DECEMBER 2014/

JANUARY 2015

FOR BUSINESS
VOLUME 13, ISSUE 5
USA $3.95
CANADA $6.95

Leaning
together
Eugene-area business find success
through collaboration and cost cutting
The Eugene Area Chamber Of Commerce: CelebratingPromotingInforming Business

Publisher & EDItOR

THIS ISSUE

David Hauser, CCE

Eugene Chamber
Executive Committee
Sheryl Balthrop,
Chair
Gaydos, Churnside &
Balthrop PC

D E C EMBER 2 0 1 4 / J A NU A R Y 2 0 1 5

DECEMBER 2014/
JANUARY 2015

Cover story

During the recession, it was easier to

cut expenses than add revenue. But as
the economy continues to improve, lean
principles, which focus on creating more value
with fewer resources, continue to thrive. We look
at why.
Pictured: Oregon Community Credit Unions
Toni Gyatso, Willamette Valley Companys Bob
Halligan, and PacificSource Health Plans Matt
Hockley.

FOR BUSINESS
USA $3.95
CANADA $6.95

Make your employees

all Smiles ;-)
As a true community health planstarted by
local doctorsTrillium offers extremely popular
low-cost dental plans that cover everything,
including cleanings. Dial in the dollars and take
a big bite out of expenses. Were 20-plus years
old and100,000 members strong. That adds up
to a healthy grin.

Nigel Francisco
Vice Chair
Ninkasi Brewing Company
Cathy Worthington,
Treasurer
Worthington Business
Services
Marvin ReVoal
Past Chair
PBP Insurance

Lean
ahead

Features

2/25/13 5:06 PM

Tom Herrmann
Vice Chair
Gleaves Swearingen LLP

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 5

Photography by David Loveall, art direction by Asbury Design

PAC-077_COMMUNITY_EugeneChamber-OpenforBusMag_7.375x4.8126_April-May2013.indd 1

Craig Wanichek
Chair-elect
Summit Bank

Advertising
Eugene Area
Chamber of Commerce
541.484.1314

The recession is over,

so why are these businesses
still cutting costs?

10
18

A look at the many economic

development organizations with whom
the Chamber partners to advance a
healthy local economy.

Design/Layout

The eugene AreA ChAmber Of COmmerCe: CelebrATingPrOmOTinginfOrming business

Columns/Departments

5
6
22
26

Chamber @ Work.
What the Chamber is doing to support and
promote businesses in the Eugene area.

Caf Yumm!, Essex General

Construction and Thermo Fisher
Scientific have been named
finalists for the 2015 Bold Steps Award. The
award recognizes Eugene-based sustainable
businesses.

Four Questions.
Three professionals answer four questions
that give insight into their lives and work

Business News.
Promotions, new hires, and new
members

Peterson Pacific,
Corp. President
Larry Cumming
shares his best
customer story.
Page 7.

Last Call.
Dave Hauser on Chamber
partnerships

Asbury Design
541.344.1633
www.asburydesign.net

Printing
Shelton Turnbull
541.687.1214

Eugene Area
Chamber of
Commerce
1401 Willamette St.
Eugene, OR 97401
541.484.1314
www.Facebook.com /
EugeneChamber
Open for Business:
A publication of the
Eugene Area Chamber
of Commerce
(USPS-978-480).
Open for Business is
published bimonthly
by the Eugene Area
Chamber of Commerce
in February, April, June,
August, October and
December. Circulation:
3,800.
Open For Business
2014

ADVERTISER INDEX
hink well. Be well.

541-431-1950 800-910-3906
trilliumchp.com

15
23
27
24
11

Asbury Design
Chambers Productions
Eugene Airport
Evergreen Roofing
Harrang Long Gary Rudnick PC

5
Hershner Hunter LLP
24 Kernutt Stokes
17 Lane Transit District
25 McKenzie-Willamette Medical
Center

8
2
9
14

Moss Adams
Pacific Continental Bank
The Register-Guard
Summit Bank

2, 21 Trillium Community

Health Care
24 University of Oregon

The subscription price

is $25, included in
membership. Periodicals
Postage Paid at Eugene,
OR.
POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to
Eugene Area Chamber
of Commerce, P.O. Box
1107, Eugene, OR 974401107

CHAMBER@WORK
Training future leaders
for 29 years running

The Business-to-Business EXPO had nearly 1,400 attendees.

Chamber EXPO connects

hundreds of businesses
After months of planning and preparation, more than 150 exhibitors
finally saw all of their handiwork pay off at the 2014 Eugene Businessto-Business Expo. Nearly 1400 attendees visited exhibitors booths to
learn more about local businesses.The Expo showcased many longtime, returning exhibitors as well as dozens of new exhibitors and new
companies. The event is one of forty business-to-business connecting
events that are produced by the Chamber during the course of the
year. The 2014 Business-to-Business Expo was sponsored by Saif
Corporation.

This October marked the kick-off of

the 29th Leadership Eugene-Springfield
(LES) class sponsored by the Eugene
and Springfield chambers of commerce.
Twenty-six applicants from a wide
variety of public, private, and non-profit
organizations were selected to participate
in this years prestigious program.
More than fifty applications
were received and members of the
LES steering committee and past
participants of the program selected
this years cohort. The LES program was
created in 1986 with visions of creating
knowledgeable, networked, skilled and
passionate leaders to advocate and
represent our community.
This years class will hear from
speakers in local government, economic
development, land use and planning,
public safety, health and human services,
education, and the arts. In November
our class was hosted by the Eugene
Police Department. Participants enjoyed
a tour of the facility and heard from the
mayors and city managers of Eugene
and Springfield, the Lane County
Administrator, two state representatives,
and a past city council member on the
issues relevant to our local government.

