the salem chamber’s magazine
Autumn 2026
LEADERSHIP SALEM A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Our Community
M E S S A G E F R O M THE CEO
Why Warren Buffett’s Simple Definition of Leadership Still Matters for Small Businesses by Tom Hoffert, Chief Executive Officer
Few business leaders have shaped thinking on leadership as consistently as Warren Buffett. While he is best known for investing discipline, one of his most enduring insights has little to do with finance. Buffett has repeatedly emphasized that the true role of leadership is simple: create an environment where capable people can do great work. For small business owners, this idea is both obvious and difficult to practice. In the early stages of a company, being deeply involved is a survival skill. You make the sales, approve the expenses, solve the problems, and set the direction. That intensity often becomes part of an owner’s identity. The challenge is that what built the business can quietly limit its growth. As companies mature, leaders who stay too central slow everything down. Decisions stack up. Employees wait for approval. Opportunities are missed, not because the team lacks talent, but because authority and confidence are bottlenecked at the top. Buffett’s approach points to a different model, one where leadership shifts from doing the work to enabling the work. Enabling others starts with clarity. People perform best when they understand what matters, what good looks like, and how success will be measured. Many small businesses struggle here, not from lack of strategy but from lack of communication. When priorities change weekly or expectations are implied instead of stated, even strong performers hesitate. Clear goals and standards give teams permission to act. Trust is the next requirement, and it is where many leaders get uncomfortable. Trust means allowing others to make decisions that you would not make exactly the same way. It also means accepting shortAutumn 2026
term imperfection in exchange for long-term capability. Leaders who step in too quickly teach their teams to wait. Leaders who coach after the fact build judgment and confidence. Another overlooked aspect of Buffett’s leadership philosophy is obstacle removal. Great leaders spend less time directing and more time clearing the path. In small businesses, obstacles are rarely dramatic. They are inefficient processes, outdated tools, unclear roles, and unnecessary approvals. When leaders consistently ask what is slowing people down and then fix it, productivity increases without adding headcount. This mindset also reframes accountability. Enabling others does not mean lowering standards. It means shifting accountability closer to the work. Teams that understand the outcome they own and have the authority to act move faster and solve problems earlier. Over time, this creates a culture of ownership instead of dependence. The benefits extend beyond performance. Businesses built around capable, empowered teams are more resilient. When a leader is absent, the company still runs. When the market shifts, ideas come from multiple directions. When growth accelerates, the organization can absorb it. These are not soft advantages. They are structural strengths. THE BOTTOM LINE Warren Buffett’s definition of leadership endures because it reflects how real businesses scale. Leaders who focus on enabling others create organizations that are faster, stronger, and less fragile. For small business owners, the most valuable move is often not doing more themselves but building the conditions that allow their people to do their best work. 503. 3
TERTIARY LOGO This stacked logo is the tertiary logo option for the Salem Chamber. Utilize this option for instances where the space available is more fitting for a square orientation.
20 Above A Little Teamwork Goes a Long Way! These volunteers spent the day lending their time and hard work to help create a new gathering space for the community. We’re grateful to everyone who showed up and helped make this project possible!
the salem chamber’s magazine
Cover Building Community Together! A big thank you to these amazing volunteers for rolling up their sleeves and helping improve our community! It’s incredible to see what can happen when people come together to give back.
1110 Commercial St. NE Salem OR 97301 503.581.1466 www.salemchamber.org
401 Oak St., Silverton, OR 97381 P.O. Box 927, Mount Angel, OR 97362 503.845.9499 www.mtangelpub.com
Message from the CEO.................... 3
Spotlight: Heltzel Williams PC.
President’s Message....................... 6
............................................................... 15
Directors & Staff.............................. 8 Spotlight: Joy Campos, Better Than Mama’s, and Baraka Workforce Development........ 10
Leadership Salem........................... 17
Summer in Review.......................26
Project Manager: Steve Beckner
Spotlight: DoneRite........................13
Ambassador of the Quarter........30
To advertise in the next issue, contact Advertising Executive: Jerry Stevens 541.944.2820 • jerry.s@mtangelpub.com
@salemchamber
Awards Season in Salem............20
salem_chamber
@salemchamber
503. is published quarterly by Mt. Angel Publishing, Inc., proud Chamber member. Publisher: Paula Mabry
Welcome Newest Chamber Members Albertina Kerr BCI Management, LLC Better Business Bureau Beyond Borders Fences and Decks LLC C&E Rentals Cal’s Moving & Storage Carrie Bader Motivational Interviewing Cascade-Metro Security
Charnholm Property Management Consumer Cellular D&S Custom Conversions LLC Dynamic Tech Solutions Inc East 7th Easterseals Oregon Every Kid Gets A Bike Farrington For Oregon
Insight Pest Solutions Joy Unleashed LLC Julie Boeder, Real Estate Agent Line Drive Marco Polo Global Restaurant Marion County Justice of the Peace
Interested in joining the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce?
