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Articles Tagged with: Launch Mid Valley

Jamie Akers of Local Flow Health Bar in McMinnville, OR

Blending Passion and Purpose: How Jamie Akers and Local Flow Health Bar Are Nourishing McMinnville

In the heart of McMinnville, OR, where community and wellness intersect, Local Flow Health Bar stands as a beacon of nourishment and connection.

At the center of it all is Jamie Akers, a passionate entrepreneur whose journey is as vibrant as the smoothies she serves. Jamie and her team recently made waves by winning first place at the Launch Mid-Valley Startup Bootcamp Weekend, held from January 31 to February 2, 2025, at Linfield University’s W.M. Keck Science Complex.

But her impact extends far beyond the competition stage. She’s helping to redefine what it means to run a community-driven business.

A passion for health and community

When Jamie and her family acquired Local Flow Health Bar in December 2022, they didn’t just take over a business. They embraced a mission.

Local Flow had already established itself as a go-to destination for fresh-pressed juices, vitality shots, and nutritious smoothies. Jamie saw an opportunity to expand on that vision, adding her own creative touch with a menu that now features savory and sweet crepes, alongside wholesome lunch bowls.

Her philosophy is simple yet powerful: food should fuel not just the body but also the spirit. Every item served at Local Flow is carefully crafted to nourish and energize, whether it’s an antioxidant-packed acai bowl or a protein-rich smoothie designed to keep locals going through their busy days.

But Jamie’s vision extends beyond what’s on the plate. She wants Local Flow to be a place where people come together, where conversations flow as freely as the freshly squeezed juice.

Jamie’s Launch Mid-Valley journey

Jamie’s entrepreneurial drive recently earned her and her team the top spot at the Launch Mid-Valley Startup Bootcamp Weekend. The event brought together local business owners, innovators, and mentors for an intensive weekend of learning, pitching, and collaboration.

Competing against a field of ambitious startups, Jamie’s pitch stood out. The first-place win not only validated her vision but also provided her with valuable resources and mentorship to continue growing Local Flow in new and exciting ways.

A health bar and a community hub

For Jamie, Local Flow Health Bar is more than just a business. It’s a hub for the McMinnville community.

She has worked hard to cultivate an inviting space where people can relax, connect, and prioritize their well-being. Whether it’s supporting other small businesses or simply providing a friendly smile along with a nutritious meal, Jamie aims to make her impact felt throughout the community.

Her approach to business is a refreshing reminder that success isn’t just about profit. It’s about people.

It’s about making sure that every customer walks away not only satisfied but also inspired to embrace a healthier, more connected lifestyle.

As Local Flow Health Bar continues to thrive under Jamie’s leadership, one thing is clear. She’s not just serving smoothies; she’s serving up a vision for a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant McMinnville.

Want to be part of the Launch Mid-Valley vibe? We’ve got tools and resources to help you grow and scale up your business. Just fill out this form to get started >>> https://tinyurl.com/mid-valley-innovation.

Building Community One T-Shirt at a Time: Roanna Gingrich and CreativiTEE’s Story

In today’s fast-paced, technology-dependent world, taking the time to put down our phones, slow down, and bond with loved ones through creative activities sounds like a luxury.

But that’s exactly the kind of luxury that CreativiTEE in Downtown Salem, OR, offers.

Founded by Roanna Gingrich, CreativiTEE is a store where you can design your own T-shirts using professional materials. But it’s more than just a T-shirt store.

It’s where stories are shared, bonds are forged, and imagination takes center stage.

Step inside, and you’ll quickly see that CreativiTEE is a safe and inspiring space for building community.

Telling Stories through T-Shirts

The process of designing your own T-shirts at CreativiTEE is simple, fun, and unique.

First, you pick out your canvas – a T-shirt in your favorite color or style.

Then comes the exciting part: designing. With a wide array of materials at your fingertips, you can let your imagination run wild. Whether a bold statement, a delicate pattern, or a fun doodle, your design is your T-shirt’s centerpiece.

Once your design is ready, the friendly CreativiTEE staff brings it to life using professional screen printing.

Finally, you’ll don your custom creation, strike a pose, and capture the moment as a memory in ink and fabric.

Where Creativity Meets Community

CreativiTEE founder Roanna Gingrich has envisioned her store as a space that inspires connection.

Roanna’s dedication to community shines through in every aspect of her work. She’s a proud Latina with roots that span from Portland to Peru. Sharing her heritage is essential to her mission, reminding us of the importance of getting to know each other beyond surface impressions.