Eugene Chamber supports local entrepreneurs

The Chamber encourages
collaboration that drives productivity
among startups. Thats why
the Chamber works to connect
early-stage entrepreneurs to the
networking and educational resources
they need to launch high-growth
businesses. Over the past two months
the Chamber has hosted a SmartUps
Workshop Class Series focused on
the entrepreneurial fundamentals,
hosted two SmartUps Forums
and sponsored the 2014 StartUp
Weekend.

SHELL HELP YOU

KEEP YOUR
INTELLECTUAL

PROPERTY
SAFE AND SECURE

Carrie Hellwig Christopher

ATTORNEY

In todays business environment, some of your most valuable property may not have a physical address or sit in a
warehouse. Whether its an idea, a trademark, a strategic partnership, or a licensing agreement, it has material value, and
should be protected.
With intellectual property (IP) skills honed at one of Silicon Valleys top law firms, theres probably not a software or
patent license or a manufacturing agreement Carrie Hellwig Christopher cant master. And as a general business and
transactions attorney who has worked in-house for technology companies, she melds the high-level thinking of IP law with the
day-to-day practicalities of business, enabling clients to effectively manage risk and accomplish their business objectives.
Whether your business is global or homegrown, on-line or in development, its reassuring to know you dont have to go to
Portland to unlock expert IP advice and protection.
Focus on your business and leave the legal issues to us.

180 East 11th Avenue

The Chamber hosted SmartUps Forums and sponsored StartUp Weekend.

4 OP EN FO R BUSI N ESS | EUGEN E AREA CH AMB ER O F COM M ERC E

Eugene, Oregon |

97401

541-686-8511

hershnerhunter.com

Four questions

Larry Cumming

We asked three professionals to respond to four questions

that give insight into their lives and their work.

Peterson
Pacific
manufactures
industry-safe horizontal grinders, wood
chippers, blowers, screens and conveyors
sold in 26 countries around the globe.
Peterson operates with 270 employees in
110,000 square feet of factory space by
the Eugene Airport. Their grinders and
chippers (they have 23 patents) take anywhere from 8-12 weeks to build and their
wood chippers can last as long as 50,000
hours. Peterson recently celebrated the
manufacturing and sale of their 2,000th
machine a celebration the Eugene
Chamber was proud to participate in.

President, Peterson Pacific, Corp.

Tom Foster
Owner, Strapworks
Strapworks is best known for the
production of pet leashes and harnesses.
Originally started as a web business out
of Toms home, they currently occupy
30,000 square feet of industrial space on
1st and are hoping to soon double in size.
Strapworks is practicing LEAN principles, which were suggested voluntarily
by their own employees.

Tell us something about your

company not everyone knows.

A lot of the products we make work

in renewable energies. Peterson chippers
make wood pellets used for renewable and
fossil fuels. Our grinders move material
out of landfills and put the organic material back into the soil. Our products are
focused on renewable energies that help
climate change and the climate in general.

Tell us something about your

business not everyone knows.

Strapworks owns the licensing to the

images of the Three Stooges and Grizzly
Adams. Our straps are in every Cirque du
Soleil production. We make guitar straps
designed for musical personalities. Right
now, we are hoping to obtain licensing
rights for straps made for Dolly Parton
and her fans. We respond to the microdemands of our customers, meaning we
will make a strap of any design, and will
make a single strap for a customer. We
drive the market by being the manufacturer with no purchase minimums.
Although our largest is the pet industry,
we manufacture straps for every imaginable purpose, including lanyards for colleges, pitcher pads and matching coasters,
mouse pads, and key loops. By January
2015, all of our products will be sourced
and made strictly in America, something
which offers the employees and vendors
great pride and satisfaction.
What is your best customer story?

National Geographic hired us to

design and manufacture a strap to be harnessed to a manatee which then attached
above to a video camera pod in order to

What is your best customer story?

A big logging contractor in Australia,

Tom Fosters company, Strapworks, has a client list that includes NASA.

videotape the manatees movements.

NASA is a client. We like to say we
have straps on every continent and in
outer space.
What would you tell a new business
owner in Eugene why joining the
Chamber of Commerce is important?

The help and benefits from the

Chamber taking a direct stand on certain
issues has directly impacted our business
positively. The Chamber was instrumental
in negotiating with the city to make our
building plans functional and finalized
without added costs. We have had tours
from Oregon State Senator Ron Wyden
and Representative DeFazio because of

6 OP EN FO R BUSI N ESS | EUGEN E AREA CH AMB ER O F COM M ERC E

them to ensure its perfection, and then

ship the machine to Australia in February.

the Chamber offering business exposure.

Chamber membership has increased our
viability, credibility, and our visibility,
giving us a better local presence. There
are no advantages to satellite distribution,
so establishing a local presence helps the
business deliver the product quickly.
What is the best part about your job?

I like the creative end-developing new

products, or taking every day products
and being able to reinvent them. It is
great to have a tie down strap for your
motorcycle, but it is infinitely cooler to
have your motorcycle club logo on the tie
down strap.

What would you tell a new business

owner about why joining the Eugene
Chamber is important?

