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Governor Appoints Three New Members to Oregon Broadband Advisory Council

May 2, 2013

Salem, OR—Governor John Kitzhaber has appointed three new members to the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council. The members of the council are community leaders representing Oregon's cities, counties, telecommunications service providers, Native Tribes, educators, economic development organizations, public safety agencies, healthcare providers, e-government, the Public Utility Commission and the Oregon State Legislature.

The mission of the council is to encourage coordination and collaboration between organizations and economic sectors to leverage the development and utilization of broadband for education, workforce development and telehealth, and to promote broadband utilization by citizens and communities.

The new appointees to the council are:

Christopher Denzin, Portland, Vice President and General Manager at CenturyLink, representing telecommunications and Internet service providers;
Wade Holmes, Bend, Vice President of Technology at BendBroadband, representing telecommunications and Internet service providers; and
Julie Pearson-Ruthven, Salem, Chief Information Officer at State of Oregon, representing eGovernment.

"The appointment of Mr. Denzin, Mr. Holmes and Ms. Pearson-Ruthven is great news for the citizens of Oregon," said Joe Franell, General Manager and CEO of Eastern Oregon Telecom, and the Chair of the council. "The presence of such qualified people on the Broadband Advisory Council will greatly assist us in making sure that Oregon remains a leader in the deployment and use of broadband."

CDFA & Business Oregon Launch Oregon Financing Roundtable

May 1, 2013

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Islabikes, the children's bicycle specialists, launches in North America with new U.S. headquarters in Southeast Portland

March 28, 2013

PORTLAND—Islabikes, widely respected in the United Kingdom for leading the way in children's bicycle design, will be launching its U.S. presence with headquarters here in Portland on April 15.

Islabikes leads the world in the design and manufacture of exceptional bicycles for children. This British company has singlehandedly redefined the notion of a child's bicycle with a product unparalleled in its depth of design detail. An Islabike gives a child a real head start from learning balance to full-on racing performance.

Islabikes was founded by renowned British bicycle designer Isla Rowntree, one of the few female designers in the industry. Isla's reputation is built on a thorough understanding of ergonomics. With a meticulous attention to detail, Isla is reshaping how children experience cycling. Parents across the United Kingdom have embraced this concept and word has spread quickly as families endorse the 'Islabike' effect. As a result, Islabikes has established an enviable brand loyalty and is held in high regard within the bicycle industry.

"I'm really excited that more children will have the thrill of riding our super lightweight well-fitting bicycles," said Rowntree. "In looking to site premises in the U.S., Portland stood out as the natural home for our company. With the familiar climate and a sense of shared values, it's a welcoming, visionary community with a passion for cycling as a sustainable way of life."

Officials from the state of Oregon and the city of Portland, which offered the company technical assistance and a small grant for improvements to the company's new Produce Row storefront on Southeast Seventh Avenue, welcomed Isla to North America's most bike-friendly community.

"Oregon is a great fit for Islabikes as part of our highly successful outdoor gear industry which numbers in the hundreds already," said Business Oregon Director Tim McCabe. "I am confident that Portland families as well as the community's eager and trained workforce will embrace this new company."

The Portland Development Commission worked with Islabikes and the property owner of the building, Mike Tevis, on improving the space and façade by providing a storefront grant of $20,000. PDC officials also assisted in site selection of the property at 2113 SE 7th Ave.

"Portland makes perfect sense for Islabike's U.S. launch, thanks to the city's outstanding reputation for intelligent design and quality products," said Patrick Quinton, executive director of the Portland Development Commission. "In partnership with Business Oregon, we're delighted to welcome Islabikes to our growing community of athletic and outdoor companies."

For more info, please visit islabikes.com or call 503-954-2410.

From the Office of the Governor

Governor's Marketplace to be held Wednesday, April 17, in Salem

March 28, 2013

Please visit the Governor's Web site to read the release.

From the Office of the Governor

Oregon identified as a leader in the U.S. manufacturing resurgence

March 14, 2013

Please visit the Governor's Web site to read the release.

Business Oregon Announces Hiring of Colin Sears as Business Recruitment Officer

March 11, 2013

Salem, Oregon—Today Business Oregon announced the hiring of Colin Sears as a business recruitment officer, a key member of the business development team that works to bring growing companies into Oregon. The position was vacated by retiring employee Bruce Laird earlier this year.

Sears previously served as the vice president of business development at Greater Portland Inc (GPI), a regional public/private economic development partnership helping companies expand and locate to the Portland-Vancouver area. Prior to his role at GPI, Sears worked in economic development at the Portland Development Commission for 12 years.