For more information, contact Membership ManagerJackie Roché at jroche@salemchamber.org 4
S a l e m C h a m b e r. o r g
What if you helped create bold, lasting change? What if you became a catalyst for positive change in Oregon? What if you helped provide a solution to a potent need in your community? What if you used your time, talent and treasure to help fellow Oregonians thrive? Maybe you start a scholarship. Or support a nonprofit — or join an OCF committee. We’re your statewide community foundation, and together we turn ‘What ifs’ into powerful ‘Why nots.’ What if you joined us? O R E G O N C F.O R G /W H AT I F
CHA M BER PRES IDE N T’ S ME S S AG E
Confessions of a Voter
We’ve all made decisions we’re not particularly proud of. I certainly have. I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but there was a time when I based my vote on… handsomeness. Yes, you read that correctly. I would look at a candidate and think, “They look like they can do the job. Surely, they know how to balance a budget and run the state!” Looking back, I can laugh at myself, but I also recognize how naïve I was. I wasn’t researching the candidates, understanding why they were running, or learning what they believed. I was voting without fully appreciating the responsibility that came with it. Interestingly, elections fascinated me from a young age. I remember coming home from school on Election Day, turning on the TV, and watching the results. I didn’t understand political parties or policies, but somehow, I knew something important was happening. As I grew older, and especially after becoming a mom, my perspective changed. Decisions made by elected officials suddenly felt much more personal. They affected my community, my family, and my children’s future. I started paying attention, asking questions, and doing my research.
by Angela Williams, Huggins/Bliss Sequoia Insurance
public safety, workforce development, education, and economic growth are not just political issues. They influence whether businesses can grow, whether families can thrive, and what opportunities will exist for the next generation. That is why our responsibility goes beyond simply casting a ballot. We need to understand who is asking for our vote, what they stand for, and how their decisions could affect the communities we call home. We also have a responsibility to teach those coming behind us. Talk to your children about elections. Let them see you research candidates. Explain why local government matters. Encourage them to ask questions, respectfully listen to different perspectives, and understand the importance of being involved in their community. We are raising our future business owners, educators, first responders, nonprofit leaders, elected officials, employees, and neighbors. What we teach them today will help shape the community they lead tomorrow.
Today, through my involvement in our business community, I understand even more clearly why civic engagement matters.
As November approaches, be informed. Ask questions. Get involved. And vote.
The decisions made at City Hall, the county, and the state level directly affect our businesses and our community. Taxes, transportation, housing,
Your voice matters. Your vote counts. Teach the next generation to use theirs, because they are our future—and they are what matters most. 503.
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S a l e m C h a m b e r. o r g
Formerly Keizer Community Center
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Self-Catering Permitted · Free Parking 8 X 16 Stage · A/V Equipped · WiFi
Flexible Event Space Your Keizer Event Center is located at 930 Chemawa Rd NE
Call 503.856.3451 to schedule an event consult and tour!
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Jennifer Valdez
Senior Tax Manager
Autumn 2026
Kevin Gienger
Since 1968 SingerLewak is a Top 100 CPA firm serving the Willamette Valley
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David Delmore
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SingerLewak.com 503-585-7751 7
Your Chamber EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
BOARD MEMBERS
President ANGELA WILLIAMS
Dennee Consulting
Huggins Insurance Services, Inc.
Past President TED FERRY
State Farm Insurance
President-Elect BRANDON BLAIR Summit Wealth Management
Vice President – Advocacy RICH DUNCAN Rich Duncan Construction
Vice President – Events & Programming TREVA GAMBS
Gamberetti’s Italian Restaurant
Vice President – Membership JIM SPARKMAN HomeSmart Realty Group
Treasurer RYAN DEMPSTER
Willamette Valley Bank
Secretary ALAN SOREM
Saalfeld Griggs PC
TAMMY DENNEE JEFF DUNN
Lineage
ANNEMARIE DUFAULT
Anthem Strategists
PAM FAHNDRICH
WhirLocal Salem
ALEX FERRY
State Farm Insurance
TODD GRANETO
Bark Boys, Inc.
ROGER HOY
QUANDRAY ROBERTSON
Geppetto’s Italian Restaurant
Q’s Corner Barbershop
DARYL KNOX
Aldrich CPAs + Advisors
KATYA MENDEZ
Northwestern Mutual
DR. SALAM NOOR
SCOTT FRIEDMAN
Mountain West Center for Community Excellence
JOSE GONZALEZ
Three Pines Wealth Advisors
GT Landscape Solutions
BILL RIECKE
SAIF
ZAK STONE
Zak Stone Photography
JIM VU
Core Solutions Consulting
GABBY NORTHROP
Tu Casa Real Estate
STAFF TOM HOFFERT
Chief Executive Officer
JACKIE ELLERBROCK
Operations Director
BRODY JOHNSON
Marketing & Communications Manager
JACKIE ROCHÉ
Membership Manager
CHRIS THOMPSON
KELLI GASSMAN
Workforce Development Specialist
McLaran Leadership Foundation Program Director
JAMESON GIDEON
LOGAN HEAGERTY
Director of Business Advocacy
Member Services
Ribbon Cutting at Urban Air.
RIBBON CUTTING REQUEST FORM
JUDY FISHER KIRSTIE RUDICH SARAH WILLIAMS
CTEC Business Liaisons
Administrative Assistant & Project Manager
Greeters hosted by The Rec Commons.
HOSTING A GREETERS
Let’s celebrate! Ribbon Cuttings are a complimentary service the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce provides to members at the Connector level and above that have just started a new business, have moved to a new location, or recently undergone a remodel. As the business owner, you have the option of making this event as simple or as elaborate as you wish.
Greeters is the largest and most active business networking opportunity in the Salem area. Greeters is available to all Salem Area Chamber of Commerce members (and their employees). Applications are due a week from booking your date. Requests are taken on a first-come basis. Members will be put on a wait list once the calendar year is full. Members can host Greeters once in a calendar year.
Be sure to fill out a request form at salemchamber.org/ ribboncuttingform to book your date now!
salemchamber.org/host-greeters-application
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S a l e m C h a m b e r. o r g
Tax Resolution Services Now Available! Don’t face the IRS alone. Dominguez Accounting is here to help! When you’re facing tax issues, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and uncertain. Tax Resolution is a process designed to help you address these challenges and achieve a fresh start. Our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way, with the goal of getting you back on solid financial footing and restoring your peace of mind.