Larry Cumming of Peterson Pacific

says a lot of products they make are
focused on renewable energies.

who was not yet a customer, was awarded

a large contract to harvest eucalyptus.
Not really thinking they would end up
a customer, we nevertheless brought this
family company here to Eugene to tour
the factory and speak to our engineers.
They ended up giving us an order for a
new machine, which we are currently
designing. They gave us their trust to
design a new machine which is critical
to their future. We listened to what they
wanted, put a full engineering crew on it,
will video conference every morning with

We are probably not a typical

Chamber member. We dont network in
the same way that other businesses in
Eugene might; we have our two local
customers in Rexius and Lane Forest
Products, but the Chamber is important
to us for other reasons. Peterson is part
of a public company (Astec) but is run
locally. For us, the Chamber is the voice
of business. This presence keeps Eugene
a competitive place for manufacturing. If
something comes up locally that may not
be friendly to business, the Chamber is
our voice for these issues.
What is the best part of your job?

When the customer visits. Our customers are typically entrepreneurs, and
are heavily engaged in their own products. When customers come and visit,
we get to know them. They are here all
day. We take them on tours of our factory,
and our factory shows very well. We learn
from our customers, and they help us see
the future. Customer visits can be very
rewarding, educational, and interesting.

Mike Litten
& Sam Dobrowski
Western Shelter Systems
Western Shelter & Crew Boss are operated within
the same industrial building. Mike and Sam are part
of the leadership team. LEAN principles are part of
their business culture through daily management,
value stream mapping, KANBAN systems, and work
instruction of 130 employees. Crew Boss manufactures protective clothing for land and wild fire fighters,
and Western Shelter manufactures search and rescue
systems, and responds to hospital isolation needs for
infectious disease and chemical contamination.
Continued on page 8

Mike Litten and Sam Dobrowski have used LEAN principles,

including value-stream mapping, to help their business.

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 /J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 5

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Continued from page 7

Tell us something about your business
not everyone knows.

Western Shelter Systems are two businesses operated as allied businesses under
the same roof. We have separate business
strategies with some overlap, but sell to
different markets through different sales
channels and different corporate anchors.
Western Shelter manufactured the
isolation shelter used in the recent New
Jersey Ebola crisis, and manufactured full
isolation systems used in the 1988 swine flu
infections. Crew Boss develops and custom
tailors their equipment for the differing
land and wildfire team needs based on what
their customers describe as their challenges.

They strapped 80 pounds of Crew Boss gear

on and had to jump from aircraft into the
fire. The gear kept them from getting hung
up on the trees, and was so effective we
turned it into another product line.

We developed the gear

and packs for a smoke
jumper crew up in
Washington, better than
anything made in the
market. They strapped 80
pounds of Crew Boss gear
on and had to jump from
aircraft into the fire.

What would you tell a new business

owner in Eugene about why joining
the Eugene Chamber of Commerce is
important?

For our businesses, being a part of the

Chamber Manufacturers Round-table
helped to create a strong local presence. The
Chamber has offered plenty of support, and
has helped us work with the city on permitting issues. A new business owner should
know that the Chamber helps to sustain
and build your business.

Sam Dobrowski
Western Shelter Systems

What is your best customer story?

Mike: After Hurricane Katrina, the

response teams brought back video showing
our full shelter systems in use, this was a tear
jerker deal. We also created an entire mobile
camp to protect the sifting environment
for a team of historians and archaeologists.

Within their sort, they found a wedding

ring with an inscription on it and were able
to return it to the very aging widow.
Sam: We developed the gear and packs
for a smoke jumper crew up in Washington,
better than anything made in the market.

Introducing RG Media Lab

Well help your business succeed online.
For decades The Register-Guard has provided businesses
with Lane Countys most trusted and respected advertising
medium. Now weve created RG Media Lab to help local
businesses who need to build modern, mobile-friendly
websites and improve their digital marketing. Well also
help you create compelling content that converts your
website visitors into customers.

RG Media Lab Services:

Responsive Website Design
Social Media Management
Email Marketing
Video Production
Secure Hosting Services

What is the best part of your job?

Mike: I think it is knowing that we at

Western Shelter are building a product that
aids and assists in saving lives.
Sam: Similarly, Crew Boss creates products
that keeps our heroes safe. We directly help
keep them from being hurt out there.
Eugene Area
Chamber of
Commerce

Meet our team

!

Is your business
meeting its financial
and operational goals?
We are thrilled with our new
website design! It was such a pleasure
to work with the RG Media Lab team.
They listened to what we wanted and
turned our hopes into reality with a
beautiful, mobile-friendly website that
truly represents our company.

When efficiency seems elusive, rely on experience.

For over 100 years, weve helped Eugene-area companies

strengthen their financial operations. Put our knowledge
to work for yours.
(541) 686-1040

W W W. M O S S A D A M S . C O M

8 OP EN FO R BUSI N ESS | EUGEN E AREA CH AMB ER O F COM M ERC E

Certified Public Accountants | Business Consultants

Acumen. Agility. Answers.

From left to right:

Tyler Mack Director, Deborah Ramirez Sales Manager, Jason Miller Client Services Coordinator,
Melissa Rokaitis Digital Marketing Consultant, Tyler Robinson Web Developer

Caleb & Katie Johnson

For a complimentary website analysis for your business, visit rgmedialab.com or call Tyler Mack at 541-338-2291.

YOUR CHAMBER WORKING FOR YOU

Partnerships for prosperity

The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce partners with a host of economic development
organizations to advance a healthy local economy through job creation, business retention,
and generating new wealth for our community

Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene: The Chamber is

a founding partner of ABAE, an organization dedicated to
enriching the cultural life of the community by acting as a
catalyst for creating dynamic partnerships between the arts,
culture and business sectors. www.artsbusinessalliance.org

NEDCO (Neighborhood Economic Development Corp.):

NEDCO and the Eugene Chamber work together to help
start-up and existing businesses gain access to NEDCOs
micro-enterprise loans, educational opportunities, one-onone business assistance, and Sprout! Food Hub incubator.