"In his previous roles, Colin has been a long-standing collaborator and partner with Business Oregon, and comes to us ready to put his skills to work for the state," said Tim McCabe, director of Business Oregon. "Colin knows the state's assets, the business recruitment process, and has the professional networks to be successful. His experience at both Greater Portland Inc and PDC will grow our already strong partnerships with those organizations."

"Colin has been instrumental in building the regional infrastructure to attract new jobs to our community and we thank him for his contribution to our region," said Sean Robbins, president and CEO of GPI. "We look forward to continuing to deepen our partnership with the state and the Governor's office."

Business Oregon employs two business recruitment officers. Sears joins Jill Miles to recruit companies into the state. Miles is a 17-year veteran business development and recruitment officer. These positions work with partner organizations to actively market the state as well as respond to inquiries from businesses looking to expand. Sears will begin with Business Oregon April 8.

From the Office of the Governor

Governor Kitzhaber promotes Oregon as a premier travel destination at the world's largest tourism trade show

March 6, 2013

Please visit the Governor's Web site to read the release.

From the Office of the Governor

Governor Kitzhaber celebrates five years of Delta/KLM/Air France nonstop service between Amsterdam and Portland

March 4, 2013

Please visit the Governor's Web site to read the release.

Business Oregon Announces that Salesforce.com is Leasing New Oregon-Based Office

February 25, 2013

Hillsboro, Oregon—Business Oregon announced today that salesforce.com, the enterprise cloud computing leader, has chosen Hillsboro, OR, for a new office location.

Salesforce.com chose the location to recruit from the incredible talent pool in the Pacific Northwest for a variety of positions including finance, IT support, legal support, customer service and human resources.

Sustainability is very important to the company, and salesforce.com's new office will be LEED Gold certified and have no disposables with all cups and dishes reusable and washable. Eco-friendly commuting is also highly encouraged and salesforce.com will have an on-site bike shop for do-it-yourself repairs and bike share options.

Founded in 1999, salesforce.com has approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. The company was named by Forbes Magazine as the World's Most Innovative Company in both 2011 and 2012, and has been named to FORTUNE Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for five consecutive years.

To help facilitate the process, salesforce.com participated in Business Oregon's new Business Expansion Program. For more information visit our program Web page.

Business Oregon worked with local and regional partners including Greater Portland Inc., the city of Hillsboro and others to recruit the company to the state. The new office will be located at 2035 NW Cornelius Pass Road in Hillsboro, Oregon.

For more information on career opportunities with the company, please visit their Web site.

From the Office of the Governor

Governor Kitzhaber to lead business development mission to the Netherlands and Germany

February 22, 2013

Please visit the Governor's Web site to read the release.

From the Office of the Governor

Governor Kitzhaber praises Oracle's commitment to job retention and job creation at its Hillsboro facility

February 19, 2013

Please visit the Governor's Web site to read the release.

From the Office of the Governor

Governor Kitzhaber praises ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston's Boardman expansion plans

February 13, 2013

Please visit the Governor's Web site to read the release.

Governor Reappoints Four Members of Oregon Broadband Advisory Council

February 12, 2013

Salem, OR—Governor John Kitzhaber has reappointed four members to the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council. Council members are community leaders representing Oregon's cities, counties, telecommunications service providers, Native Tribes, educators, economic development organizations, public safety agencies, healthcare providers, e-government, the Public Utility Commission and the Oregon State Legislature.

The mission of the council is to encourage coordination and collaboration between organizations and economic sectors to leverage the development and utilization of broadband for education, workforce development and telehealth, and to promote broadband utilization by citizens and communities.

Reappointments to the council to serve a second term are:

Joseph Franell, Hermiston, General Manager and CEO of Eastern Oregon Telecom representing rural telecommunications consortia
Mary Beth Henry, Portland, Manager Office for Community Technology, City of Portland and the Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission representing cities
Dr. Miles Ellenby, Portland, Associate Professor, Pediatrics & Anesthesiology Division of Critical Care Medicine and Medical Director, Telemedicine Program Doernbecher Children's Hospital and Oregon Health & Science University representing health; and
Dave Sabala, Roseburg, General Manager of Douglas Electric Cooperative representing economic development

In addition, Senator Ted Ferrioli, John Day, has been appointed by the Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney to serve another term on the council.

From the Office of the Governor

Governor Praises DuPont Pioneer's Expansion and New Jobs in Eastern Oregon

January 30, 2013

Please visit the Governor's Web site to read the release.