Contact us today for a free consultation! Dominguez Accounting Connie Dominguez, MBA-Acc and IRS Enrolled Agent
305 S. Water Street, Silverton, OR 97381 info@dominguezaccounting.com 503-509-9817
Our local benefits advisors.
Huggins Insurance & Bliss Sequoia Insurance together deliver an award-winning team! Insurance benefits equipping your team. To learn more or get a quote, visit huggins.com or call 503-585-2211.
Autumn 2026
9
B U SINESS SPO TL IG H T
A Place at the Table How Joy Campos, Better Than Mama’s, and Baraka Workforce Development are creating pathways to work, contribution, and belonging in Salem A restaurant table can be a surprisingly good place to understand a community. At Better Than Mama’s in Salem, food has always been about more than what is on the plate. Owner Joy Campos built the business around a love of food and serving people, first cooking for family and friends, then growing through the Salem Saturday Market, and eventually pursuing her dream of owning a restaurant at Broadway Commons. As an immigrant, Campos understands the story is about more than becoming a restaurant owner. She is an immigrant herself and understands something about building a life in a place that was not always home. She also knows she did not accomplish her dream alone. “I am the product of people who believed in me, developed me, and encouraged me every step of the way,” Campos says. “In that same way, I want to do that for someone else.” That belief connects Better Than Mama’s with her work as director of Baraka Workforce Development, a ministry of Salem Alliance Church that empowers refugees to overcome employment barriers through paid job training and English education. At Baraka, Campos sees what can happen when someone is given the right combination of opportunity, training, encouragement, and accountability. At Better Than Mama’s, she gets to see those lessons become real in the workplace. Both begin with the same belief: people are more than the barriers standing in front of them.
More Than Finding a Job
Starting a new job can be intimidating for anyone. Now imagine doing it while learning a new language, adapting to a different culture, and trying to understand workplace expectations that may never have been explained to you.
needed to move toward sustainable employment and greater independence. During Baraka’s six-month internship program, workplace training and English education happen side by side. Interns develop practical job skills while learning communication, punctuality, teamwork, workplace expectations, conflict management, interviewing, resume building, and job search skills. The program also recognizes that employment barriers rarely exist by themselves. Transportation, language, childcare, technology, unfamiliar systems, and a lack of professional connections can all stand between someone who wants to work and the opportunity to do so successfully. Workforce development, in that context, is not about creating potential where none exists. It is about removing barriers that can prevent existing potential from being recognized.
A refugee may arrive in Salem with years of experience, a strong work ethic, and valuable skills while still needing help understanding an American interview, creating a resume, communicating with a supervisor, or navigating the technology used in the workplace.
That philosophy is personal for Campos. Her own journey was shaped by people who invested in her, taught her, challenged her, and gave her opportunities to grow. Baraka is one way she can extend that same investment to others.
Those barriers are not a reflection of someone’s willingness or ability to work.
Success can look like someone who once needed every instruction explained beginning to work independently. It can be a participant who was afraid to speak English having a conversation with a customer, or someone who had never interviewed for a job walking into an interview with confidence.
That distinction is at the heart of Baraka. The program is intentionally small, relational, and individualized. The goal is not simply to help someone find the first available job. Baraka walks alongside participants as they build the skills, English abilities, confidence, and understanding 10
The goal is not dependence on a program. It is development.
Eventually, the person who once needed someone beside them may become the person helping someone else. S a l e m C h a m b e r. o r g
B U S IN E S S SPOT LIGHT
When Welcome Becomes Belonging
Better Than Mama’s provides a place where much of that development becomes real. Interns learn how to communicate with coworkers, receive feedback, solve problems, serve customers, take responsibility, and grow increasingly independent in their work. But Campos believes the learning should never move in only one direction. The people coming through Baraka may be learning about Salem and the American workplace, but they are also bringing something with them. Their experiences, abilities, traditions, and cultures have value, too. Food has become one of the ways that exchange is visible. Food has always been one of the ways people carry home with them. Recipes, flavors, and ingredients can hold memories of family, celebrations, and places left behind. When those influences become part of a Salem menu, the exchange is no longer one-directional. A new employee is learning about Salem, but Salem is also learning something about its new neighbor. At Better Than Mama’s, a recipe, flavor, or food tradition shared by an employee can inspire something customers eventually experience themselves. Country-focused menus such as “From Kabul with Love” have created opportunities to celebrate Afghan food and culture while introducing customers to something they may never have encountered otherwise. There is something fitting about that happening around a table. That distinction gets to the heart of belonging. Being welcome is important, but belonging asks something more of a community. It makes room for people not only to enter, but to contribute. For someone rebuilding a life in a new country, employment can become an important part of that transition. A workplace brings income, but it can also bring relationships, confidence, language practice, routine, and connection. Coworkers become familiar faces. Customers become conversations. A city that once felt unfamiliar begins to feel more like home. Baraka’s vision is not simply to see refugees employed. It is to see them flourish through sustainable employment, contributing to their community, and experiencing hope and dignity along the way.
Expanding the Model
As Baraka’s program grew stronger, its success with refugees raised another question. Could the same intentional workforce development model help people facing a completely different set of barriers? That question eventually led to a partnership with Church at the Park and an expansion of Baraka’s program to include unhoused young adults. The circumstances are different. A refugee learning to navigate a new country does not have the same story as a Autumn 2026
young adult experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Their barriers and support needs are different as well. But the underlying belief remains the same. A difficult circumstance does not erase a person’s abilities. A barrier is not the same thing as an absence of potential. For a refugee, the barrier may be English or an unfamiliar workplace culture. For a young adult experiencing homelessness, it may be instability, transportation, limited work experience, or never having had someone consistently teach and reinforce workplace expectations. The answer is not lowering expectations. It is providing the training, relationships, accountability, and opportunity that give someone a fair chance to meet them. The partnership with Church at the Park allowed Baraka to take what it had learned through its work with new neighbors and extend those same principles to another group of people in Salem who could benefit from a different pathway into the workforce.