Above all, Roanna has made CreativiTEE a safe space for the community. Everyone is welcome here, no matter who they are, whether they’ve come to buy or design a shirt, attend an event, or simply stop by for a chat.

She especially loves seeing families gathering at her store to create and bond together in ways that can’t be replicated with mobile devices or computer screens. In a world where technology often pulls us apart, CreativiTEE strives to bring us back together.

CreativiTEE is also becoming a hub for Downtown Salem’s artistic and entrepreneurial spirit. Roanna hosts an array of events that spark inspiration and foster community building. From yoga sessions followed by tank top designing to art classes and informal forums, there’s always happening at the store.

One standout event that Roanna hosts is Launch Mid Valley’s Women/BIPOC Coffee Club for Startups and Entrepreneurs, where diverse entrepreneurial voices come together to share ideas, build networks, and uplift one another.

Empowering Women One Design at a Time

Aside from building community, Roanna has also made it her mission to empower women through her space and designs.

Through events like CreativiTEE’s First Friday Art Walk, she provides a platform for women artists to showcase their work.

Through events like the aforementioned Women/BIPOC Coffee Club for Startups and Entrepreneurs, she gives women and BIPOC women business owners a place to connect with peers and share ideas and resources.

One such event inspired her to create a special line of T-shirts with uplifting messages, celebrating the strength and wisdom of women. These designs include feminine nouns in Spanish, such as “la femenina” or the feminine, “la diosa” or the goddess, and “la sabia” or the wise woman. Roanna comes up with a new design each month to add to her inspiring collection.

The Value of Presence

Despite the technological advances allowing us to communicate with anyone anywhere in the world in real time, technology has made interpersonal connections a bit of a challenge.

But Roanna hopes CreativiTEE can be a place where people slow down and truly connect. Whether it’s families creating T-shirts together, friends attending a yoga session, or entrepreneurs brainstorming over coffee, the store is a reminder of the value of presence.

For Roanna, it’s all about hanging out and creating together. And she’s right – there’s magic in the simple act of making something with your own hands with people who matter to you.

Ready to experience the inspiring community of CreativiTEE for yourself? Stop by the studio in Downtown Salem.

And if you’re a small business owner in Salem, check out the next schedule for the Women/BIPOC Coffee Club for Startups and Entrepreneurs. Join us for coffee and conversation, and walk away with the spark for your next big idea.

Championing Change: Bob Dalton Is on a Mission to Inspire Generosity and Local Action

Bob Dalton’s Journey: Turning Compassion into Action

In 2013, when Bob Dalton’s mother faced the challenge of homelessness, it sparked in him a determination to make a difference.

Bob started by making phone calls to local homeless shelters, asking them what they needed most.

The answer he got became a movement that now spans communities across the nation.

The answer was simple: blankets.

That’s how Sackcloth & Ashes was born – a company founded on a simple yet powerful idea.

For every blanket sold, another is donated to a local homeless shelter.

But Bob’s story doesn’t stop there.

Turning blankets into a bold statement

Bob did more than just build a company. He built a mission.

Sackcloth & Ashes’ blankets deliver both warmth and dignity to people living in homeless shelters, making them feel seen and valued as human beings.

The blankets are also a statement of sustainability.

Through its innovative production process, each Sackcloth & Ashes blanket is made using 100% recycled materials. They’re carded, woven, and finished without the use of water, chemicals, or even dye.

Through this process, Bob emphasizes that businesses can be purposeful, sustainable, and at the same time, profitable.

Championing change from the grassroots

Bob Dalton’s passion for local impact extends beyond Sackcloth & Ashes.

He founded Love Your City (LYC), a platform designed to elevate nonprofits doing meaningful work at the community level.

Through LYC, users can explore local organizations, volunteering opportunities, and multimedia stories of changemakers operating at grassroots levels.

Bob also hosts the Love Your City Podcast, where he sits down with leaders who are driving solutions to local issues.

These candid conversations reveal what it means to build a better world from the ground up.

They’re a powerful reminder that anyone, everywhere, can be a force for good.

Bob’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed.

In 2024, CNN named him one of its Champions for Change, recognizing his leadership in social innovation.

Bob also strongly believes that human beings are designed for communities.

He is working hard to transform the local digital landscape into a space where people can connect meaningfully and feel like they truly belong.

