SBUA Oregon has organized an SBUA Oregon Advisory Committee. Members are from small businesses from different industry sectors and met for the first time on 11/10/22 to get acquainted with one another and SBUA activity in Oregon.
Read down below to learn more about the initial Advisory Committee members:
Tye Gabriel, East Portland Chamber of Commerce Board Member, East Portland
Tye currently serves as part of the East Portland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. As a board member Tye participates in community guidance by shaping the future of the chamber and the community it serves. Tye’s role also incorporates networking with businesses, organizations, and community members. Tye is a sales specialist for Generations LLC, the west coast senior living residence operator. The specific senior residence community that Tye serves currently is CherryWood Village in Portland, Oregon.
Jan Wilson, Nonprofit Leader/Attorney, Tualatin/Tigard
Jan has had a career as an environmental attorney for two decades and served as the executive director for both EarthShare Oregon & Tualatin Riverkeepers most recently. Jan’s leadership skills in these nonprofits include extensive community outreach and understanding the logistics of what it takes to run and manage a nonprofit organization. Furthermore, Jan has contributed her skillset to SBUA and brings that helpful experience to the advisory committee.
Todd Kimball, Small Business Consultant, Portland Metro Area
Todd currently serves as an Advisory Board member for BestHQ. Todd’s engagement with BestHQ involves bringing small businesses and large businesses together for networking opportunities through sustainable means. Todd has also contributed to assisting SBUA in past matters and understands key aspects of SBUA and its significance in energy and utility discussions.
Ann Fisher, Attorney/Energy Consultant, Beaverton
A small business owner, and having worked in electric utility issues 25 years ago, Ann Fisher also specializes in legal practice areas such as general business, commercial law, litigation contracts, etc. Ann has interacted with the following state agencies Bonneville Power Administration and Oregon Public Utility Commission contributing to her understanding of the energy legal landscape in the Pacific Northwest.
Mike Shea, Architect, Portland Metro Area
Mike is a principal at Soderstrom Architects where they concentrate on higher education projects, federal projects, and facilities for the Bonneville Power Administration, including their net-zero Ross Maintenance Headquarters in Vancouver, Washington. Mike’s portfolio includes other net zero and sustainable projects reflecting career-long interest in energy conservation and renewables.
Les Oehler, Small Business Manager, Corvallis
Les Oehler’s experience includes managing a family business of four jewelry stores in the mid-Willamette valley. Les is currently the CEO at Studio 311 & TOBY POMEROY Fine Jewelry and is familiar with the Oregon Public Utility Commission’s impact on small business utility rates.
Gordon Feighner, Restaurant Owner, Portland
Gordon Feighner is co-owner and manager of two popular Portland restaurants, Jam on Hawthorne and Cricket Cafe. An economist by training, Gordon spent five years working as a utility analyst for the Citizens Utility Board of Oregon. Gordon brings a great understanding of energy usage in the hospitality industry, and his background in utility economics in Oregon assures a great perspective on the interaction of that industry and the investor-owned utility work where SBUA engages.