Our Deep
Oregon Roots

http://nedcocdc.org/

Business Oregon: The Chamber works closely with

Business Oregon, the states economic development
agency, to help companies connect with state financing
programs and other state resources to help businesses grow
and thrive in the region. www.oregon4biz.com
City of Eugene: The Chamber works with the city on a
number of economic development policy issues and public
tools available to assist private enterprise. The Chamber
helps businesses access the Citys resources and navigate
City processes. www.eugene-or.gov
Downtown Eugene Inc.: The Chamber manages Downtown
Eugene, Inc. (DEI), a nonprofit association of property and
business owners whose primary interest is the long-term
economic health and vibrancy of downtown Eugene.

Help Businesses Prosper

RAIN Eugene: The Regional Accelerator & Innovation

Network is an Oregon consortium of government, higher
education, and the business community. The Chamber is a
managing partner in RAIN Eugene, which connects the local
innovation ecosystem with the entrepreneurial community
to create high-impact, innovative, traded-sector companies
that can grow and thrive in our community.
raineugene.org

We have been helping

Oregon businesses
meet todays challenges
and tomorrows
opportunities
for over 50 years.

SCORE: The Chamber provides free office space and

staff support to the Willamette SCORE Chapter. SCORE
offers free, unlimited, private and confidential face-to-face
counseling for small business owners and entrepreneurs
provided by seasoned volunteers with business
backgrounds. https://willamette.score.org

www.downtowneugene.com

Lane Community College Small Business Development

Center & Customized Employee Training: The Chamber
partners with the Business Development Center to provide
mentoring and training for business owners and employees.
www.lanesbdc.com/home/lbd/cpage_7/home.html

Lane County: The Chamber works with the Lane County

Community and Economic Development Division to help
companies in urban and rural areas stay and grow by
providing access to financial and other County resources.
www.lanecounty.org/Departments/CAO/EconDev/Pages/default.
aspx

Lane Workforce Partnership: Lane Workforce Partnership

(LWP) is the local Workforce Investment Board for Lane
County. The Chamber partners with LWP to connect
businesses with available workforce training/ funding
programs, to help find qualified employees to fill key roles
within businesses, and to continuously identify opportunities
to bolster the local workforce.
www.laneworkforce.org

1 0 OP E N FO R BUSI N ESS | EUGEN E AREA CH AMB ER O F COM M ERC E

Southern Willamette Economic Development Corp:

The Chamber is a partner in the creation of SWEDCO a new
regional economic development organization committed
to bringing people and resources together to market the
region in order to attract traded-sector investment and jobs
while supporting local business retention and expansion and
enhancing the regions business environment
Travel Lane County: Travel Lane County is the destination
marketing organization for Lane County. It is a private,
nonprofit association funded by member support
and a visitor-room tax generated at lodging facilities and
campgrounds with a mission to increase overnight stays
within the county. The Chamber partners with TLC on a host
of travel-related economic development initiatives.

harrang.com
800.315.4172
info@harrang.com

www.eugenecascadescoast.org

University Small Business Association: The Chamber

manages the business affairs of the University Small
Business Association. USBA represents the interests of
property and business owners within the West University
Services District and provides support for public safety,
security, maintenance and marketing programs that
improve the business climate of the District.

PORTLAND EUGENE SALEM

COVER STORY

Keeping
it lean
Despite an improving economy,
the lean principles of creating more value
with fewer resources remain popular
By Matt Hollander
Photo by David Loveall

Oregon Community
Credit Unions Toni
Gyatso, Willamette
Valley Companys
Bob Halligan, and
PacificSource Health
Plans Matt Hockley have
made their companies
leaner in recent years.

1 2 OP E N FO R BUSI N ESS | EUGEN E AREA CH AMB ER O F COM M ERC E

In wake of the Great Recession, its not difficult to understand why

so many businesses were attracted to lean practices. For many years it
was easier to cut expenses than add revenue.
But as the economy continues to improve post-recession, the lean
principles, which focus on creating more value with fewer resources,
continue to thrive. Why?
Perhaps there is a misconception that lean is about preserving a
company, especially during difficult financial times.
At the core of lean is the customer, and Bob Halligan, who is the
director of manufacturing for the Willamette Valley Company, and
also serves as president of the Emerald Valley High Performance
Enterprise Consortium (EV-HPEC), would say that the core idea is
maximizing customer value while minimizing waste.
Since 2006, Halligan and the consortium have been beacons of the
southern Willamette Valleys lean movement.
But Halligan can recall when his company, a privately-owned
multinational corporation that manufactures and distributes a wide
variety of custom products and services throughout the world, began
its own lean journey.
After reaching out to Lane Workforce Partnership and the Northwest High Enterprise Consortium, Halligan was connected with a
handful of local companies that had made similar inquiries.
Originally, Halligan could only assume that his company was
unique in its newfound direction. But when an EV-HPEC steering

COVER STORY
committee formed out of those connections,
Halligan could see that the Willamette Valley Company was not alone.
It was truly an eye-opening experience
to meet with all those companies, many of
which I was previously unaware, and find
out they were moving down a similar path,
Halligan said.
Additional companies involved at outset
included Bike Friday, Country Coach,
Pierce Fittings, States Industries and others.
Although at the time the consortium
consisted exclusively of manufacturingbased companies, it was remarkable to see
the different sizes and variety of businesses,
Halligan said.
Eight years later, the consortium has
evolved into an equal split of manufacturing
and service-based companies.
One of the leading spokespeople for
that latter group is board member and
process improvement specialist for Oregon
Community Credit Union (OCCU), Toni
Gyatso.

