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September Membership Forum
Wednesday, September 24th, 11:30am
Mike Parker, Voice of the Beavers, OSU, Sports Announcer
Mike Parker, known as the Voice of the Oregon State Beavers, was born in Los Angeles and raised in Hacienda Heights, California, before moving to Cottage Grove, Oregon, at age fourteen His passion for sports was sparked early attending his first MLB game at age seven and inspired by the legendary Vin Scully to pursue sports broadcasting After graduating from the University of Oregon in 1982 with a degree in Rhetoric and Communications, Parker began his announcing career with the Eugene Emeralds and later the Portland Beavers He also worked pre- and post-game shows for the Portland Trail Blazers while pursuing his dream of calling playby-play for major sports
That dream came true in 1999 when Parker was named the play-by-play announcer for Oregon State University, where he has since become a beloved voice for Beaver football, basketball, and baseball. In addition to his OSU role, Parker works with the Corvallis Knights and co-hosts the Joe Beaver Show on KEJO-AM. His career has been shaped by both triumphs and challenges, and he credits his deep connection to Beaver Nation and the athletes and coaches he has encountered along the way for making it all worthwhile.
Help these local Chamber Members get Albany students started off strong this year!
Albany Boys & Girls Club
Albany Public Schools Foundation Every Child Linn-Benton Jackson Street Youth Services Red Canoe Credit Union
SponsoredBy:
An Oregon native, Berlee started her career path as a Bookkeeper. In January 2003, she moved from bookkeeping to the more creative and fulfilling path of Gift Basket Designer officially starting (Gift Baskets by) Berlee’s Fancies. Since then, Berlee has enjoyed doing business providing ‘Designed to Impress!’ gift baskets to businesses in the Albany, Lebanon, Corvallis and Salem area. Berlee’s Fancies focuses on ‘B2B’ gift designs including custom logo-imprinted ribbon and labels PLUS the option for custom logo-designed containers. Product quality, customer satisfaction and integrity are the most important aspects to her business! Berlee’s Fancies has been honored to receive several trophies and recognitions over the years for her designs.
You and your company’s community involvement: Sadly, as the years keep creeping up, Berlee has slowed down a bit in community activities. Berlee’s Fancies, as always, is happy to provide discounted gift/gift baskets to the non-profits in the area. She is still involved in the Chamber and various networking groups. Berlee is on the WIB Task Force and provides the Thank You gift basket for the speakers for WIB. Also, a yearly participant in the annual Business Extravaganza which she LOVES! On that note, Berlee’s Fancies is offering a discount to the other participants for their booth prizes ordered by Aug 8, 2025.
Biggest Issue Facing Albany: Parking and Street Repairs
Business Marketing Niche: Berlee’s Fancies markets to the B2B (Business to Business) community and enjoys the challenges this market offers. As to ‘Marketing’: Face-to-Face is always best and creates ‘top-of-mind’ awareness. Also: When you show up, SHOW UP! Thank you to all my clients over the years! You are what makes my business thrive and my days a blessing!!
Oregon has plummeted 11 places in CNBC’s widely followed America’s Top States for Business rankings, falling from 28th place in 2024 to 39th in 2025. The rankings, released today, assess states in 10 categories and assign an overall ranking. Oregon’s 2025 overall score is its lowest in the history of CNBC’s rankings and a stunning 22 places lower than its 17thplace ranking just eight years ago (2017).
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“CNBC’s rankings echo what businesses have been telling state leaders for years,” said Angela Wilhelms, president and CEO of Oregon Business & Industry. “Oregon’s slipping competitiveness should alarm policymakers. It’s well past time for them to listen to the business community and take serious action to improve the business climate. After all, a healthy private sector is necessary to generate increased prosperity, greater philanthropy and tax revenue for important government services.”
Oregon’s rankings slipped in several key areas this year. The state’s economy ranking dropped seven places, to 41st; its cost-of-doingbusiness ranking fell nine places, to 43rd; and its cost-of-living ranking fell eight places, to 45th. Oregon’s ranking also fell dramatically for quality of life (from 6th to 19th) and technology and innovation (from 9th to 14th).
The state’s rankings increased in some areas. Oregon gained three places for infrastructure (14th), 13 places for workforce (23rd), two places for education (35th), one place for access to capital (24th) and one place for business friendliness (47th). California joined New Jersey and New York this year as the only states deemed less business-friendly than Oregon.
“CNBC’s methodology this year considered some factors beyond states’ control, including risks from a trade war and a shrinking federal budget, and that’s appropriate given that those issues can impact states differentially,” noted Wilhelms. “But that’s a small piece of the overall rankings picture. Blaming those national issues for Oregon’s eroding competitiveness while ignoring the state’s own policies and climate is a red herring.”
