Prineville, OR 97754
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The Team
The Team
ex officio
The Team
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I am the Owner & Lead Coordinator at Firefly Events and I have been planning and coordinating events for over a decade. I also recently took on a role as a local real estate broker here in Crook County.
Where you grew up and what brought you to, or kept you in Prineville.
I grew up around southern Oregon. I made a road trip to Prineville with a cousin, on that trip I was introduced to a handsome young Prineville man that later became my husband. I love Prineville and although I wasn’t raised here over the last 16 years it truly has come to feel like my hometown.
I was working for a business that was a Chamber member and I was looking for opportunities to get involved in the community. After several years of attending Chamber functions I was encouraged to join the Ambassador team and then the Board. It has been a great learning experience and a lot of fun to be part of the Chamber both as a member and on the Board.
I love the weather in Prineville. After growing up in the valley with so many days of rain I truly appreciated having (mostly) defined seasons. Summertime in Prineville is definitely my all-time favorite! We enjoy paddle boarding at Ochoco reservoir, swimming at the Prineville reservoir, floating the refreshing Crooked River, hiking the Barnes Butte or Chimney Rock trails and riding our ATV’s on the many OHV trails.
Like Johnny Cash, I’ve been everywhere man. While calling Oregon my home state, from childhood to adult life I have lived in 14 different states (Oregon 4 times) and 27 different towns/cities. I’ve traveled into 49 states, leaving Alaska for my bucket list.
My years in Oregon were as a teenager in the Willamette Valley and I recall coming to Central Oregon for long weekends when there were literally 10,000 people in Bend. A lot has changed, but Central Oregon had a lasting impression in my mind
Living across the US for 40+ years enabled me to expand professional interests, having developed and managed real estate ventures, owned and operated small businesses and a web and business software development company. My fondest efforts came in community work with both non-profit organizations and small business development while also providing student programs at the high school level.
My wife and I decided on Prineville as the final place to call home as it spoke volumes in the values of community and lifestyle. Community involvement has always been a part of my life and the Chamber in Prineville is one of the finest I’ve seen. I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I have experience to contribute in helping with planning and growth opportunities, business development and management and most importantly, building valued relationships within and outwardly with other communities.
In addition to being a new board member, I am also President of the High Desert Food and Farm’s (HDFFA) board of directors. Loving Central Oregon!
I was born in Albany but grew up in the Gresham area. Any chance we had, we were coming to central or Eastern Oregon to play. I remember coming to Prineville when I was a kid. I always thought that it was a great place. When the opportunity opened up to relocate my agency, I jumped at the chance. I have been an agency owner with American Family Insurance since 2000 and had an agency in SE Portland until 2011. I closed my Portland office and opened in Prineville in May of 2011.
When I moved here I did not know a single person. There was a Chamber After Hours hosted by the Central Oregonian on a Thursday afternoon during my first couple of weeks here. I decided to go check it out. I met several amazing people that first night. They made me feel so welcome! Because of that evening, I have made many friends and business connections. I contribute a lot of my success here in the community to networking done through the Chamber of Commerce.
The best thing about Prineville is the sense of community that exists here. People look out for each other. There is a genuine love and acceptance of people that I did not experience growing up in a bigger city.
I have 4 kids so a lot of my spare time is spent at the grocery store. When I’m not working or grocery shopping I love to get outside and spend time in the woods, at the reservoir or on the golf course.
I grew up in Prineville, moved away after school, and moved back in 2014. I had always wanted to move back to Prineville and finally had the right opportunity.
I believe a healthy and active visitor center and chamber of commerce are critical to the vitality of a small community. Being involved in the chamber is a way for me to continue to support two key functions of the community, tourism, and the development of our business community. I think we live in an amazing community and I love having a small part in continuing to make it a great place to live.
As one of the oldest cities in Central Oregon Prineville has a deep history. The historic sites, geography, and diverse recreation opportunities all combine to make Prineville/Crook County one of the best places in the west to live. I love tracking down historic sites and exploring the vast miles of open country and public lands Crook County has to offer. When I am not at work or volunteering in the community, I’m out in the back country exploring, hiking, camping and enjoying the outdoors.