Opening the Door
One lesson has become increasingly clear through Baraka’s work: no workforce development program can do this alone. Baraka can provide training, English education, coaching, and support. Salem Alliance Church can provide resources, relationships, volunteers, and a community willing to invest in people. Church at the Park brings its experience walking alongside young adults experiencing homelessness. But eventually, an employer has to be willing to open a door. continued next page 11
B U SINESS SPO TL IG H T Campos does not believe businesses need to become social service organizations to make a difference. Sometimes they simply need to be willing to look beyond an accent, an unfamiliar work history, or a nontraditional path into employment and see the ability of the person standing in front of them.
Better Than Mama’s. Now she has the opportunity to hold the door open for someone coming behind her. And that may be where the story comes full circle. When an intern becomes an employee, an employee becomes a mentor, or someone who once needed support becomes the person offering it to someone else, the impact reaches much further than a job or a paycheck.
Community partners can help support the rest. Better Than Mama’s has shown Campos what can happen on the other side of that open door. Training someone who is learning English, entering the American workforce for the first time, or rebuilding stability may require additional patience and investment at the beginning. But confidence grows. Communication improves. Skills develop. Independence follows. Campos knows the value of that kind of investment because someone once made it in her. People believed in her. They helped develop her and encouraged her to pursue a dream that eventually became
It strengthens a community.
their own to share.
A table does not ask everyone sitting around it to be the same. What makes it meaningful is that people arrive from different places, carrying different stories, and bringing something of
The same can be true of a city. Creating a place at the table is the beginning. What happens when people are invited to bring something to it is where a community becomes richer. 503.
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S a l e m C h a m b e r. o r g
B U S IN E S S S P OT LIGHT
The DoneRite Way: Business Built on Relationships For Erin Hackney, entrepreneurship has taken more than one form. From keeping vehicles on the road to solving plumbing problems and even exploring the world of specialty coffee, he has been willing to build, learn, and pursue opportunities in very different industries. Through it all, one priority has remained consistent: the importance of relationships. As owner of DoneRite Automotive and DoneRite Plumbing & Drain, Erin leads two local service businesses built around needs people encounter in everyday life. The work may be different, but his approach to business is much the same. Erin believes success comes from more than completing the job in front of you. It comes from earning the kind of trust that brings people back.
Trust Under the Hood
DoneRite Automotive serves Turner, Salem, Aumsville, and surrounding communities from its Turner location. The fullservice automotive repair shop works on most makes and models and handles everything from routine maintenance and oil changes to brake repairs, engine diagnostics, larger repairs, and pre-purchase inspections. The automotive industry is one where trust carries particular weight. Most customers are relying on the knowledge of the person inspecting their vehicle to tell them what needs attention, what can wait, and what will help keep that vehicle safely on the road. DoneRite Automotive acknowledges that directly, emphasizing both knowledgeable service and the importance of being a shop customers can trust. The shop backs its work with what it calls the DoneRite Promise: if a service is not done right, the company will make it right. It is a straightforward commitment, but one that reflects the accountability Erin wants associated with
the DoneRite name. Relationships also take on another level of importance when customers are fellow business owners. A company vehicle is often more than transportation. It may carry employees, equipment, tools, or materials and be essential to serving customers each day. Sara Klindtworth, owner of fellow Chamber member Solid Roofing NW, has trusted DoneRite Automotive with her company's truck fleet for the past five years. Her experience offers a local example of the kind of long-term business relationship Erin values. “As a roofing company, we understand how important it is to have people you can trust to keep your fleet running. Ryan and his team at DoneRite Automotive have earned that trust. They’re friendly, knowledge, and take the time to make sure our vehicles are in top shape. Their quality of work, attention to detail, and customer service really stand out – and, true to their name, they make sure everything is DoneRite”. – Sara Klindtworth, Owner, Solid Roofing NW That relationship is one example of how locally owned businesses can support one another. When one business helps keep another company's vehicles moving, the impact extends well beyond the repair shop.
Bringing the DoneRite Approach Home
DoneRite Plumbing & Drain brings the DoneRite name into another essential service industry. The company serves Salem and surrounding communities with residential plumbing services that include drain cleaning, water heater repair and replacement, leak detection, sewer repair, repiping, fixture installation, and plumbing for kitchen and bathroom remodeling. Here, too, the nature of the work requires trust. Plumbing problems can be disruptive, unexpected, and sometimes urgent. Customers need someone who can identify the problem, explain the options, and carry out the work professionally. continued next page Autumn 2026
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B U SINESS SPO TL IG H T DoneRite Plumbing & Drain emphasizes honest advice, workmanship, customer care, and solutions intended to help customers protect the longevity of their plumbing systems. Feedback published on the company's website reinforces the value of that approach. One longtime customer describes trusting Erin and his work after relying on him for installations and repairs for many years. Other customers point to the team's persistence in solving difficult problems, responsiveness, and willingness to help when plumbing issues disrupted their homes.
sustainable, organic, and ethically sourced products.
Those experiences provide a useful picture of what Erin means when he talks about building relationships. It is less about saying that a business is relationship-focused and more about what happens over time. Customers return. They trust the company with another project. They recommend the people who helped them to someone else.
Erin Hackney has built businesses around solving practical problems, but the larger story behind them is about how he chooses to do business. DoneRite Automotive keeps people and businesses moving. DoneRite Plumbing & Drain helps keep homes and properties functioning. Righteous Roast represents an entrepreneur willing to venture into something new.
