February 2024 Newsletter

Albany Area Chamber

Network

FEBRUARY 2024 VOLUME 56, ISSUE #2

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See Page 3 for Details

Saturday, March 9th, 2024 Boys & Girls Club of Albany 1215 Hill St. SE

5:30pm Cocktails 6:30pm Dinner 7pm Award Ceremony

Presenting Sponsor Register Here!

See Nominees on Page 2

Distinguished Service Awards Banquet Saturday, March 9th, 2024 Boys & Girls Club of Albany 1215 Hill St. SE 5:30pm Cocktails | 6:30pm Dinner |7pm Award Ceremony

Honoring Legacy Award Recipient: Roger Nyquist We are pleased to announce that Commissioner Roger Nyquist will receive the Legacy Award at the March 9th Distinguished Service Awards Banquet. The Legacy Award is awarded by the Board of Directors to a person they want to honor and recognize in addition to the DSA Awards. Commissioner Nyquist has served Linn County since 2001 and is being honored for his contributions, accomplishments, and impact he has made in the Albany area.

Congratulations to Our 2024 DSA Nominees!

Distinguished Service Award

First Citizen

Jr. First Citizen

Beth Walker Lee Weber Oscar Hult Roberta White

Andrea Boucher John Jackson Kevin Fandrem Tim Fitzpatrick

Alex Patterson Drew Smythe Laura Butner

Small Business of the Year

Large Business of the Year

Albany Public Schools Foundation Country Financial - Michelle Morford Furniture Share

Student DSA

Fitzpatrick Painting and Construction Brayden McKay (South) Gerding Builders Luke Neufeldt (Santiam Christian) Mid-Willamette Family YMCA Zing Par (West) North Albany IGA/ Ace Hero

Thank You to Our 2024 DSA Sponsors!

Presenting

Gold

Silver

Bronze AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home | Mike’s Heating & Air Conditioning | Parr Lumber | Republic Services, Inc.

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Cameron is the Chief Financial Officer of Citizens Bank, a community bank headquartered in Corvallis, Oregon. He has worked in the banking industry for about 25 years. Cameron moved to Oregon in 2010 and has lived in North Albany since 2013. He has a wife and two adult children. Cameron graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and later earned his MBA from the University of Utah. He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of Oregon.

Cameron is a graduate of Leadership Albany and previously served as Treasurer on the Albany Chamber Board. He currently serves on the Chamber’ Governmental Affairs Committee. Cameron serves as Vice-Chair of the Benton Community Foundation. He also works extensively with a group of young single adults in his church.

In his free time, Cameron enjoys working out, travel, and playing video games with his kids.

Sponsored by:

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Applications must be delivered to the Chamber office or postmarked on or before Friday, March 15th One graduating senior will be selected each year from Albany Options, South Albany, West Albany, and Santiam Christian high schools (total of 4) as long as each school has an applicant with a score of 80% or higher. If no one (in the applying school) qualifies, consideration will be given to applicants in the other schools for more than one scholarship.

Each recipient will receive a $1500 scholarship to a post-secondary institution: 4-year college or university, 2-year community college, junior college, business college or trade school. The scholarship will be paid directly to the school.

The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce also reserves the right to provide a 5th “At Large” $1500 scholarship to a qualifying high school senior from one of the four high schools.

2024 Scholarship Application

Zachary James

Osvaldo Mendoza-Espindola

Madison Gray

Santiam Christian High School

South Albany High School

West Albany High School

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This morning, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled in favor of Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade, upholding the secretary’s decision to prohibit lawmakers with 10 or more unexcused absences in a session from running for re-election. The central dispute centered around the plain language of the measure vs. its expressed intent as it relates to which election year the prohibition affects. The state argued in an introductory brief that, “None of petitioners’ arguments justify a departure from clear voter intent. Voters intended Measure 113 to bar legislators who accrue ten unexcused absences from serving their immediate term.” The Republican lawmakers have repeatedly said, “We believe the plain language of Measure 113 (allowed) for members to run again in 2024 elections.”