COVER STORY
As her title might suggest, Gyatso was
tasked with leading OCCU down a lean
path.
Beginning in 2012, Gyatso attended occasional EV-HPEC training sessions, but
the intermittent exposure made for a disjointed learning experience. When OCCU
became a member the following year, she
started to see immediate benefits of lean.
The most difficult process is overcoming the initial learning curve, and that takes
a dedicated effort, Gyatso said. Once I
started going to training sessions every
other month, I was able to create that road
map to lean for OCCU.
In the beginning, Gyatso felt like a
translator of the lean principles to fellow
employees. However, as more colleagues
attended the training sessions, Gyatso says
she recognized a more collaborative, and
less skeptical working environment.
The goal for lean is full-involvement
from a member-organization, she said.
We initially felt some resistance to change;

people can get stuck in their ways, and

lean is often misconstrued for cutting jobs,
which its not. Lean is about creating more
value for an organization.
The value for members of the EV-HPEC
is broad and diverse.
During those early years, the consortium
offered occasional training sessions with
help from Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP). And once a year
it hosted a membership social.
While Halligan and the other board
members understood the value of the
consortium, they experienced difficulties in
expanding the membership.
We explored all the marketing avenues
we could think of, Halligan recalled. We
mined data-bases of local companies, leveraged our community partnerships and made
a lot of cold calls.
Although there was fairly ubiquitous
interest in the consortium, Halligan said
that many were not in a position to pay the
annual dues.

Either organizations were already

engaged with full-time consultants, or they
were smaller and simply couldnt afford to
join, he said.
EV-HPEC membership dues are calculated from a sliding scale based on the size
of the organization. Currently, those fees
can range from $800-$1800. Members have
access to training for employees and other
consortium events.
But as the Willamette Valley Company
saw its cycle times and work cells reduced
by 35-67 percent, Halligan could see that
the potential value of lean practices to an
organization far exceeded the membership
fee.
At the Willamette Valley Company,
when raw material prices go up, we dont
necessarily have to pass those costs to our
customers; we are frequently able to absorb
those fluctuations internally, he said. And
the lean process, which is focused on shortening lead times, minimizing defects and
reducing waste, allows us to do that.

When raw material prices go up, we dont

necessarily have to pass those costs to our
customers. ...The lean process, which is focused
on shortening lead times, minimizing defects
and reducing waste, allows us to do that.
Bob Halligan
Willamette Valley Company

Gyatso also cautioned on relying too

heavily on outside consultants.
Consultants are great, but its difficult
for them to teach the different methods
of adopting and applying lean tools to a
unique culture, she said In the end, being
able to learn the tools for your self is what
will sustain lean in any organization.
While the value metric may be more difficult for OCCU and other service companies to quantify, Gyatso said that the value

is very apparent in the quality of employees.

Its hard to measure but Ive certainly
grown as a professional, and our employees
have as well, she said. When an employee
is leaving, no matter what the reason, we
hear consistently good feedback on the lean
training during the exit interview.
Halligan also said that lean has benefitted Willamette Valley Companys culture.
The leaders had to give reasons for the
employees to buy in to the lean concept,

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 /J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 5

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

15

COVER STORY
and it challenged them to share more, Halligan said And since weve developed more
transparent communication, there is more
sharing and participation from both sides.
Of course, the consortium has not always
traveled a linear path since its inception.
Weve gone through peaks and valleys
of attention and energy, Halligan said.
Sometimes the day-to-day and week-toweek get in the way. But when that happens,
its usually a sign that we need to re-form
and refocus.
Some of the latest initiatives to invigorate the consortium have been academic,
as it has worked to bridge the gap between
manufacturing and service-based members.
It was challenging to figure out that
common language, Halligan said. Manufacturing is about moving materials, and
the service industry is largely about moving
information. Weve had to adapt our curriculum and choose our facilitators based on
those different needs.
Gyatso said that a more tailored curriculum has been helpful for service industry
members, but process improvement is still
considered cutting edge. However, she
certainly doesnt believe that lean is more
valuable in manufacturing.
Nothing about lean is a secret, she said.
The challenge is making it match your own
culture. And one of the many benefits of
EV-HPEC is that you can learn and see
how others are using the tools; how one
member uses a lean tool can be very different from another, even though its the same
tool.
New for this year, members can attain a Lean Enterprise certificate through
Lane Community College. To earn this
distinction, one must complete the required
courses and present a capstone project at
Lean World Caf, a regular networking
event for EV-HPEC members.
The consortium really likes the certificate program, Halligan said. On one hand,
its a great marketing tool, but on the other
hand we also think that it has a lot of value.
In the spirit of lean, we wouldnt promote it
if we didnt feel that it brought some value.
The consortium has also brought in

Nothing about lean is

a secret. The challenge
is making it match
your own culture.
Toni Gyatso
Oregon Community Credit Union

notable speakers for its annual leadership

conferences. Keynotes have included Mike
Martyn, author of Own the Gap, and Mike
Wroblewski, Director of the Kaizen Institute, U.S.A.
In another relatively recent development, the consortium has come under the
umbrella of the Eugene Area Chamber of
Commerce, which provides administrative
services and program support.
Working with the Chamber has been
great, Halligan said. Their support, organization and professionalism have allowed
us to spend more time and more resources
focused on the big picture.
Gyatso added that the Chamber has
been an invaluable partner in helping the
consortium to achieve greater visibility in
the community through the Chambers
many communication platforms.