Henderer Design + Build + Remodel has been honored as a 2025 Chrysalis Award Regional Winner in the $300K–$500K Interior Remodel category. Their award-winning project, Transitional Modern Dream, transformed a segmented floor plan into a functional and elegant living space, featuring a reconfigured entry, expanded kitchen, walk-in pantry, and custom media room. Cabinetry by Henderer Custom Cabinetry showcases cream finishes, white oak, and gold accents — even the range hood conceals smart, functional design.
This marks the firm’s fourth Chrysalis Award in as many years, underscoring their commitment to design excellence and craftsmanship. See the project at hendererdesignbuild.com and browse all 2025 winners at chrysalisawards.com starting mid-June.
We love celebrating our members! If your business has reached a milestone, won an award, hired a new leader, expanded locations—or anything in between—let us know! We’ll feature your good news in our upcoming Chamber newsletter. email info to ehogan@albanychamber.com
Photographer Nolan Streitberger will present "Oregon's Trail of Tears", a photography exhibit that captures the approximate encampment locations noted in the journal entries of U.S. Indian Agent George H. Ambrose, who force-marched several hundred Indigenous men, women and children along one of Oregon’s several Trail of Tears. This exhibit is sponsored in part by grants from the Oregon Arts Commission and the Kinsman Foundation. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
10D Tech
Albany Historic Carousel & Museum
| M Luxury + Adventure Travel - Sarah & Scott Steen
Becky Lippmann Independent Medicare Broker/Agent
Beggs Tire & Wheel
Christmas Storybook Land
Crosby Wealth Advisors- A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial
Dave Pautsch - RE/MAX Integrity
Furniture Share
Harts Nursery of Jefferson, Inc
Hope Church
KOA Albany - Corvallis
MDI Management
Mt Angel Publishing, Inc
NewRez Home Loans Division
Oregon Employment Department
Premiere Property Group, LLC - Robert Ross
Quality Inn and Suites
Red Robin
Robersons Albany Ford
The Storage Depot
Timberview Care Center
Timberwood Court Memory Care
Willamette Association of REALTORS®
Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center
Willamette Workforce Partnership
Board Officers
Chair: Grant Cyrus (Target Distribution)
Immediate Past Chair: Brent Stutzman (Stutzman Services)
Chair-Elect: Jason Yutzie (Coastal)
Vice Chairs: Jennifer Stanaway (Samaritan Health Services), Jon Kloor (Consumers Power)
Treasurer: Selina Marshall (Citizens Bank)
Board Members
Abel Condrea (Edward Jones), Alex Patterson (Rhodes Warden Insurance), Brian Graffenberger (EA Chambers Farms, Inc.),
Brian Oare (Oare & Associates Realty), Chris Hanson (ATI), Crystal Tyndall (Willamette Valley Bank), David Van Der Haeghen (NW Natural), Joel Kinman (Bravo Group), John Andersen (Boys & Girls Club of Albany), John Pascone (LEDG), Keith Kessler (Direct Flooring Center), Roger Nyquist (Lake Shore Lanes), Ryan McAlister (Gerding Builders), Sarah
Knowles (SingerLewak), Sarah Steen (Amerititle)
Committee & Task Force Chairs
Ambassadors: Janet Steele (President)
Golf Tournament: Dick Perdue (Retired)
Emerging Leaders: Jadyn Baskin (Program and Event Manager)
Governmental Affairs: Jon Kloor (Consumers Power)
Greeters Facilitators: Greg Bolton (Landmark Professional), Peggy
Burris (Albany Public Schools Foundation), Abel Condrea (Edward Jones), Dan Farrington (BBSI), Mr. G Nassar (G & Jenny Insurance), Leslee Mayers (CASA Linn County), Don McBride (SMI Property Management)
Women In Business: Janet Steele (President)
Janet Steele - President
Chamber Staff
Jadyn Baskin - Program and Event Manager
Erica Hogan - Office Manager
Emerging Leaders
Wednesday, September 3 , 11:00am - 1:00pm rd
Lori Hill “Lead with Insight: Understanding personality and communication styles in the workplace"
Membership Forum
Wednesday, September 24 , 11:30am - 1pm th Linn County Fair & Expo $30.00/member $40.00/non-member
Albany Business Extravaganza
Wednesday, September 24 , open to the public 2pm - 6pm th Linn County Fair & Expo
August Chamber Meetings
August Greeters
albanychamber.com
@AlbanyORChamber @albanyorchamber
The Chamber Network is published monthly by the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. P O Box 548, Albany, OR 97321 541-926-1517 - info@albanychamber.com