See Bob Dalton at the LMV Startup Bootcamp Weekend

Bob Dalton will bring his insights and energy to the Launch Mid Valley Startup Bootcamp Weekend, happening from January 31 to February 2, 2025, at Linfield University’s W.M. Keck Science Complex.

As the keynote speaker and a member of the judging panel, Bob will share his entrepreneurial journey, offering valuable lessons on building mission-driven businesses.

This three-day event is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs, changemakers, and anyone eager to turn ideas into action.

Whether you’re looking for inspiration, mentorship, or collaboration, the LMV Startup Bootcamp Weekend is the perfect place to ignite your entrepreneurial spirit.

Learn more and register here.

Building a Greener Future: The Visionary Work of Dr. Sean Muir

How do you inspire change across disciplines? For Dr. Sean Muir, it’s about turning bold ideas into transformative action.

An interdisciplinary scientist, educator, and artist, Dr. Muir doesn’t just imagine solutions. He creates them. From developing cutting-edge virtual reality tools for teaching chemistry to pioneering sustainable construction materials, he proves that bold ideas can reshape the future.

His work is as diverse as it is impactful, driven by a singular mission – to inspire change and leave the world better than he found it.

A scientist and academic

Dr. Muir’s academic career reflects his dedication to advancing science education through innovation.

Currently an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and the Director of Innovation and Technology at Linfield University, he is known for rethinking how students engage with science in meaningful and transformative ways.

Dr. Muir’s teaching approach helps students see the broader societal impact of scientific concepts. He also guides them in engaging with the application of these concepts in immersive ways so they can develop meaningful careers in STEM fields.

Before joining Linfield University, Dr. Muir did research with the Oregon State University. He also co-founded Amorphyx, a flexible electronics and display startup.

Building a sustainable legacy with Solid Carbon

Aside from his academic work, Dr. Sean Muir is the Director for Research and Development at Solid Carbon, a company that develops carbon-sequestering concrete products.

Concrete is the foundation of modern civilization. But its environmental impact is staggering. Traditional production releases one pound of carbon dioxide for every pound of concrete made.

For Dr. Muir and the Solid Carbon team, this method of producing concrete must change.

Solid Carbon flips the script on concrete production entirely. By incorporating biogenic carbon-based materials sourced from waste, the company’s products absorb and store carbon during production and use. This innovation transforms buildings into tools for fighting climate change, thus making sustainability integral to the built environment.

The work is as ambitious as it is impactful. Solid Carbon’s concrete has been used in groundbreaking projects, including homes for Habitat for Humanity, installations at Portland’s Burnside Skatepark, and the massive flooring of New Energy Works in McMinnville. These projects demonstrate that environmentally conscious materials can meet and even surpass industry standards for quality and durability.

Watch Dr. Sean Muir at the LMV Startup Bootcamp Weekend

Dr. Sean Muir’s passion for fostering innovation isn’t confined to his lab or classroom. He is an avid supporter of the McMinnville entrepreneurial ecosystem and has hosted Launch Mid Valley events at Linfield University.

From January 31 to February 2, 2025, the Launch Mid Valley Startup Bootcamp Weekend will take place at Linfield University’s W.M. Keck Science Complex. There, Dr. Muir will share his insights on leveraging publicly funded labs to accelerate entrepreneurial innovation.

This event is a unique opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn, connect, and launch the next wave of game-changing businesses.

Just as Dr. Muir has shown through his own journey, the intersection of innovation and sustainability can create solutions that leave the planet better than we found it.

Personal Needs Can Drive Community Impact: The Story of Haley Queen and Sustainable Rituals

When Haley Queen of McMinnville, OR, decided to embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle, she quickly discovered an unsettling reality: the choices for local, sustainable household and personal care products were either too limited or inaccessible.

But rather than give up, Haley turned her frustration into inspiration.

Fast forward nearly five years, and she’s the proud owner of Sustainable Rituals, an eco-friendly oasis housed in a retired Airstream trailer at Mac Market in McMinnville.

“Why isn’t anybody starting an eco-friendly shop?” Haley says, reflecting on her journey.

It all started with feelers at Zero-Waste McMinnville to see if there was interest in the idea of a shop that sold curated, eco-friendly cleaning and personal care essentials and offered bulk refills.

The idea took root, and with a lot of trial, error, and determination, Haley launched her business.

Building a Business, One Refill at a Time

Setting up a bulk refill system was no easy feat. Haley reveals that the bigger challenge of her business is figuring out how to make this system work and efficiently transfer products from her containers to her customers’ bottles.