To contact EV-HPEC, call LeighAnne

Hogue at 541-242-2359 or leighanneh@
eugenechamber.com

Leigh Anne Hogue, who was recently

named Director of Economic Development
for the Chamber said, Bringing EVHPEC into the Chamber provides yet another opportunity for our Chamber to play
a role in strengthening existing businesses
throughout the region. We view our efforts
in support of the consortium as a logical
extension of our economic development
efforts.
Emerald Valley High Performance
Enterprise Consortium (EV-HPEC) is a
Lane County learning network increasing
business competitiveness by sharing and applying lean principles, practices, and tools.
EV-HPEC supports organizations to:
Instill learning in the principles of lean
and high performance;
Provide education and training for
the implementation of lean methods, lean
culture, and workforce development;
Collaborate in solving common problems for improving lean practices;
Promote continuous improvement and
reduction of waste; and
Promote the health and sustainability
of member businesses.
Eugene Area
Chamber of
Commerce

REVERSE
VENDOR FAIR
February 25, 2015

REGISTER NOW

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SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS

Three
businesses
compete for
Bold Steps
Caf Yumm!, Essex General
Construction and Thermo Fisher
Scientific vying for the top spot
Three Eugene businesses, Caf Yumm!, Essex General Construction and Thermo Fisher Scientific have been named finalists
for the 2015 Bold Steps Award. The Bold Steps Award recognizes
Eugene-based sustainable businesses and represents a partnership
between The City of Eugene, Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, and
BRINGs RE:think program.
For the City of Eugene, sustainability means considering and
balancing all three aspects of the triple bottom line people,
planet and prosperity to address the communitys present needs
without compromising future generations.
Eugene is nationally recognized as a leader in sustainability
not simply because of our policies, but because of the commitment and innovation of businesses and residents who are working
to improve environmental quality and grow our green economy,
said Mayor Kitty Piercy. Working together we are creating a
greener, more sustainable, and livable city.
All Bold Steps finalists receive marketing and PR support and
a professionally produced 60-90 second video about their busi-

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19

Join

the Eugene Area

Chamber
of Commerce

Chamber membership has given us the

opportunity to build relationships with
other businesses. Were committed
in our partnership with the Chamber
in making this region a great place to
live and work. After all, a community

ness and the Bold Steps they have taken.

The videos will be shown and a winner
announced at the 2015 State of the City
address held in January. The winner of the
award receives additional marketing and PR
support and will take the Bold Steps trophy
back to their place of business to display for
one year.
Highlights from this years finalists
include:
Caf Yumm! has generated 125,444
kwH of electricity saving 86.5 tons of CO2
emissions and 9,733 gallons of gasoline
since installing the solar powered electric
vehicle charging station at the Broadway
location in Eugene in October, 2011.
Essex General Construction went above
and beyond in their work for several local
nonprofits including FOOD for Lane
Countys headquarters, Willakenzie Crossing for Cornerstone Community Housing,
and Roosevelt Crossing project for Sponsors, Inc. These projects incorporate sustainable designs to maximize energy efficiency.
Thermo Fisher Scientific has achieved

zero waste certification, diverting 95% of

nonhazardous waste from the landfill. The
company also has a Local Green Committee, an employee-led organization that
works to improve the Eugene sites impact
on the environment.
This year, the company worked with local beekeepers to contain and transfer three
swarms of bees to appropriate apiaries from
their main campus.
The Mayors Bold Steps Award was
developed by Mayor Piercy in 2007 to
acknowledge Eugene-based businesses operating with a triple-bottom-line approach.
The award was re-launched in 2014 to be an
annual program with three finalists and one
winner per year. To be eligible for the award,
businesses must be certified by BRING
Recyclings RE:think Business program, be
located in Eugene, and complete an application.
Further information about the Bold
Steps Award and a link to the award application is available on the City of Eugene
website at www.eugene-or.gov/boldsteps.

The Mayors Bold

Steps Award was
developed by Mayor
Piercy in 2007 to
acknowledge Eugenebased businesses
operating with a
triple-bottom-line
approach. The award
was re-launched in
2014 to be an annual
program.

Eugene Area
Chamber of
Commerce

worth living in is a community worth

improving. Wouldnt you agree?
Sheryl Balthrop
Gaydos, Churnside & Balthrop, P.C.

We have great plans

for your business.
As a true community health plan
started by local doctorsTrillium offers
a popular range of comprehensive, lowcost health plans. Dial in the dollars, and
choose a plan thats right for you. Were
20-plus years old and 100,000 members
strong. Its a smart local call.

hink well. Be well.

541-431-1950

800-910-3906

trilliumchp.com

Terry Coplin, CEO &

David Cole, CFO
Trillium Community
Health Plan

541-484-1314
www.eugenechamber.com
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BUSINESSNEWS

BUSINESSNEWS

Promotions/
New Hires

Kudos

Photos appear left to right from top.