An Entrepreneur Willing to Explore
Erin's entrepreneurial interests have also stretched beyond the two DoneRite companies. He has dipped into an entirely different kind of business with Righteous Roast, a specialty coffee and tea company offering small-batch coffee, including single-origin, flavored, and specialty roasts, along with loose-leaf teas. The company emphasizes fair trade,
It might seem like an unexpected addition alongside automotive repair and plumbing, but it offers another glimpse at Erin as an entrepreneur. He is willing to explore an idea, learn a different business, and turn an interest into something tangible. Righteous Roast's story describes the company as growing from the search of a regular coffee lover for a better cup, eventually developing into a brand centered on specialty coffee and tea. There is something distinctly entrepreneurial about being comfortable operating in such different spaces. Automotive repair, plumbing, and specialty coffee do not share an obvious business model, but each requires understanding what people value and creating an experience that gives them a reason to return.
The Value of Local Relationships
That idea is particularly relevant within a Chamber community. Local businesses are interconnected in ways that are not always visible from the outside. They maintain one another's vehicles, repair one another's buildings, buy from one another, exchange referrals, and become customers of one another. Over time, those interactions create a local network built as much on relationships and reputation as on commerce.
Different industries, different customers, and very different kinds of work, but a common thread runs through them: take care of people, stand behind the work, and build relationships that last. For Erin, that is what it means to get it DoneRite. 503.
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B U S IN E S S S P OT LIGHT
Deep Roots, Lasting Relationships: Celebrating Heltzel Williams PC A Chamber Member Since 1971, Serving Salem Through Generations of Change
A Relationship That Spans Generations
There is something meaningful about a business that stays connected to its community not simply for years, but for generations. Heltzel Williams PC is one of those businesses. A member of the Chamber since 1971, the Salem law firm represents more than five decades of Chamber membership and an even longer history of serving people and businesses throughout the SalemKeizer area and across Oregon. Heltzel Williams PC has been practicing law for more than a century. That Autumn 2026
longevity is notable on its own, but what stands out more is the philosophy the firm has carried forward. Its attorneys describe their work in terms of listening, educating, problem-solving, and developing practical solutions around the individual needs of their clients. The firm's own phrase, “Deep Roots. Broad Branches.” is a fitting description of a practice that combines a long local history with a wide range of legal knowledge.
Legal Guidance for the Decisions That Matter Today, Heltzel Williams serves both
individuals and businesses in areas that often intersect with some of the most consequential decisions people make. Its attorneys work in business law, estate planning, litigation and dispute resolution, employment law, real estate and land use, tax law, retirement plans and employee benefits, family business matters, probate and trust administration, and related areas. The firm also works with clients across many of Oregon's major industries, including agribusiness, construction, medical and dental businesses, retail, continued next page 15
B U SINESS SPO TL IG H T
manufacturing, and real estate development. Behind that breadth of knowledge is an approach that remains distinctly personal. In estate planning, for example, Heltzel Williams emphasizes understanding a client's values, concerns, and goals rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. In its family business practice, the firm considers not only ownership and wealth transitions but also questions surrounding management and the values a family hopes to carry from one generation to another. In real estate matters, its attorneys help clients understand an increasingly complicated legal and regulatory landscape while looking for practical ways to move their goals forward.
Relationships Built Over Time
That emphasis on relationships can also be seen in the attorneys themselves. Clark B. Williams, who joined the firm in 1980 after previously working there as a law clerk, writes about client relationships that have continued for years and even decades. He also describes his role in the Salem-Keizer community as extending beyond legal work, including nonprofit and church board service, youth sports coaching, service on the Keizer Parks Board, and volunteer legal assistance for nonprofit organizations and churches. These details offer a glimpse into something that can be difficult to capture through a list of legal services alone. Longevity in business is ultimately built through people and relationships. When clients return over the years, and when professionals remain engaged in the community outside the walls of their office, a firm's history becomes intertwined with the history of the place it serves.
Showing Up for the Community
Clark Williams is not alone in connecting professional work with community involvement. Attorney Deborah R. Lush lists service with organizations including the Salem Foundation, Marion County Bar Association, Salem Leadership Foundation, Family Building Blocks, and Leadership Salem. Attorney Tricia M. Olson is also a Leadership Salem graduate and lists involvement with local and professional organizations. These individual commitments help tell a larger story about a firm whose roots in Salem are not merely a matter of having an office here. They are reflected in participation, service, and relationships throughout the community. That kind of continuity matters. Legal needs can arise at pivotal moments: when someone starts or sells a business, plans for the future of a family company, purchases property, navigates an employment issue, prepares an estate plan, resolves a dispute, or works through the administration of a loved one's estate. Heltzel Williams has built its practice around helping clients understand those complicated 16
moments and make informed decisions about what comes next.
A Chamber Connection Since 1971 For the Chamber, Heltzel Williams PC's membership since 1971 is worth recognizing because it represents something larger than a date on a membership record. It reflects a longstanding relationship between a local business and the broader business community it serves. More than five decades of Chamber membership have unfolded alongside significant changes in Salem, Oregon's business landscape, and the practice of law itself. Through those changes, Heltzel Williams PC has remained connected to the local business community. There is value in recognizing businesses that make that kind of sustained commitment. Longstanding members provide continuity within a Chamber community while carrying with them relationships and institutional knowledge built across generations.