It took a lot of trial and error, but she kept refining the process, always prioritizing quality and usability.

True to her values, Haley doesn’t stock anything she wouldn’t use in her own home. Every product goes through a meticulous testing process. If she can’t use it, it’s not going on her shelves.

Her community has been her biggest collaborator. Haley listens and tries to give them what they need. She credits active listening to Sustainable Rituals’ growth.

Shifting Perspectives

Despite her challenges in perfecting her refill system or launching her business, Haley recognizes they’re not her real breakthroughs.

It was shifting her mindset.

Haley realized that she could have spent forever worrying if people would love her products. She just needed to get out of her own way and get started. She trusted her community and learned as she went.

Over the years, Haley has seen a growing shift in consumer awareness. People are paying more attention to what’s in the products they buy and how they’re packaged.

But balancing expectations can be tricky. Not every customer agrees on what’s the best. So, instead, she offers options and focuses on making it easier for beginners to embrace a plastic-free lifestyle.

Her ultimate dream? To transform Sustainable Rituals into a full-fledged, plastic-free grocery store. While that vision is still on the horizon, Haley remains laser-focused on her mission of providing her community with high-quality, sustainable products that make a difference.

The Power of Connections: Launch Mid Valley Startup Bootcamp

Haley’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of community and mentorship.

That’s why she’s passionate about events like the Launch Mid Valley Startup Bootcamp. She credits the event for giving her the push she needed back in 2020. The mentors, the connections, and the shared energy were transformative for her.

Today, Haley still leans on some of those mentors who continue to provide her with invaluable guidance.

Haley’s story is a reminder that significant change often starts small.

With a dream, a little courage, and a lot of heart, she’s proving that sustainability isn’t just a trend – it’s a movement. And in McMinnville, it’s rolling forward on wheels.

For anyone considering launching their own business, the new Launch Mid Valley Startup Bootcamp Weekend is from January 31 to February 2, 2025, at Linfield University’s W.M. Keck Science Complex.

It can be the game-changer you’re looking for. Register now.

Deep-Rooted Leadership: How Brad Kleiner Empowers Business Leaders to Thrive

One of the biggest mistakes that business leaders often make is believing they must do everything themselves. This “do-it-all” mindset can lead to feeling stuck, losing focus, and hitting a growth plateau – not to mention fostering a stagnant company culture where teams are unmotivated and underutilized.

The truth is, no leader thrives alone, and asking for help isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength.

That’s where Brad Kleiner comes in.

As the founder and principal consultant at Cedar Root Consulting, Brad helps business leaders break free from the barriers holding them back. He sees his mission as empowering these people to become more thoughtful, flexible, and mindful in their approach.

With a strong, deeply rooted leadership foundation, these individuals are then equipped to inspire happy, motivated, and productive teams while fostering sustainable company growth.

How does Brad help leaders get unstuck?

Brad’s approach is as versatile as it is effective. He offers workshops and retreats covering crucial topics like team building, hiring the right people, nurturing strong client relationships, networking, and creating a powerful digital presence.

He also hosts Basecamps, where leaders gather on his stunning 20-acre, cedar-covered woodland property to connect, share experiences, and solve common challenges. These intimate and collaborative sessions help them find actionable solutions while building a supportive peer network.

By combining strategic tools with real-world insights, Brad creates transformative experiences for leaders looking to reignite their passion and purpose.

Leveraging 25 years of leadership expertise

Brad’s approach is grounded in his own extensive experience. Starting as the co-founder of a small startup, he eventually climbed into executive roles in a billion-dollar media company. Along the way, he discovered his true passion: helping people unlock their potential.

Brad understands that a leader’s personal and professional lives are deeply intertwined. His coaching reflects this as he guides leaders to step out of their comfort zones and navigate challenges with clarity and confidence.

See Brad in action at Launch Mid Valley’s Startup Bootcamp Weekend.

If you’re a leader or entrepreneur looking to take your business to the next level, don’t miss Brad’s upcoming talk at the Launch Mid Valley Startup Bootcamp, happening January 31 to February 2, 2025, at Linfield University’s W.M. Keck Science Complex.

This event is a prime opportunity to gain insights from Brad and other top names in Mid-Willamette Valley’s business community that will help you overcome the hurdles that may be holding you back from attaining your true potential as a leader.

Learn more and register: https://startupbootcampweekend.com.