Mark Gregory was

named the new State
Director of the Oregon
Small Business
Development Center
Network (OSBDCN)
after serving the past six years as the
associate state director of the Network.
Gregory was selected through a national
search. His term began November 1,
succeeding director Michael Lainoff.
www.LaneSBDC.com

Robertson Sherwood
Architects, PC is
pleased to announce
the promotion of Scott
Stolarczyk, AIA, LEED
AP to Associate. This
promotion is made in recognition of his
superior performance and 15 years of
dedication to the firm. Scotts current
projects include: Lone Rock Resources
Headquarters Building, Roseburg; Central
Kitchen and Wood Shop at University
of Oregon, Eugene; Newport Aquatics
Center, Newport; and The Shedd - Master
Planning, Eugene.
www.robertsonsherwood.com

Garrett Ledgerwood
has joined the law firm
of Hershner Hunter
LLP. He graduated
from Washington and
Lee University School
of Law, summa cum laude, in 2009 and
Texas Tech University, cum laude, in 2001.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Ledgerwood
practiced at a large Wall Street law firm in
New York City and served as law clerk for
a bankruptcy judge in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Ledgerwoods practice at Hershner
Hunter focuses on bankruptcy, business
reorganizations, and creditors rights.
www.hershnerhunter.com

RE/MAX Integrity
is proud to announce
six new Real Estate
Brokers at their office
located at 4710 Village
Plaza Loop in Eugene.
Megan Dawley who will team with veteran
Broker Kim Swenson as a Buyers Broker.
Shannon Hay, Jude Hill, Melissa Smith,
David Odom, and Megan Norman (not
pictured) will join RE/MAX Integrity as
Real Estate Brokers.

Systems West
Engineers is pleased to
announce the addition
of four new team
members: Jerry Jones,
PE (not pictured), with
extensive experience
with large and technical mechanical
equipment and systems as mechanical
engineer; Dennis Stahl as CAD technician
to maintain Systems West Engineers
high document presentation standards;
Heather Cooney with more than 11 years
of administrative experience in design
and construction as office manager; and
Stephanie Brathwaite with a decade of
broad experience in marketing and public
relations.
www.systemswestengineers.com

www.integrityhomesonline.com

Dr. John Hunts of

Aesthetic Surgical
Arts would like to
welcome Dr. Brett
Pariseau (pictured)
to his practice as an
Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon. Dr. Pariseau
has a Masters degreein Electrical
Engineering,attended Stanford Medical
Schooland completed two fellowships
in Oculofacial Plastic Surgery. www.
asaskincare.com

QSL Print
Communications has
recently hired Aaron
Bloom as a Commercial
Print Account Manager.
Aaron has 15 years of
sales experience, most recently in the
medical supply industry.
www.qslprinting.com

Roger Borek, principal

at My Accounting
Team, is pleased
to announce My
Accounting Team is
recently certified as
an Intacct Accounting Provider. As an
Intacct IAP partner My Accounting Team
brings superior systems and technology
to their clients as a component of their
outsourced accounting department/
bookkeeping services.
www.myaccountingteam.com

The Independent Electrical Contractors

(IEC) is pleased to announce that Olsson
Industrial Electric, located in Springfield,
Oregon, received the IEC National Award
of Excellence in Electrical Construction
in the Industrial category during the 57th
Annual IEC National Convention & Electric
Expo in Portland, Oregon.
www.olssonelec.com

Mark Metzger the

general manager of
KLSR-TV/Fox and
KEVU-TV for nearly
24 years, was recently
honored by the Oregon
Association of Broadcasters as the 2014
Broadcaster of the Year.
Waterford Grand, located at 600
Waterford Way on the banks of the
Willamette River, officially opened on
Tuesday, Oct. 28. Designed by Myhre
Group Architects and completed by
Chambers Construction, Waterford
Grand redefines senior living boasting a
community with the highest standards of
care and a state-of-the-art fitness facility
designed specifically for seniors.

Real Estate Professionals, will be located

in the office occupied by John L Scott in
Oakway Mall after what Starr said will be
an extensive remodel and upgrade of that
office. Prudentials south Eugene office will
remain open after the merger.
www.oakway.prudentialhomefinder.com

Portland-based Fred Meyer Employees

Federal Credit Union has merged into
Northwest Community Credit Union.
The merger began as a conversation of
mutual interest with both organizations
boards of directors under the guidance
of the National Credit Union Association,
according to Northwest Community
CEO John Iglesias. The focus was on
improving member services and ensuring
regulatory compliance, he said.

www.waterfordgrand.com

Cougill & Hansen, which does business as

John L Scott Real Estate Eugene, and
Prudential Real Estate Professionals
have merged. John L Scott has 26 local
brokers, Prudential about 40, according to
Jeremy Starr, owner of John L Scott. The
combined firm, operating as Prudential

Jayne McLaws has been promoted from

senior credit administration analyst to
loan review officer at Pacific Continental
Bank. McLaws works out of the
companys offices in Springfield.
Triva Hazelton has been promoted from
records administrator and custodian
to information management officer.
Hazelton works out of the companys
offices in Eugene.
www.therightbank.com

Moss Adams LLP of Eugene

congratulates Brad Smith on his
admission to the partnership here in
Eugene.
www.mossadams.com

Dex One is excited to

welcome Greg Wolf as
a Marketing Consultant
with Dex Media in
Eugene. He has 15
years experience in
sales and management, most recently in
construction material distribution.
www.dexone.com

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BUSINESSNEWS

BUSINESSNEWS

Asbury Design won silver at the Telly Awards

(their highest honor) for their tv spot for
Womens Care. The commercial featured
local mothers and babies.