Deep Roots That Continue to Grow More than a century of legal practice and more than half a century of Chamber membership tell a story of staying power. But Heltzel Williams PC's story is also one of people: attorneys listening closely, helping clients work through complex decisions, building relationships over time, and participating in the place they call home. Heltzel Williams PC's history is a reminder that being part of a community is not defined by one moment or accomplishment. It is built through years of showing up, doing meaningful work, forming relationships, and continuing to contribute. We are proud to recognize Heltzel Williams PC and celebrate a Chamber member whose deep roots in the Salem community continue to grow. 503. S a l e m C h a m b e r. o r g
B U S IN E S S S P OT LIGHT
Rethinking the Center: How a Local Vision Is Reshaping Salem Center What Comes After the Mall? Salem Center is Writing Its Next Chapter Local ownership is turning familiar spaces into new reasons to gather downtown For generations of Salem residents, the mall has been a familiar idea. You went there to shop. Maybe you grabbed something to eat. You met a friend, bought a birthday gift, found an outfit, took the kids to see Santa, and headed home. But the way people shop has changed. When Kelly McDonald, Patrick Carney, and Mark Shipman became the local ownership team behind Salem Center, they initially believed bringing the property out of the hands of a trustee and back under local ownership would help attract newer national brands. It was a reasonable plan. It just wasn't the plan the market had in mind. After hearing no from numerous national brands, the team realized that filling vacant storefronts with more traditional retail could not be the entire answer. They needed to pivot. That meant looking more intentionally at local leasing, restaurants, entertainment, and experiences that could give people reasons not simply to shop at Salem Center, but to come downtown and stay awhile. In other words, the question changed. Instead of asking how to recreate the mall Salem remembers, the ownership team began asking something much more interesting: What else could this place become?
movie screens to meet local demand. Investing heavily in another cinema would largely mean competing for moviegoers already being served elsewhere. Then another possibility emerged. Wandering Players Theatrics, working in partnership with other local entertainment organizations, presented an opportunity to use the space to serve a broader range of people and experiences. Wandering Players has begun the work of cleaning, remodeling, and transforming the former cinema into a home for live performance and community activity. The nonprofit theater organization, led by Executive Director Jeremy Clubb, describes its larger vision as creating a shared creative space, a place to “Wander, Commune, Imagine, and Create.” Rather than simply replacing one theater operator with another, the former Cinebarre is being reconsidered for live theater, artists, performers, educators, nonprofits, community organizations, and other forms of activity. Plans also include bringing a local Dolly Parton Imagination Library presence into the Wandering Players space, adding an unexpected literacy and family connection to a building once devoted almost entirely to movies. And audiences will not have to wait for some distant future to see signs of the transformation.
When Seven Movie Screens Become Something New
Wandering Players Theatrics is bringing back “Evil Dead The Musical” for its third season in 2026, with performances continuing through the Halloween holiday.
Initially, the ownership team's goal was to reopen the sevenscreen cinema under new local ownership. But market analysis indicated that the Salem area already had enough
Think about the range contained in just those two plans: a famously irreverent musical filling a former movie theater with live audiences, while a program associated with putting books continued next page
The former Regal Cinebarre offers perhaps the clearest answer so far.
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B U SINESS SPO TL IG H T into the hands of young children also finds a place under the same roof. That may be one of the clearest illustrations of what Salem Center's owners mean when they talk about creating experiences for multiple generations. Where moviegoers once sat facing a screen, the possibilities are becoming much broader.
Creating a Reason to Come
Every shopping center wants occupied storefronts. But filling a space and creating energy are not necessarily the same thing. The more interesting question is whether each new use gives someone another reason to visit. Sarina’s Italian Kitchen is one example of the dining side of Salem Center’s evolution. Owners Ryan Sarina and Luis Ruiz have brought a full sit-down restaurant experience to the property, with a menu that draws on recipes passed down through the Sarina family. Dishes such as Sarina’s six-layer lasagna and Grandpa Chester Sarina’s polenta connect the restaurant to that family history, while the broader menu gives visitors another reason to make Salem Center a destination rather than simply a stop for shopping. In the context of the center’s changing tenant mix, Sarina’s represents exactly the kind of experience the ownership team hopes can encourage people to come downtown and stay awhile. There is still plenty of room for the traditions people associate with a trip to the mall, too. Retail stores remain part of the picture for holiday gifts and outfits, and Kelly says Santa will be back beginning just after Thanksgiving, continuing a tradition generations of families have associated with the holiday season at Salem Center. But the newer experiences are showing up alongside those familiar ones. Vendor pop-up markets on the first Saturday of the month give local makers and small businesses another way to become part of the center, while experiences such as laser tag throughout the mall turn the property itself into part of the entertainment. It is an interesting mix of old and new:
keeping the traditions people remember while testing new reasons for them to come back. Together, those pieces begin to change the question visitors might ask. Instead of only, “What do I need to buy?” it becomes, “What’s happening at Salem Center?” Online shopping can deliver a package to a doorstep. It cannot reproduce seeing a live show, meeting friends for dinner, discovering a local maker, or taking the family somewhere to spend an afternoon. The vision is not to replace retail. It is to give retail some new neighbors.
The Downtown Connection
Those new neighbors matter beyond Salem Center's walls. This is not a shopping center sitting at the edge of town. Salem Center occupies a significant place in the heart of downtown, and Kelly, Patrick, and Mark see the property as a stakeholder in what happens around it. They believe investments in locally owned properties, including Salem Center and projects such as The Forge, can encourage others to invest downtown as well. They are also clear that property owners cannot accomplish that transformation alone. State and local government, in their view, have a role to play if Salem is going to grow into the thriving regional destination they believe it can become. There is a practical reason for that optimism. Someone who comes downtown for a performance may have dinner first. A family arriving for an activity might stop in a store. A market can introduce visitors to local makers and businesses. An evening performance can bring people downtown after traditional retail hours. One reason to visit can lead to another. Salem Center cannot revitalize downtown Salem by itself. But a property of its size and location can contribute to the momentum.
