State Economist:

Damon Runberg is the State Economist at Business Oregon. He is also the lead economist for East Slope Economics, where he provides research support and market analysis. He has extensive experience giving presentations across the Pacific Northwest and California.

Damon is passionate about presenting economic information in a humorous, entertaining, and digestible fashion. Each presentation is unique to that audience and their community.

Moderator:

Katy Brooks is the Bend Chamber of Commerce CEO. Her vision for the chamber is to catalyze an environment where businesses, their employees and the community thrive. The chamber supports a collaborative business environment and leads efforts to resolve on tough issues like the affordable housing and childcare shortage, assisting businesses with resources and support through the pandemic, and advocating for business at the local and state level.

Katy’s background in government relations enables her to understand public policies and issues in order to advocate for the businesses of Bend. Her experience in economic development and public affairs lends itself to forming partnerships and alliances that support a growing business community.

Dr. Megan Lawson leads Headwaters Economics research in outdoor recreation and public lands. She uses economic and statistical analysis to better understand the issues that communities face such as the economic potential and impacts of housing and land use policies, economic diversification, and public land management. Equal parts scientist and communicator, Megan uses data to conduct actionable research that illuminates solutions. She applies analytical skills to land use, natural resource, and public health topics, with an emphasis on the unique needs and opportunities for rural communities.

Julia Theisen leads is the CEO of Visit Central Oregon.

Jaime Eder is the Director of Workforce Development and Community Engagement, a collaborative role shared between Visit Bend and Visit Central Oregon.

Jaime has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality sector, with the past six years spent in dynamic communications roles with Travel Oregon, the state’s tourism commission. At Travel Oregon, Jaime served as the agency’s public information officer and spokesperson, led content development for everything from CEO talking points to the agency’s new 10-year strategic vision. She also worked closely with RDMO partners across the state to support public affairs and policy needs related to legislative sessions, workforce development and transient lodging tax.

Heather Ficht is the Executive Director of the East Cascades Works, a non-profit serving the ten (10) counties on the east slope of the Cascades Mountain range in Oregon including Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Wheeler, Gilliam, Jefferson, Crook, Deschutes, Lake and Klamath. East Cascades Works strives to connect talent to opportunity.

Heather has over 20 years’ experience in workforce development in Oregon, ranging from direct service to working for local workforce boards. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from University of Wisconsin Madison and her Master’s in Social Work from Portland State University. Heather has supported the start-up of several organizations as well as programs and has extensive experience with youth workforce programming and re-engagement strategies that launch young people on to careers.

Josh Lehner is an Economist with the State of Oregon’s Office of Economic Analysis. He develops the quarterly Oregon Economic forecast, including outlooks for employment, income and housing. Mr. Lehner also acts as the state’s de facto vice economist by forecasting revenues for the Oregon Lottery, Oregon Judicial Department, and state marijuana and tobacco taxes. Outside of work, Josh enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, traveling the state and consuming Oregon’s craft beverages.

Mr. Lehner’s economic research has been cited by Calculated Risk, The Economist, Financial Times, National Public Radio, The New York Times, The Washington Post and other local media. Prior to joining the state, Mr. Lehner worked as a research analyst for a local economic development organization and published a paper on the border tax effect between Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

Brandon Tyler is a dedicated Hotel General Manager for Riverhouse on The Deschutes, with over twenty years of experience in the hospitality industry in which 16 of those years are of Luxury Resort & Hotel Operations Management Experience. He is a problem solver within high-pressure circumstances and a team-player. Brandon truly enjoys working with people, and customer satisfaction is vital to him. Destinations he has worked include Desert, Mountain, Beach, and Metropolis locations. Brandon comes with a wealth of experience in Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage Outlets, Banquets, Engineering, Security, Condo Relations, Recreations, Beach & Pool, Spa, Revenue Management, and Gift Shop.

Moderator:

Sara Odendahl is a veteran public affairs and government affairs professional, having honed her political consulting chops at the Colorado State Capitol for the better part of a decade. Her policy expertise includes health care, non-profit and local government issues, specializing in children’s health, public health, early childhood education and local/regional economic development issues. Prior to her lobbying career, she worked for several advertising and branding agencies focusing on issue-based strategic communications. Since trading in her high heels in Denver for hiking boots in Bend, she and her husband developed and launched Work-Collective, a community coworking office complex in the heart of NorthWest Crossing.