Insects, Innovation, and Impact: Pat Crowley Redefines Sustainable Agriculture through Chapul Farms

What if the key to solving some of the world’s biggest problems – food waste, water scarcity, and soil degradation – was right under our feet?

For Pat Crowley, it was. His company, Chapul Farms, began with cricket-powered energy bars.

After a few years, Chapul Farms grew into a global innovator, proving that insects are part of the future of sustainable agriculture.

Pat’s journey started with crickets.

The spark for Pat Crowley’s mission to revolutionize agriculture began with a paddle.

As a whitewater rafting guide, Pat became aware of the benefits of eating insects. Insects are packed with protein. Eating them can also help address issues surrounding the world’s water supply.

Pat’s curiosity around edible insects became a business idea in 2011. From a small kitchen, he started making energy bars using cricket powder. Thus, Chapul was born – “chapul” means crickets in the Aztec language.

Chapul’s energy bars became available in three flavors: Aztec-themed with dark chocolate, cayenne, and coffee; Thai-themed with ginger, coconut, and lime; and regular peanut butter and chocolate.

Baiting Sharks with cricket bars

Pat Crowley’s mission was ambitious: normalize eating insects to harness their incredible efficiency as a protein source and reduce the staggering environmental toll of traditional livestock farming. He saw his energy bars as a way to help boost interest in insect farming and consumption.

But for his mission to succeed, Chapul needed more funding. Pat tried to raise money through Kickstarter in 2012. The campaign was a resounding success – from a target of $10,000, Chapul was able to raise $16,000, well over the goal.

But why stop at Kickstarter when there are more funding sources available?

Enter Shark Tank. In Episode 5.23 of this popular reality TV show, aired in 2014, Pat pitched his cricket-powered energy bars to the skeptical Sharks.

The idea struck a chord with billionaire investor Mark Cuban, who offered $50,000 for a 15% stake. With this infusion of capital, Chapul’s energy bars soon graced the shelves of thousands of retail markets across the US, embraced by eco-conscious eaters and fitness enthusiasts.

From energy bars to insect farming

In 2019, Pat Crowley shifted focus. He stepped away from energy bars to concentrate on the foundational power of insect farming.

From this, Chapul Farms emerged with a bold vision: to use insects, specifically black soldier fly larvae, to transform food and agricultural waste into valuable products like protein, oil, and frass (black soldier fly larvae’s nutrient-rich excrement).

Located on the McPhillips Farm in McMinnville, OR, Chapul Farms became a hub of innovation, tackling food waste and improving soil health while supplying black soldier fly larvae for applications ranging from pet food to aquaculture.

Redefining agricultural biodiversity with insects

Pat’s vision is more than just about feeding the world. It’s about redefining how we think about waste.

Imagine mountains of beet skins destined for landfills finding their way to trays of voracious black soldier fly larvae instead. These larvae devour the waste, leaving behind materials for livestock feed (the larva itself) and natural fertilizer (the larva’s frass).

Chapul Farms doesn’t stop at production – they’re scaling their impact. Partnering with companies across the country, they help design and build insect farming facilities to meet the growing demand for sustainable agriculture. Their Innovation and Research Center drives advancements in insect agriculture, with every project aimed at accelerating climate and soil health benefits.

Small insects, big impact

Pat Crowley’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

In 2023, he earned the Kelly McDonald Business Leader of the Year Award from the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership. In that same year, he helped Chapul Farms secure the OEN Growth Stage Award.

Beyond accolades, Pat’s work continues to inspire at the TEDx and university speaker circuits, where he shares the promise of insects as a key to regenerative agriculture.

Pat’s journey from crickets to climate solutions reminds us that innovation often begins with a leap of faith – and a love for our planet.

See Pat in action as he joins the judging panel at the upcoming Launch Mid Valley Startup Bootcamp Weekend from January 31 to February 2, 2025, at Linfield University’s W.M. Keck Science Complex. Get the details and sign up here.

Turning Carbon Footprints into Climate Solutions: John Mead’s Innovative Approach to Concrete Construction

Concrete is a cornerstone of modern construction, from towering skyscrapers to humble homes. However, its environmental cost is staggering.

Cement, a key ingredient of concrete, accounts for approximately 7% of global carbon emissions – a significant contributor to climate change. Beyond cement production, the environmental toll of concrete includes mining and quarrying resources like limestone, heating limestone with fossil fuels, and transporting materials.