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S a l e m C h a m b e r. o r g
B U S IN E S S S P OT LIGHT
Can They Pull It Off?
businesses are becoming part of the mix. Entertainment is being treated as an attraction rather than an afterthought.
Can they really pull it off?
Whether all of those pieces ultimately come together is still an open question.
Of course, there is still a question hovering over all of this. Can a traditional shopping mall become a place where retail exists alongside restaurants, live theater, recreation, arts, local makers, and community activity? And can Salem residents who may have stopped thinking of the mall as a gathering place be given a reason to reconsider? Those are fair questions, and Kelly and Patrick aren't measuring success simply by whether every storefront gets filled. Asked what they hope to see five years from now, they describe a vibrant community of businesses that makes Salem Center a destination for entertainment, dining, and shopping in one location. Their vision includes a year-round local artisan market, carefully curated national brands relevant to today's consumers, and entertainment experiences that multiple generations can enjoy. Getting there will require investment, strong businesses, good ideas, patience, and participation from the community. But some of the experiment is already visible. A seven-screen movie theater that could have remained vacant is being prepared for actors, audiences, community organizations, families, and new ideas. Restaurants and local
And maybe that uncertainty is what makes Salem Center worth watching right now.
What Could Be Here Next?
Kelly McDonald, Patrick Carney, and Mark Shipman began with an idea familiar to anyone trying to revive a shopping center: bring in more national retailers. The market told them to think differently. So they did. Salem Center's next chapter isn't finished, and it probably shouldn't be. Spaces are still changing. New uses are being tested. Some ideas will undoubtedly evolve along the way. But the question guiding the property has become more interesting than how to recreate the mall Salem remembers. It is the question now being asked inside an old movie theater, across changing storefronts, and throughout a property finding its place in a changing downtown:
What could be here next? 503.
Your vision. Our purpose.
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Left to right, Seline Coleman, Joel Batmale, Zandi Stuart, Shari Shaw, Scott Snyder, and Ashley Howard.
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S a l e m C h a m b e r. o r g
Leadership Salem:
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Our Community by George Plaven,
Communications Director at Pac/West Lobby Group As hard as it is for me to believe, it’s been nearly a decade now since I first came to Salem. Before I was hired at Pac/West Lobby Group, I was a roving newspaper reporter covering primarily agriculture and natural resources. My professional career began in Montana, moving gradually westward to Eastern Oregon and then to the Capital Press in 2017. Working the agriculture beat allowed me to dig deep (yes, pun intended) into the hundreds of different crops grown across our region. I’ve toured dairies, hazelnut orchards, Christmas tree farms, wineries, sawmills, you name it. No doubt, farming and ranching is essential to Salem’s culture and economy. But of course, one industry does not a city make. It takes a rich tapestry of businesses, nonprofits, and government services for us to thrive and come together as a community. Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of participating in Leadership Salem, which has given me a behind-the-scenes look at how these sectors operate, who are the key players, and how we as leaders can help make them stronger. Leadership Salem is run by the McLaran Leadership Foundation, the charitable arm of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. Its mission is to drive community engagement and leadership through educational programs, networking, and team building. My cohort kicked off last September with the first of 10 Autumn 2026
monthly daylong sessions, each focused on a different theme. There was Community History Day, including stops at the Elsinore Theater and a walking tour of downtown Salem; Legal & Criminal Justice Day, where we met with the district attorneys for Marion and Polk counties and took an eye-opening tour of the Marion County Jail; Local Government Day, meeting with local county commissioners and touring the Oregon State Capitol; and yes, Natural Resources Day, my bread and butter (pun intended again), including stops at the Geren Water Treatment Facility and Freres Engineered Wood. Other themes and days included: • Business & Commerce Day: We were graciously hosted by Capitol Auto Group, SAIF Corporation, and the Marion Berries baseball team where we got to see their new indoor training facility. I learned my fastball tops out at about 35 mph. I’ll be sticking with my day job. • Education Day: I think all of us were blown away by the Salem-Keizer School District’s Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC), which offers students hands-on training in everything from welding to graphic design. Talk about a huge asset for our region. • Community Resources Day: We learned about more nonprofit groups than I can name here. It is incredible how many people in Salem have stepped up to support our most vulnerable citizens — from at-risk youth and families to providing job training continued next page 21
Leadership Salem continued Center; Mark Bulgin, founder and owner of IKE Box and Isaac’s Downtown; Alex Ferry, with State Farm Insurance; Yirla Rubí González Nolan, founder of Oregon Conferences for Women; and Conrad Venti, commercial real estate broker with First Commercial Real Estate Services LLC. It all culminated on June 18 with our Community Project Day. We gathered in the early hours at Connections 365, an organization that provides therapeutic foster care, mental health services, residential programs, and mentoring for kids. From there, we broke into teams focusing on three projects scattered around the property, including an overhaul of the outdoor garden area, rehabilitation of a roughly quarter-mile walking trail, and general landscaping. Our class also brought in professionals from Solid Roofing NW to replace the roof on the boys’ house. Emily Rich
for people with disabilities. • Leadership Day: What does it mean to be a leader? We heard from a panel of local trailblazers who shared with us their stories and inspirations, including Tony Frazier, former Executive Director of the Salem Kroc
We were responsible for all carrying out aspects of the project — everything from its conception and planning to fundraising, securing donated items, and doing the actual work. Our classmates drove heavy machinery, pulled weeds, built footbridges and raised garden beds, and planted fresh herbs. By the time 4 p.m. rolled around, we were all a little sore, sweaty, and tired. But continued page 24
