Prineville, OR 97754
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the team
the team
the team
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If you could write your own job title concerning what you do here, what would it be? Chaos Coordinator Extraordinaire – that does it all with a sense of humor and a smile. I have also been referred to as “Prineville’s Cheerleader”.
Describe any professional designations and industry-related accomplishments. I graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelors degree in Journalism and Communication. I have 15 years experience as a marketing coordinator for Les Schwab who was a very community oriented company. That and my love for Prineville, prepared me for this position. I also served on the Prineville – Crook County Chamber Board of Directors for a year prior to taking my position with the Chamber.
What inspires you about working for the Prineville – Crook County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center? I love helping people. Being able to be an extension of the business community and assist our members with resources and tools is very rewarding. I also love how this town is getting known and making a larger mark on the map. Whatever we do to bring tourists into Prineville trickles down and helps fund so much in this town. Jobs, economic development, infrastructure, real estate and development, arts and entertainment, and recreation opportunities are all given a boost from our local tourism dollars.
Give us a few personal details. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my teenage girls (most days) and tending to my two dogs (Nate Dogg and Hazel), one cat (Nelly Purr-tado) and five chickens that I affectionately named after rappers because ‘they know how to lay it down’. I also love spending time out and about in Prineville getting to visit the shops, restaurants, and events that make this town so special.
Tell us what inspires you, or provide your favorite inspirational quote. My goal is to live up to what I remind my kids to do daily as I drop them at school “Be kind, learn something new, and make good choices”
What Netflix Series do you most recommend? The Kindness Diaries. Spoiler alert – have tissues handy!
What are three things still left on your bucket list? Visiting the town of my grandmother in Bari, Italy. Owning a tiny house. Finding out there is a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.
If you could write your own job title concerning what you do here, what would it be? Event planner, Prineville promoter, recomend’er, do’er of the things.
Describe any professional designations and industry-related accomplishments. I’ve owned 5 businesses in my life so far. One, of which had me wandering around Europe with a team of coders and home basing in Poland.
What inspires you about working for the Prineville – Crook County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center? The rural community of Prineville has a special place in my heart. Its the home away from home. Growing up in a town very similar to Prineville, I couldn’t help but fall in love. But the business community, they are why I’m here. Literally and figuratively. From barber to butcher shops, ranchers, diners and boutiques. The business community is the heart beat of Crook County. Prineville has all the hints of the old wild west paired with a fresh upgrade in technology and innovation. You see Prineville best when driving on the back roads and get a two finger wave. When you order at the local Taco Time and the cashier calls you hun. Where a local sandwich shops becomes a meeting place for city and county officials, entrepreneurs, business owners and friends catching up. Its one of those places that escorts its high schools sports teams to state with a parade and respects its veterans. A place that has its own unique history and community members. A community proud of its roots, proud of its past and proud of where its headed. A business community that supports one another. You can see the best parts of Prineville in the little nooks and crannies of everyday life.
Give us a few personal details. You can typically find me on the river or hiking during the spring and summer. Nature plays a really big role in my mental well being. I play guitar and I also really like photography. I recently started a jewelry business which has been baptism by fire when it comes to learning the ins and outs of running and owning a product based business.
Tell us what inspires you, or provide your favorite inspirational quote. I find my inspiration from Rocky Balboa, “The World ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. Its a very mean and nasty place…and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently, if you let it. You, me or nobody, is gonna hit as hard as life. But ain’t about how hard you hit…it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward… how much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done. Now, if you know what your worth, go out and get what your worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits and no pointing fingers saying: You ain’t what you wanna be because of him or her or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that”
What’s on your bucket list? Climbing Middle Sister (happening this summer), I’d like to visit Maui, catch a huge brown trout.
If you could write your own job title concerning what you do here, what would it be? Office Team Captain, AKA: “Google”.
Describe any professional designations and industry-related accomplishments. I have extensive professional office experience and management as well as a lot of side hustle. But, by far my biggest accomplishments are my 4 amazing children.
What inspires you about working for the Prineville – Crook County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center? The atmosphere we create at the Chamber between the three of us makes working at the Chamber quite entertaining. But this small town and genuine people I’ve met over the last couple years and the relationships I’ve formed really make the difference in my work. Being the hub of information and working with the business community and helping navigate the world of business is both challenging and satisfying. Knowing that I am helping in my own way makes me happy at the end of the day.
Give us a few personal details. It’s no surprise that God and family is the most precious and important thing in my life. You can find me at high school sporting events, cheering my oldest daughter through dance. At middle school choir listening to my youngest daughter sing like an angel. Driving my mom or youngest boy to appointments or shopping, making sure they have everything they want and need. You can find me snuggling my oldest son’s new baby or just out with friends catching up over a beer. I’m surrounded by good people but more than anything I also enjoy a good hike and a place that I can spend time talking to God.
Tell us what inspires you, or provide your favorite inspirational quote. “Live in such a way, that those who know you, but don’t know God, will come to know God because they know you”
I was born and raised in Central Oregon and love everything about the High Desert.
My wife and I moved to Prineville in 2007 with our two kids who are now teenagers. I graduated from Eastern Oregon University with a degree in Economics, Political Science, and Philosophy and started my career as a journalist. From 2007-2012, I was the Economic Development Director for the community and I’m passionate about making sure we have a healthy economy and opportunities for people to find meaningful work. I’m an elected member of the Crook County Parks & Recreation District, and I also serve on the boards of the Prineville Hospital Foundation, Crook County Foundation, and the Crook County High School Booster Club.
In my spare time, I coach youth basketball and love to camp, travel, and spend time with my family. I’m an avid follower of history and plan to read a biography of every U.S. President. So far, my favorite book is about James Garfield who served as our 20th President.