ABOUT

Native Oregonian. Family roots in Bend, Oregon, since 1930. Williamette Valley born and bred. Oregon State University, Forest Managment. Involved in the Art and Custom Picture Framing Business for 25 plus years. National Account Relationship Manager for a major West Coast bank for 7 years. Credit Risk Manager for a major West Coast Bank for 5 years National Account Executive for a Bend, Oregon SaaS Utility Billing software company for 4 years. Current: Operations and Marketing Manager for a downtown Bend Business for 19 years Current: Part-time Gallery Manager, for a Sisters, Oregon art gallery for 2 years Nicely bugged Chuck Arnold about downtown opportunities for numerous years Attended 80% of DBBA Board meetings for the last 4 years Prior Sisters Chamber of Commerce board member 2005-2007 Initiated several collaborative marketing campaigns with the Bend Bulletin and the Source Weekly Member of the Sisters Gallery Association Member of the Bend Gallery Association Member of the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce Member of the Sisters Business Association Active in EDCO Bend Venture Conference 2022-2024 Active EDCO Pub Talk attendee - Woot Woot! Regular virtual attendee of the Sisters and Bend Council Meetings and the Bend Economic Development Advisory Board.

WHAT ARE DOWNTOWN’S THREE GREATEST ASSETS?

Small town feel with a sense of community - a place locals and visitors choose to experience A passionate and diverse business environment of independent, small, and unique Central Oregon businesses A hub of year-round activity with fabulous foodie and entertainment options.

WHAT ARE DOWNTOWN’S THREE GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES?

Storytelling: Continue to market downtown and its uniqueness. Downtown Bend is special. Communicate: Reassure the public that downtown is safe, inclusive, and darn right fun Collaborate: Continue working with the City to improve parking through short-term and long-term solutions. Be data-driven: Continue the good work on obtaining feedback from visitors, locals, and business owners. The DBBA needs to be data-driven in its policy decisions and recommendations.

WHAT ARE DOWNTOWN’S THREE GREATEST CHALLENGES?

Educate the public about downtown, including safety, parking, and services, and the associated agencies responsible for it. Funding: Downtown needs to look for ways to fund maintenance, beautification, infrastructure changes that impact traffic, and parking solutions, including a parking garage. Downtown needs to remain a downtown—a vibrant district with access to businesses, alleyways, and parking. The DBBA needs to work with the City to accommodate non-vehicle modes of traffic, but not at the expense of limiting vehicles, parking, and access.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE ON THE DBBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS?

Contribute to improving the viability of Downtown Bend, Oregon Participate in marketing initiatives that bring value to downtown businesses and building owners. I love to be social, problem-solve, collaborate, and compromise when needed, all while having great conversations. I don’t come with an agenda.