Willamalane Park & Recreation District

Decision Metrics

CY Media Pros

www.willamalane.org

www.decisionmetrics.org

www.cymediapros.com

Candlewood Suites Eugene-Springfield

Mass Mutual Oregon

Connections Publications, LLC

www.asburydesign.net

www.candlewoodsuites.com/Eugene

www.massmutual.com

www.connectionspublications.com

Harris Painting

Macs Restaurant & Nightclub

Membrillo Latin Caf

www.macsatthevets.com

www.membrillolatincafe.com

Assistance League of Eugene

Silvan Ridge Winery

www.eugene.assistanceleague.org

www.silvanridge.com

Music Masters, LLC

www.musicmastersstudio.com

SpringWell Health Center

www.springwellhealthcenter.com

OH SO JO, LLC

Lyoness

www.ohsojo.com

www.mylyconect.com

Blink
www.blink-nw.com

Dock No. 2 Design

Car2GoNA, LLC

www.dockno2.com

www.car2go.com/en/portland/

Crescendo LLC

Elk Horn Brewery

FlyWheel Inc.
www.flywheel.sandler.com

www.organicello.com

Oregon Imaging Centers

Dr. Michael D. Cary, DMD Secretary/
Treasurer Oregon Academy of General
Dentistry (left) and Dr. Shane Samy, DMD,
MAGD
Dr. Shane Samy from Eugene has been
voted Dentist of the Year by his peers at
the Oregon Academy of General Dentistry.
The Oregon Academy of General Dentistrys
(OAGD) 2014 Dentist of the Year award was
presented to Shane Samy, DMD MAGD,
of Eugene at the OAGD Annual Meeting
on October 4th in Portland. The award
recognizes a general practitioner who has
made an extraordinary commitment to the
community and to the profession. Criteria
for the award include service to dentistry;
service to the community; clinical skills;
and contribution to and participation in
continuing education.
www.samydmd.com

New Members
When you join the Eugene Area Chamber of
Commerce, you become part of a vibrant
and prosperous community of creative
entrepreneurs, forward-thinking innovators
and visionary business leaders. Were
pleased to welcome these new members
who have chosen to take advantage of the
Chambers tools, resources and expansive
network to grow their businesses:
Ms. Ladybug Gift Baskets
www.msladybuggiftbaskets.com

Salishan Spa & Golf Resort

Willamette Family, Inc.

Trigger Hotel Marketing

www.oregonimaging.com

www.wfts.org

www.TriggerHotelMarketing.com

Saraha Childrens School

Brads Car Tunes

www.sarahaschool.org

www.bradscartune.com

Republic Parking Northwest

The Pearl Day Spa

www.rpnw.com

www.thepearldayspa.com

Business News covers promotions,

hires, awards, business giving and
business news. E-mail items to
businessnews@eugenechamber.
com.

We know you have better

things to do than
wait hours in an E.R.
THE 30-MINUTES-OR-LESS E.R. SERVICE PLEDGE
Emergency medicine is about three things: compassion, skilled care and speed. Youll find these
at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center. The experienced E.R. physicians and the entire team are committed to
working diligently to have you initially seen by a clinical professional* within 30 minutes of your arrival.
For more information, visit McKweb.com.
Scan this code with your smartphone to
view our current average wait time.

McKweb.com

If youre experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

*Clinical professional is defined as a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner.
McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospitals medical staff.

www.salishan.com
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9/5/14 2:51 PM

LAST CALL BY DAVE HAUSER

Eugene Chamber collaborations

spark new economic vitality
Across the Eugene/Springfield region, creative economic development collaborations are helping
businesses thrive and in the process, sparking new economic vitality and community pride. The
Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce is a partner in many of these efforts to help realize the
immense potential and achieve regional economic prosperity.
At the Chamber, we believe
manufacturing is a critically important
component of our economy. In
Oregon manufacturing accounts
for a significant share of our states
total economic output at nearly 28%.
That output totals $55.16 billion for
Oregon and it is growing. In fact only
one state, Indiana, represents a higher
percentage of its economy connected
to manufacturing.
We have an economic development
emphasis in our Chamber we refer to
as the Regional Prosperity Initiative
(RPI). A key platform within RPI
is to support the growth of local
manufacturers. National studies show
that 80% of local job creation comes
from the companies that are here. We
want to do all that we can to support
the growth of local manufacturers.
That includes outreach to them to
understand and assist in addressing
challenges and opportunities
weve been working with over
400 manufacturing firms over the
past 4 yearsproviding resources,
information and inspiration to assist
them in their growth. Addressing
the needs of these local businesses
often involves active support from
individuals and agencies across Lane
County.
In addition, our Chamber is an
active driver, founder and/or ally in a
host of collaborative efforts designed
to support business and shape a

prosperous regional economy. A partial

list includes:
Emerald Valley High Performance
Enterprise Consortium
Region Accelerator and
Innovation Network Eugene
(RAIN)
Willamette Angel Conference
Lane BusinessLink
Arts and Business Alliance of
Eugene
Southern Willamette Economic

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Development Corp.
Lane County Sector Strategy
Team
The Eugene Chamber has made
the active promotion and coordination
of community collaboration in local
economic development efforts its top
priority. Were committed to working
with local partners to enhance local
economic development efforts to
produce results that both fit and work
for our communities.
Eugene Area
Chamber of
Commerce

5 Airlines/10 Nonstop Destinations/Infinite Connections

PO Box 1107
Eugene, OR 97440-1107

ANOTHER SUCCESS STORY.

Say hello to the newest partner at Kernutt Stokes.

John Mlynczyk, CPA

John began his career as an accountant in 2006
when he joined Kernutt Stokes. As a partner, he
provides a variety of services, including tax planning
and compliance for businesses and high net worth
individuals. John has experience working with a
variety of clients; however, he specializes in medical
and dental practices as well as manufacturing, timber
and retail businesses.
To learn more about Kernutt Stokes, contact John Mlynczyk
at 541-687-1170

Certified Public Accountants & Consultants

1600 Executive Parkway, Suite 110, Eugene, Oregon 97401
541.687.1170 | kernuttstokes.com