As a result of today’s ruling, the following legislators are prohibited from running for re-election: Tim Knopp (R-Bend), Election Year: 2024 Art Robinson (R-Cave Junction), Election Year: 2024 Brian Boquist (R-Polk, Yamhill Counties), Election Year: 2024 Dennis Linthicum (R-Klamath Falls), Election Year: 2024 Bill Hansell (R-Athena), Election Year: 2024 Lynn Findley (R-Vale), Election Year: 2024 Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles), Election Year: 2026 Cedric Hayden (R-Fall Creek), Election Year: 2026 Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer), Election Year: 2026 Suzanne Weber (R-Tillamook), Election Year 2026 The aftermath of today’s decision will obviously be significant. While some of these legislators had planned to retire at the end of their terms regardless of the Court’s decision, others had not. In either case, it’s likely that we will see multiple competitive primaries emerge in the aftermath of today’s decision. It’s also likely that a number of House Republicans may seek their now open Senate seats. In the more immediate term, today’s decision could have major implications for the legislative session beginning on Monday. Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp said yesterday that if the court ruled against the Republican senators, his caucus would, “literally have no reason to show up…” for this year’s legislative session.

What to Expect from the Economy in 2024 According to Curtis Dubay, the U.S. Chamber's Chief Economist, a smaller workforce will define the economy in 2024 and it will be the key economic challenge we face for the foreseeable future. A shortage of workers will be hard on businesses, but for some consumers it also means they will always be able to find a job that can support their spending.

Learn More Here!

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Oregon State Credit Union Announces New President/Chief Executive Officer Corvallis, OR – Corvallis, Oregon – After a nationwide search, Oregon State Credit Union announces the selection of Gary Schuette II, as the credit union's incoming President/CEO. Schuette will follow Rick Hein, who has served as President/CEO of Oregon State Credit Union for the past 24 years and retires in the Spring of this year.

Schuette has more than 19 years of experience in financial services, most recently serving as the Chief Financial Performance Officer for Vystar Credit Union of Jacksonville, Florida. Schuette has held various positions at the $13.5 billion dollar credit union, focusing on the organization's financial performance and growth strategies. Prior to his time at Vystar Credit Union, Schuette held the role of Vice President of Financial Risk Management and Strategy at Local Government Federal Credit Union in Raleigh, North Carolina. Gary holds both a Bachelor of Science in Finance, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Management from Virginia Tech University.

He is a Chartered Financial Analyst. He holds the Certified Chief Executive designation from the CUES CEO Institute, as well as earning a Certified Innovation Executive designation from the CUES Strategic Innovation Institute.

When asked about the upcoming executive transition, Board Chair, Kelley Kaiser, said, "We believe the future is bright here at Oregon State Credit Union. While we will miss Rick, Gary has a long-standing track record of success throughout his career, and we believe he will continue the growth and success of our credit union for years to come."

Gary expressed his gratitude and excitement to have been selected for the role, "I look forward to working with Oregon State Credit Union's Board of Directors and employees as the credit union continues to grow and provide outstanding products and services for its membership."

We're excited to welcome Ben Danley as our new Interim Executive Director at Albany Area Habitat for Humanity. With a wealth of experience, he brings a fresh perspective to our mission. As we embark on this new chapter, we're also actively searching for a permanent Executive Director to lead us into the future. Join us in extending a warm welcome and stay tuned for updates on our search for a lasting leader!

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Albany Regional Museum 136 Lyon Street S Albany, OR 97321 (541) 967-7122

Facebook | Website

Thank You to Our Reinvesting Members Albany Antique Mall, LLC Albany Stoves, Inc. Alyrica Networks

Good Grounds Coffee

American Family Insurance- Brian Robinson Agency

6020 NE William R Carr St Adair Village, OR 97330 (541) 602-6009

Aqua Pro Pump Service

Facebook | Website

Best Heating and Cooling

The Blizzard Blueprint LLC Albany, Oregon (541) 714-5274 allison@blizzardblueprint.com

Website

Volunteer Caregivers

Benton County

Best Pots, Inc. & Site Locker/A&B Septic Service Best Western PREMIER Boulder Falls Inn Boshart Trucking, Inc. Consumers Power, Inc. Culligan Water Denine's Bookkeeping & Payroll LLC Eastgate Veterinary Clinic EC Electric

930 Queen Ave SW Albany, OR 97321 (541) 979-2426

Every Child Linn Benton (ECLB)

Website

Fisher Funeral Home, Inc.

