive Vice President & finally being named President in 2021
Civic Involvement: 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

Kim Daniels
Prineville-Crook County Chamber of Commerce

Current Employment: Prineville-Crook County Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director
Past Experience: Kim has had over 13 years of experience working in marketing and advertising. 
Civic Involvement: 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.

Russ Deboodt
Prineville Fire Marshal

Current Employment: Division Chief of the Marshal for Crook County Fire & Rescue
Past Experience: 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.
Civic Involvement: 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.

Steve Forrester
City of Prineville, City Manager

Current Employment: City of Prineville, City Manager
Past Experience: Has spent 25 years in the Forest Products Industry, serving as a general manager of facilities in Redmond, Lakeview, White City, and Prineville Oregon.
Civic Involvement: Pioneer Memorial Hospital Board, Community Bank Board, Crooked River Roundup Board, Crook County Budget Committee, Crook County School District Facility Committee, EDCO Board, and the League of Oregon Cities.

Lance Gillies
EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles

Current Employment: EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles, Founder & CEO
Past Experience: Lance’s background and experience are in the motor vehicle bodybuilding, off-roading and transport industries. He has successfully started and sold many businesses before launching EarthCruiser.
Civic Involvement: EDCO Board Member

Jeremy Groh
Combined Communications

Current Employment: Combined Communications, General Manager
Past Experience: 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.
Civic Involvement: Opportunity Knocks Member.

Jennifer Holcomb
Madras City Council

Current Employment: 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.
Past Experience: Prior to becoming a Real Estate Agent she worked for several years at Bright Wood Corporation as a supply chain manager.
Civic Involvement: 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.

Julianne Horner
Aon

Current Employment: Vice President of Aon Pac NW. Julianne focuses on innovative insurance and consulting services that address all aspects of employer risk, no matter industry, size or geography.

Past Experience: Julianne was with Providence Health plan as an Account Executive in commercial sales. Prior to that she was an independent agent focused on the needs of small and large employers in the building and manufacturing industries for over 16 years.

Civic Involvement: Current: EDCO Board Member, OAHU (Oregon Association of Health Underwriters) Board Chair. Past: Chair, Sisters Chapter Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) (2013 – 2018), Sisters Sports Initiative Board (2011 – 2016), Portland State University Alumni Board (2001- 2011), West Linn Basketball Board Member (2007- 2009), West Linn Lacrosse Board Member (2007- 2009), Willamette United Soccer Board Member and Coach (2001-2009), West Linn School District PTSA Executive Board (2001-2009), The Boys and Girls Aid Society (2004-2009), and High School Girls Basketball Coach for over 15 years.

Coby Horton
U.S. Bank

Current Employment: U.S. Bank, Regional President
Past Experience: Before becoming the Regional President for U.S. Bank Coby was the Vice President Commercial Banking Manager. He has also worked as the Vice President Business Banking Manager for Wells Fargo Bank.
Civic Involvement: EDCO Board Member, Bend Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Bend Economic Development Advisory Board, Better Together Board member, and Greater Bend Rotary Member.

Andrew Ketsdever
Oregon State University-Cascades

Current Employment: Oregon State University-Cascades Campus, Vice President
Past Experience: Andrew Ketsdever assumed the role of interim vice president of Oregon State University – Cascades on May 1, 2021.  Prior to that, he served as dean of academic affairs and the chief academic officer for the campus with responsibility for expanding degree programs to meet industry needs, advancing research efforts and leading faculty instructors and researchers. He serves on the OSU-Cascades leadership team and has standing as a professor in OSU’s School of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.
Civic Involvement: EDCO Board Member

Erik Kropp
Deschutes County

Current Employment: Deputy County Administrator & Risk Manager at Deschutes County
Past Experience: 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
Civic Involvement: Volunteer coach for youth & High School Sports

Greg Lambert
Mid Oregon Personnel

Current Employment: Mid Oregon Personnel, President & CEO
Past Experience: Founded Mid Oregon Personnel in 1984.
Civic Involvement: EDCO Board Member

Jennifer Letz
City of Sisters, City Councilor

Current Employment: City of Sisters, City Councilor

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

Civic Involvement: 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).

Tia Lewis
Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt

Current Employment: Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, Shareholder
Past Experience: Tia has been practicing law for 25 years. Previously she focused on areas in Real Estate and Land Use.
Civic Involvement: EDCO Board member; Deschutes Children’s Foundation, past board chair and current board member since 2006; Rotary Club of Bend.

Don Moore
Cascade Natural Gas

Current Employment: Cascade Natural Gas, Region Director – Oregon
Past Experience: Director of Business Development, Spire – Birmingham, Alabama.
Civic Involvement: Japan-America Society of Alabama (JASA) Board of Directors, Executive Committee Officer, Children’s Hospital of Alabama – Committee for the Future, University of Alabama, Culverhouse College of Commerce – International Business Advisory Board

Bob Moro
Skanska USA Building

Current Employment: Skanska USA Building, Project Executive
Past Experience: Bob has been with Skanska USA Building for over 21 years.
Civic Involvement: EDCO Board Member. Built the NW Cottages in Bend for Habitat for Humanity. Earth Day clean-up activities with Bend Parks and Rec.

Josh Newton
Karnopp Petersen LLP

Current Employment: Karnopp Petersen LLP
Past Experience: 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.
Civic Involvement: 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).

Michele O’Hara
Opportunity Knocks, Executive Director

Current Employment: Opportunity Knocks, Executive Director
Past Experience: Michele’s work is grounded in the creation of connections between brands and the people they serve. Through her passion, vision and leadership, she has earned a reputation as a brand leader and change agent.

Civic Involvement: Executive Board Member for REDI, Redmond Economic Development, Executive Director for Opportunity Knocks, Central Oregon, Leadership Bend 2015 & 16, Founding Member, Board of Directors, Portland Fashion Week, Governance Committee Member, Portland Center Stage Theatre, Founder and Executive Director of BecomeX & BecomeU, Co-chair for Multiple Sclerosis Auction, Portland, Previous Member of Board of Directors, Self Enhancement Inc., Portland, Past Board Director, Executive Committee Member, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Previous Member of Young Entrepreneurs Organization, Portland, OR

Wes Price
Price, Fronk & Co. CPAs

Current Employment: Price, Fronk & Co. CPAs, Partner
Past Experience: Over 30 years of experience with Price Fronk & Co. LLP; partner since 1989.
Civic Involvement: 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.

Justin Sivill
Summit Health

Current Employment: Summit Health, Regional Chief Operating Officer
Past Experience: Before joining Summit Health,  Justin spent nearly fifteen years in healthcare management leading healthcare groups and hospitals in quality improvement and medical home development across eight states.  These groups include Harrison Health Partners where he served as Medical Group Director of Operations while simultaneously serving as Interim Director of Quality and Population Health (Outpatient) for the entire Franciscan Health System
Civic Involvement: EDCO Board member

Jordan Smith
Velox Systems

Current Employment: Velox Systems, Owner
Past Experience: 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.
Civic Involvement: EDCO Board member

Zak Sundsten
Idaho First Bank

Current Employment: Idaho First Bank, VP, Commercial Relationship Manager
Past Experience: Zak has been in the banking industry for over 20 years.
Civic Involvement: He volunteers his labor and sits on the board of directors for the Bend Area Habitat for Humanity. He is currently the Financial level board member for EDCO.

Brent ten Pas
Central Electric Cooperative

Current Employment: Central Electric Cooperative, Director of Member Services and Public Relations
Past Experience: Previously worked as federal affairs manager for the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA)—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.
Civic Involvement: EDCO Board member

Julia Theisen
Visit Central Oregon

Current Employment: Visit Central Oregon, CEO
Past Experience: Julia has a background in sales and marketing. She worked as VP of Sales and Marketing with Aspen Chamber Resort Association for 10 years. Before that, she worked for PGA Tour for 6 years as a Sales and Marketing Manager.
Civic Involvement: EDCO Board member

Wade Underwood 
Three Creeks Brewing Company

Current Employment: Three Creeks Brewing Company, Owner & General Manager
Past Experience: 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.
Civic Involvement: 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.

Jeremy Vandehey

PacificSource

Current Employment: PacificSource Oregon Market President

Past Experience: 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.

Civic Involvement: EDCO Board Member

Mandy Weidman
COBA

Current Employment: Central Oregon Builders Association, SVP Operations & Sales Manager
Past Experience: 15 years in the financial industry
Civic Involvement: 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.

Melanie Widmer
City of Madras

Current Employment: Madras Sanitary Service – President, Co-owner
Past Experience: Mayor – City of Madras; Madras Airport and Industrial Site Committee; Madras City Council; Madras Redevelopment Commission; Madras Public Safety Commission; Madras Sister City Committee
Current Civic Involvement: Madras Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce board; Airshow of the Cascades Committee; Madras Public Arts Commission; SMART; Living Hope Christian Center Board

Keith Witcosky
City of Redmond

Current Employment: City of Redmond, City Manager
Past Experience: 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.
Civic Involvement: EDCO Board member

Amber Yates
Sensiba San Filippo

Current Employment: Sensiba San Filippo
Past Experience: 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.
Civic Involvement: 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.

Cat Zwicker
Redmond City Council

Current Employment: Cat is currently the Managing Principal Broker & owner of Desert Sky Estate, LLC. who opened their doors in 2008.
Past Experience: She was first licensed in Northern Virginia in May of 1994 & has been a full time broker since.
Civic Involvement: She was appointed to the Redmond City Council in December of 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.