Healthy People. Healthy Community. At Bridgeway Community Health, we believe every individual’s recovery helps build a safer, healthier community—one where we all live, work, and belong. For more than 17 years, Bridgeway has provided compassionate, integrated care for individuals and families across our community. Today, our continuum of services includes substance use disorder treatment, mental and behavioral health care, problem gambling treatment, primary care, medically managed withdrawal, residential treatment, outpatient services, and recovery support. This year marked an exciting step forward with the opening of our new Medical Center on Front Street, expanding our capacity for Medically Managed Withdrawal and bringing Primary Care into a modern, integrated space designed to strengthen connections across services and increase access to care. No matter where someone is in their journey, Bridgeway is here to meet them with compassion, dignity, and care without judgment—because when our neighbors experience recovery and wellness, our entire community is stronger. If you or a loved one needs support, we’re here to help: Main line: (503) 363-2021 Detox line: (503) 399-5597 Bridgewaych.org 22
S a l e m C h a m b e r. o r g
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Leadership Salem continued
we were also in awe of what can be accomplished in just one day with a little vision and determination. I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity to participate in Leadership Salem. I would describe myself as an introvert, and not someone who is usually comfortable having others look up to me. But the great thing about this program is that it taught me that leadership doesn’t always mean standing at the front of the room. More often, it means showing up, asking questions, building relationships, and finding ways to contribute. Leadership is a muscle, and like any muscle, it grows stronger when exercised. Leadership Salem challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, make new connections, and engage more deeply my community. I would encourage anyone looking to develop those skills to apply for a future cohort. See you all at graduation! Interested in learning more about Leadership Salem? For additional information about the program, please contact Kelli Gassman, Program Director for the McLaran Leadership Foundation, at Kelli@SalemChamber.org. Applications for the 2027–2029 Leadership Salem cohort will open in May 2027. We encourage you to mark your calendar and stay tuned for more information! 503.
Left to right: Ashley Howard and Zandi Stuart
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Summer in Review: Connecting, Growing & Making Memories
Celebrating Connection & Community! The Salem Chamber Businesswomen gathered for their annual Summer Social, enjoying an evening of connection, conversation, and camaraderie. The event brought together women from across the Salem business community to celebrate relationships and the power of supporting one another.
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What a summer it’s been! The Salem Chamber community filled 2026 with exciting events, meaningful connections, and plenty of opportunities to come together. Take a look back at some of the highlights from a busy summer, and get ready, because an even bigger fall and winter season is just around the corner! There’s always something happening at the Salem Chamber. Visit SalemChamber.org and check out our Events Calendar to see what’s coming up and discover new ways to connect, engage, and get involved.
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Picture to the left: Catalyst members enjoying an evening together at Redhawk Vineyard. Picture to the right: Salem Businesswomen gathered for their Summer Social, celebrating one another and recognizing the excellence and contributions they bring to the community.
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A M B ASSAD O R OF TH E Q UARTE R
Championing Small Business, Strengthening Salem: Ron Peters For more than two decades, Ron Peters has been a familiar and welcoming presence in the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce community. From his career in aviation to his ongoing service as a Chamber Ambassador, Ron has made it a priority to connect people, champion local businesses, and help strengthen the Salem business community. Born and raised overseas, Ron’s family originally came from Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Wendy, eventually made the Willamette Valley their home, where they raised their two daughters. Professionally, Ron recently retired from Salem Aviation Fueling after 22 years of managing aircraft services at the Salem Airport. Ron’s involvement with the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce began more than 22 years ago. Encouraged by his former boss, Brent DeHart, Ron was drawn to the Chamber with a desire to become more connected and engaged with the local business community. That same commitment led Ron to become a Chamber Ambassador. He wanted to help showcase the importance of supporting and strengthening small businesses throughout the community. “I really wanted to speak into and showcase the importance of upholding small businesses,” Ron shared. As an Ambassador, Ron especially enjoys the opportunity to promote local businesses, learn about the many businesses that make up our community, and introduce new business owners to Salem’s business community. He also appreciates the Chamber’s events that celebrate the accomplishments of local leaders and businesses, particularly the First Citizen Awards Banquet. “They celebrate Salem,” Ron said. Over the years, Ron has gained an even greater appreciation for the strength of Salem’s business community. He believes what makes the community special is its willingness to help one another, supported by the work of a vibrant Chamber. “Salem has an amazing business community. We need to support it, continue to promote it and celebrate it.” 30
For Ron, some of his most meaningful Chamber experiences have come through the friendships he has cultivated over the years. Those relationships have become one of the most rewarding parts of his involvement. When asked what advice he would give to a new Chamber member looking to become more involved, Ron keeps it simple: find something that interests you and jump in. “You get what you put in.” Ron also encourages members to recognize the depth of involvement the Chamber has throughout the community and the many ways it works to help businesses thrive. His own experience is a testament to the value of getting involved, building relationships, and contributing to the community. Outside of his Chamber involvement, Ron enjoys music, especially choral music, and considers being part of an amazing choir one of his greatest joys. He and his family also enjoy camping, spending time outdoors, and exploring Oregon. Now that he is retired, Ron is looking forward to discovering what volunteering and community involvement have to offer in this next chapter of life. If he had to describe the Chamber Ambassador program in three words, Ron chose: “Championing small business.” Being named Ambassador of the Quarter is an honor Ron accepts with genuine humility and appreciation for his fellow Ambassadors. “I so appreciate the honor from my peers. There are many more worthy than I. We are in this together. We are successful together. Build a strong, small business community, and you have a strong, vibrant city.” Congratulations to Ron Peters, our Ambassador of the Quarter! We are grateful for his more than two decades of commitment to the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and his continued dedication to championing the businesses and people who make our community strong. 503. S a l e m C h a m b e r. o r g
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