Elwood Staffing

K&D Engineering, Inc.

WhirLocal Albany

Keith Wealth Advisors

222 Commercial St NE PMB 2303 Salem, OR 97301 (541) 801-2325

Krpalek Financial Services

Facebook | Website

Lile North American Moving & Storage Linn County Mari-Linn Farms

Thank You to Our

Ophelia's Place

Milestone Members

Pacific Cascade Federal Credit Union Phoenix Inn Suites

55 Years

Republic Services, Inc.

EC Electric

Rhodes-Warden Insurance Selectemp Employment Service

Fisher Funeral Home 20 Years

Best Heating and Cooling

15 Years American Family InsuranceBrian Robinson Agency

SnoTemp Cold Storage Sully's Stay & Play Doggie Day Care Vivacity Spirits and Calapooia Brewing WaFD

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2023-2024 Officers and Directors

February 2024

Board Officers Chair: Jennifer Stanaway (Samaritan Health Services) Immediate Past Chair: Stacie Wyss-Schoenborn (Central Willamette Credit Union) Chair-Elect: Brent Stutzman (Stutzman Services) Sr. Vice Chair: Grant Cyrus (Target Distribution) Vice Chairs: Kristal Dufour (AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home), Jon Kloor (Consumers Power Inc.) Treasurer: Selina Marshall (Citizens Bank)

Board Members Abel Condrea (Edward Jones), Alex Patterson (Rhodes Warden Insurance), Brian Dietrich (Parr Lumber), Brian Oare (Oare & Associates Realty), Joel Kinman (Bravo Group), John Andersen (Boys & Girls Club of Albany), John Pascone (LEDG), Mike Sykes (Mike’s Heating & A/C), Roger Nyquist (Lake Shore Lanes), Sarah Steen (Amerititle),

Wed. Feb. Emerging Leaders 14th 11:30am-1pm @ Comfort Suites Sponsored by Albany Carpet One “Getting Involved in Your Community” Panelists: Kristal Dufour, AAsum Dufour Funeral Home Sarah Steen, AmeriTitle Bobby Williams-Herrera, Samaritan Wed. Feb. No Dinx- Ambassador Ribbon Cutting at 11:00 AM 21st 1024 First Ave. SE Albany 97321 Wed. Feb. February Membership Forum 28th 11:30am-1pm @ Linn Co. Expo Guest Speaker: Cameron Howell, CFO of Citizens Bank

Topic: “Financial Resilience in the Face of Economic Uncertainty.”

Sponsored by Citizens Bank Sat. March Distinguished Service Awards Banquet 9th Boys & Girls Club of Albany 5:30pm Social, 6:30pm Dinner, 7:30pm Awards Ceremony Tickets $85/Person, or $680/table of 8

February Greeters

Keith Kessler (Direct Flooring Center)

Every Thursday, 8:15am Committee Chairs

Feb. 1st

Physiq Fitness 1177 Waverly Dr SE Albany 97322

Feb. 8th

WhirLocal Albany Fitzpatrick Painting & Construction 37949 Century Dr. NE Albany 97322

Ambassadors: Janet Steele (President) Golf Tournament: Dick Perdue (Retired) Emerging Leaders: Jadyn Baskin (Program and Event Manager) Governmental Affairs Chair: 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)

Feb. 15th Neora Fitzpatrick Painting & Construction 37949 Century Dr. NE Albany 97322 Feb. 22nd I-5 Sports 635 Pacific Blvd SW Albany 97321 Feb. 29th Brookdale Senior Living - Grand Prairie 1929 Grand Prairie Rd SE Albany 97322

Youth Job Fair: Jadyn Baskin (Program and Event Manager)

Chamber Staff Janet Steele - President Jadyn Baskin - Program and Event Manager Jim Snyder - Membership Development Manager - Office Manager

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

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