September 27th, 2023
2nd Annual Central Oregon Business Forum
2nd Annual Central Oregon Business Forum
Business leaders from across our region are gathering at the Central Oregon Business Forum to learn, share best practices, build valuable connections, and prepare to thrive in the year ahead. The program will include presentations from local business leaders, and unique, directed peer-peer roundtable discussions. Join us and sharpen your competitive business practices.
2023 Agenda TBD
2023 Agenda TBD
Last Year's Agenda:
Topics and Speakers:
Session 1. The Workforce Drought. Selecting and Retaining an Engaged Workforce.
Presenter: Matt Ertle, President - Pridestaff
Matt Ertle is a local business owner who owns and operates the Staffing firm PrideStaff and Executive Recruiting firm G.A. Rogers. His wife Ashley is a primary school teacher of 21 years, and they have two active children in the Bend-La Pine School District.
Matt Ertle and his team at PrideStaff partner with companies, both large and small, looking for better solutions to the way they are currently staffing their businesses. Clients recommend and validate the value of PrideStaff, instilling confidence to use its people and services. From temporary staffing to direct hire placement, the PrideStaff team assists clients to source, interview, and recruit candidates for ♦ accounting ♦ administrative ♦ clerical ♦ customer service ♦ light industrial and ♦ manufacturing positions. PrideStaffmakes it all about you. Staffing excellence is built upon two fundamental principles: client service and quality job candidates. To ensure the entire team is invested in your success,
♦ We track results ♦ We make it personal ♦ We build loyalty ♦ We celebrate success
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Session 2. Cyber Security for Small Business - Managing Risks You Don't even Know You Have
Presenters: Jordan Smith, CEO and Erin O'Donnell vCIO - Velox Systems
Jordan Smith graduated from Oregon State University School of Engineering in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Computer Science. Subsequently involved in the Information Technology world, Jordan started the company in 2010. He continues to guide Velox Systems in developing industry-leading solutions to modern technology needs.
Jordan has experience in all types of enterprise-level technology. For example, he has:
· Implemented and maintained dozens of networks
· Studied under the FBI for malware and corporate espionage prevention
· Worked under several of the top minds in the IT industry during his career.
Continuing education is a significant component of what he does to stay ahead of the game. You’ll see him at PubTalks and the Bend Venture Conference. Occasionally, you’ll have an opportunity to learn from him at the Bend Young Professionals Summit.
_________________________
Erin O'Donnell received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from OSU-Cascades in 2014. Since then, she has worked in several fields and levels of management. This has given her a deep understanding of what small businesses need. Erin has been a trailblazer at Velox Systems; helping create and define the vCIO role. Her primary focus is serving our clients well. For example, some of the focus points are:
· Cybersecurity
· Compliance (HIPPA, CMMC, GDPR, NY Shield, etc.)
· Budgeting and forecasting
As a result, Erin is helping keep our clients on track and on budget. This mindset has been instrumental in helping our customers grow.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Session 3. Stop the Bleeding - Cash Flow Strategies for Stagflation
Presenter: Kevin Palmer, CFO - Bright Wood
Kevin Palmer is the Chief Financial Officer for Bright Wood Corporation, a large wood products manufacturing company headquartered in Madras, Oregon. Kevin joined Bright Wood in 2013 and is responsible for all financial aspects of the company, including financial reporting, cost accounting, treasury management, IT, legal and retirement benefits.
Prior to joining Bright Wood, Kevin spent 25 years in increasingly responsible roles within JELD-WEN’s Corporate Finance Group. Kevin began his career in public accounting and remains a licensed CPA in the State of Oregon.
Kevin is active in the Central Oregon community, currently serving on the Board of Trustees of the High Desert Museum, the Budget and Bond Oversight Committees of the Redmond School District, and the Redmond Park and Recreation District Bond Campaign Committee.
Topics and Speakers:
Session 1. The Workforce Drought. Selecting and Retaining an Engaged Workforce.
Presenter: Matt Ertle, President - Pridestaff
Matt Ertle is a local business owner who owns and operates the Staffing firm PrideStaff and Executive Recruiting firm G.A. Rogers. His wife Ashley is a primary school teacher of 21 years, and they have two active children in the Bend-La Pine School District.
Matt Ertle and his team at PrideStaff partner with companies, both large and small, looking for better solutions to the way they are currently staffing their businesses. Clients recommend and validate the value of PrideStaff, instilling confidence to use its people and services. From temporary staffing to direct hire placement, the PrideStaff team assists clients to source, interview, and recruit candidates for ♦ accounting ♦ administrative ♦ clerical ♦ customer service ♦ light industrial and ♦ manufacturing positions. PrideStaffmakes it all about you. Staffing excellence is built upon two fundamental principles: client service and quality job candidates. To ensure the entire team is invested in your success,
♦ We track results ♦ We make it personal ♦ We build loyalty ♦ We celebrate success
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Session 2. Cyber Security for Small Business - Managing Risks You Don't even Know You Have
Presenters: Jordan Smith, CEO and Erin O'Donnell vCIO - Velox Systems
Jordan Smith graduated from Oregon State University School of Engineering in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Computer Science. Subsequently involved in the Information Technology world, Jordan started the company in 2010. He continues to guide Velox Systems in developing industry-leading solutions to modern technology needs.
Jordan has experience in all types of enterprise-level technology. For example, he has:
· Implemented and maintained dozens of networks
· Studied under the FBI for malware and corporate espionage prevention
· Worked under several of the top minds in the IT industry during his career.
Continuing education is a significant component of what he does to stay ahead of the game. You’ll see him at PubTalks and the Bend Venture Conference. Occasionally, you’ll have an opportunity to learn from him at the Bend Young Professionals Summit.
_________________________
Erin O'Donnell received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from OSU-Cascades in 2014. Since then, she has worked in several fields and levels of management. This has given her a deep understanding of what small businesses need. Erin has been a trailblazer at Velox Systems; helping create and define the vCIO role. Her primary focus is serving our clients well. For example, some of the focus points are:
· Cybersecurity
· Compliance (HIPPA, CMMC, GDPR, NY Shield, etc.)
· Budgeting and forecasting
As a result, Erin is helping keep our clients on track and on budget. This mindset has been instrumental in helping our customers grow.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Session 3. Stop the Bleeding - Cash Flow Strategies for Stagflation
Presenter: Kevin Palmer, CFO - Bright Wood
Kevin Palmer is the Chief Financial Officer for Bright Wood Corporation, a large wood products manufacturing company headquartered in Madras, Oregon. Kevin joined Bright Wood in 2013 and is responsible for all financial aspects of the company, including financial reporting, cost accounting, treasury management, IT, legal and retirement benefits.
Prior to joining Bright Wood, Kevin spent 25 years in increasingly responsible roles within JELD-WEN’s Corporate Finance Group. Kevin began his career in public accounting and remains a licensed CPA in the State of Oregon.
Kevin is active in the Central Oregon community, currently serving on the Board of Trustees of the High Desert Museum, the Budget and Bond Oversight Committees of the Redmond School District, and the Redmond Park and Recreation District Bond Campaign Committee.