I was born and raised in Prineville where I graduated from Crook County High School in 2009. After that, I moved to Portland where I attended both Pacific University and the University of Western States for Chiropractic School.
After ten years, I returned to Prineville and am now an Associate Chirpractor at Slater Chiropractic.
Since moving back, I have enjoyed how close this community is and realized how much I missed all that Crook County has to offer compared to the big city. I started attending Chamber events to become more involved in our community and am excited to continue working with the Chamber in the role of board member.
I love spending my free time with friends and family, and enjoy getting out to explore all of Central Oregon. I enjoy hiking, rock climbing, camping, kayaking and many other outdoor activities available in this beautiful area I get to call home.
I grew up on a small cattle ranch in rural Southern Oregon which taught me the values of hard work, family and a rural way of life. I made the move to Central Oregon in 1993 for all of its beauty and activities. Over the almost 3 decades in Central Oregon I have seen as many have, the incredible growth and expansion of this wonderful area. In 2018 my wife and I decided to get back to a rural lifestyle in Crook County. With its diverse community and wide variety and ever expanding industry, the area has maintained a small town rural feel and culture.
After 25 years in Insurance and Investments, my wife and I decided to open DFP Financial & Consulting, a private Wealth Management, Planning and Consulting Firm. 2021 marks our 2 years anniversary in serving Crook County through DFP Financial & Consulting. We completely enjoy the people, community and all Crook County has to offer. Being part of the Prineville Chamber is an important focus for us to give back to and help the business of the community.
In our spare time we enjoy our family and grandchildren; camping, riding horses and doing all that Central Oregon and Crook County offer, and fly fishing the Crooked River as often as possible.
As the parents of three children, my wife and I care deeply about the traditional culture and values of Crook County. We know that this is a great place to raise our children, and we want it to be a place where they can raise a family of their own.
My family has lived in Crook County for four generations. Public service is a family tradition and it is one that I am proud to continue.
The quality of life in Crook County is what sets us apart. As we continue to make choices about how we grow, it is something that we can’t lose sight of. I am committed to preserving the best of Crook County.
I have been the owner of Pack Ship & More in Bend since 2019 and a Chamber member since 2020.
I grew up in Prineville and graduated from Crook County High School in 1993. I joined the Army in 1995 and retired in 2015. I moved back to Prineville to be with family and to transform from serving my country to serving my community. I feel indebted to the community that has played such a large role in my personal and professional success and serving on the Chamber Board is a good way to give back.
Prineville is such an amazing little town. The people have always set it apart. Watching our residents come to the aid of individuals and small businesses during the pandemic is a perfect example of why this is not only a great place to raise children, but also a great place to open a business. As a small business owner myself, I want to make sure that I continue to support and fight for small businesses as they contribute to the local economy, bring growth and innovation to our community as well as provide employment opportunities.
In my free time I enjoy hiking at Barnes Butte Trail, the Crooked River Wetlands, and spending as much time as possible in the Ochoco National Forest.
If you could write your own job title concerning what you do here, what would it be? I plant, and then nurture, the seeds of change and growth!
Describe any professional designations and industry-related accomplishments. I like to have as many tools in my toolbox as possible! I am a general notary, a master gardener, have an OLCC license and food handlers card, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology. You’ll often see me around Central Oregon working local events during the weekend. For most of my life, I have lived and breathed hospitality and tourism. I love chatting with people, especially those who have the travel bug – like me!
What inspires you about working for the Prineville – Crook County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center? People inspire me! Being able to support those who do what they love every day is what inspires me about working at the Chamber!
Give us a few personal details. I love music, dancing, and traveling! If you ever come to my house, you’ll find the record player roaring, a couple of candles lit, and a plethora of memorabilia from my adventures!
Tell us what inspires you, or provide your favorite inspirational quote. “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou
