The BIZ POD of Oregon City Achievement Ceremony - Program

Speakers

Mayor Denyse McGriff is a longtime resident of and advocate for Oregon City She has more than 30 years of planning and local government experience, with eight of those years served as the Principal Planner for Oregon City from 1988-1996. She has since retired, but remains busier than ever. In addition to serving on the City Commission before being elected Mayor in 2002, Denyse has served on the Planning Commission, McLoughlin Neighborhood Association, Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission, and the Clackamas County Heritage Council, among many other organizations. McGriff has continually made history as she served her community She became the first person of color to serve on the Commission in 2019 She later became the first person of color to be elected Mayor when voters overwhelmingly supported her candidacy in 2022.

With over 25 years of experience in economic development, James N. Graham has worked for the federal government, several state governments, county governments, a myriad of local municipalities, regional agencies, and various private non-profit organizations. His work with several communities across the country involved crafting and implementing development strategies that are appropriate for the communities where he has worked. Mr. Graham is a certified economic developer (CEcD) recognized by the International Economic Development Council, the premiere, international association of economic development practitioners He also holds a Masters’ Degree in International Affairs with a Specialization Certificate in International Political Economy from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte NC

The Honorable Denyse McGriff Mayor of Oregon City, OR

James N Graham, CEcD Economic Development Manager Oregon City, OR

Ashley Hunt Keynote Speaker Owner of The Hive

Speakers

After 15 years in Marketing and Events, Ashley Hunt d her husband, Chef Joseph Hunt, started The e Catering Co in 2015 with a philosophy of porting local farms The Hive serves high-end dings and events with locally sourced ingredients, uding from their own farm, The Hive Microfarm. 020, they opened The Hive Social in Oregon City re they have since expanded, with Ashley's family, nclude a wedding venue, The Arc Light, and a n-to-open hidden bar called The Hardware Store w a working mom of two and operator of five hospitality businesses and a wedding podcast called The Wedding Tea, her role has included many responsibilities from marketing and event planning to accounting and business management, interior design work, and developing operational efficiencies

Spencer Crandall

BIZ POD Coordinator

Coming from a line of entrepreneurial thinkers, Spencer Crandall' s career path has always been his own, and one that often puts others first He's co-founded various organizations, co-led boards, and started and sold a highly successful retail store. Now, through his consultancy, Spencer assists small business owners in developing and implementing effective business strategies that improve their lives and business performance His aim: to make a positive impact in the world, one client at a time. He does this by guiding business ventures, fostering superior product companies, and helping to grow innovative food companies.

11:00am 11:20am 11:30am 11:45am 11:55am 12:15pm 12:30pm

Program

Networking

Opening Remarks

James Graham , CEcD

Economic Development Manager

Department of Economic Development

Oregon City, Oregon

Special Guest Remarks

The Honorable Denyse McGriff

Mayor of Oregon City, Oregon

Lunch

Catering by Capers Café and Catering Company

Keynote Speaker

Ashley Hunt

Owner of The Hive

Presentation of Achievement Awards

Closing Remarks

Spencer Crandall , ecomspence.com

BIZ POD Coordinator

Achievers

Crystal Pyatt, a visionary chef and owner, seamlessly blends her business and marketing background with her innate artistic flair to create extraordinary culinary experiences. Crystal has built a small empire that encompasses Sweet Masterpieces, known for its artisanal bakery and delectable chocolates, as well as the upcoming Gathered Goods specialty market. Both businesses are dedicated to transforming the way people experience food, offering artisan-crafted bakery delights, delectable chocolates, and a specialty market brimming with high-quality, local ingredients and artisan made foods. You can find Sweet Masterpiece on the web at sweetmasterpieces.com

Jacob Kuhn is the founder of the tWine: Traveling Wine Cart. tWine is an emerging mobile wine experience that will service events, weddings, and private tastings. Kuhn's penchant for business developed during his time in the military, during which he earned his Masters of Business Administration. Kuhn was inspired to develop this business from his personal appreciation of wine tasting, his past work at a Napa Valley winery, and his years of experience in the production industry. tWine's first event will be at Oregon City's First City Celebration. You can follow the journey of the tWine Cart online at twinecart.com.

Jessica Macklin is a licensed professional counselor based in Oregon City and executive director of Northwest Treatment. Her endeavors follow the tradition of her parents, who were also mental health professionals. In 2018, she convinced a friend and social worker to join her in acquiring NW Treatment from her father. NW Treatment was founded by Jessica's father in 1982, as the first privately owned DUII program in the state of Oregon. Jessica continues to build and expand NW Treatment, offering a range of outpatient services to support clients during difficult times in their lives These services include DUII treatment, mental health therapy, addiction programs, and LGBTQIA2S+ specific services. Northwest Treatment can be found online at nwtreatment.com

Achievers

Joanna Strahm is the founder of Small Baking Company, a bakery dedicated to creating delicious desserts using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. After training in baking and pastry at Tante Marie's, Tartine Bakery and Battery Bakery, Strahm explored incorporating more elevated flavors into her baking. Small Baking Company thus began in a shared kitchen in Portland, Oregon in 2016 before moving to Oregon City in 2023. Small Baking Company's menu is inspired by the flair of the Pacific Northwest and uses ingredients from a variety of local harvesters and organic grain millers The Small Baking Company can be found online at smallbaking.co.

Joe Henney is a loving father and husband and the founder of the industrial and product design venture Henney Design. Henney first realized his interest in industrial design over the course of a decade that included six years of U.S. Navy service. Henney studied at University of Washington and learned more of the essentials of design in Portland, Oregon. His company has collaborated with individuals, startups, and established brands of all sizes to turn their vision into reality. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters on their farm in Oregon City, and camping in the beautiful landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. You can view his work online at his website henneydesign.com.

Kenny Baker is the founder of the confection company Sh'mallow. Sh'mallow was conceived over a hot chocolate on the 4th of July in Portland. The drink had whipped cream, but was missing marshmallows a development that would inspire Baker to combine the two treats into one nifty invention. Sh'mallow is the first toastable marshmallow in a convienient whipped cream canister, and is now sold in retail stores. You can learn more at the website: www.sh-mallow.com.

The Biz Pod OF

OREGON CITY

The BIZ POD of Oregon City would like to thank the following exceptional business advisors for their contribution to the program:

Jen McFarland

Women Conquer Business

Topic: Business Technology and Data

Jon Evertz

Evertz Consulting

Topic: Business Leadership

Kim Allchurch Flick

Mighty Epiphyte Consulting

Topic: Marketing & Branding

Leslie Hildula

Business Advisor

Topic: Business Plan

Michael Grivas

Mike Grivas Consulting

Topic: Business Strategy & Differentiation

Michael Reed

M.R. Best Bookkeeping

Topic: Finances

Ryan Abbott

Business Advisor

Topic: Business Operations & Hiring

Event Photography by Jarrod Lymon