Recognizing the urgent need for change, John Mead has made it his mission to transform concrete from a climate culprit into a solution. He achieves this through Solid Carbon, a company he co-founded in 2022.

Solid Carbon is pioneering carbon-negative construction, reducing emissions by producing sustainable, durable concrete that sequesters carbon rather than releasing it.

Concrete that Reverses Climate Impact

According to John, a pound of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere for every pound of concrete produced. Solid Carbon’s innovations are designed to flip this equation.

By incorporating biogenic carbon-based materials, their concrete absorbs and stores carbon during production and use, creating a built environment that actively contributes to climate change.

Their products also emphasize that sustainability doesn’t come at the expense of quality or profitability. Solid Carbon’s products are durable and versatile, suitable for structural and decorative applications in both commercial and residential projects. From factory floors to winery conversions, their concrete proves that sustainability and performance go hand in hand.

From Innovation to Impact

Solid Carbon’s success is fueled by collaboration with key partners such as the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership (MEDP), the Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR), and Business Oregon.

With a $241K High Impact Opportunity Grant, the company partnered with Oregon State University for solution testing and community projects. These community projects included pilot pours for the Miller Woods welcome pavilion and the Alpine Crossing patio. These initiatives have expanded their capacity to revolutionize the construction industry.

Since then, the company has worked on significant projects such as:

Homes for Habitat for Humanity in Gig Harbor, WA
An installation of vertical walls and a tunnel for Burnside Skatepark in Portland, OR.
The 5,000 square-foot floor of Remy Wines’ winery production space
The 440 cubic-yard factory flooring of New Energy Works in McMinnville, their biggest pour to date

Impressive achievements and recognition have marked Solid Carbon’s journey.

In 2022, it received the SEDCOR Innovative Product Award, which honors its groundbreaking work in sustainable concrete.

In 2023, MEDP celebrated its contributions to local sustainability efforts with the McMinnville Innovator Award.

In 2024, Building Green Magazine included Solid Carbon’s concrete among its Top 10 Products list, acknowledging their industry-transforming innovations.

For Solid Carbon, profitability and sustainability are not at odds – they are essential to creating a better future. John believes in leaving the planet better than we have found it. Through innovative materials and visionary leadership, John and Solid Carbon prove that even the most entrenched industries can become agents of climate action.

Hear John Mead’s Story at the LMV Startup Bootcamp

From January 31 to February 2, 2025, John will share his vision and story at the Launch Mid Valley Startup Bootcamp. He will show how businesses can grow and profit while positively impacting society and the environment.

The Startup Bootcamp is an excellent opportunity to learn how to take your business to the next level. Save these dates and stay tuned for details.

Dean Craig: Connecting Businesses to the Right Resources in Mid-Willamette Valley

As an entrepreneur, having someone listen to you as you share the issues and challenges that hinder your business growth is invaluable. That someone becomes even more valuable if they connect you with people and resources that can help you overcome these obstacles.

Dean Craig, the Business Services Director for the Willamette Workforce Partnership, is that someone for many small business owners in the counties of Linn, Marion, Polk, and Yamhill.

Dean is a dynamic leader and problem solver dedicated to strengthening Mid-Willamette Valley’s workforce and business community. With a background spanning 30 years in human resources and extensive experience as a youth workforce advocate, he is uniquely positioned to guide startups and aspiring entrepreneurs toward success.

Building a Thriving Workforce

Willamette Workforce Partnership, a non-profit organization serving as the workforce investment board for the region, is committed to creating a prosperous, inclusive community. It achieves this by fostering partnerships that drive skill-building, job placement, and sustainable growth for businesses.

In his role at this organization, Dean collaborates with businesses across various industries to address common challenges. He then aligns them with the right people and resources to craft innovative solutions to these issues.

A Legacy of Empowerment

Before joining Willamette Workforce Partnership, Dean spent nearly 13 years serving the regional Youth Council of Incite, Innovative Workforce Solutions, formerly Job Growers Inc. As a board member, president, and past president, he was pivotal in equipping young people with the skills and work ethic they need to secure meaningful employment and build brighter futures.

His passion for cultivating talent and solving workforce challenges continues to shape his work today. From January 31 to February 2, 2025, Dean will share his expertise with emerging business owners as a mentor at the Launch Mid Valley Startup Bootcamp.

This Startup Bootcamp, which will be held at Linfield University’s W.M. Keck Science Complex, is a unique opportunity for local entrepreneurs to gain hands-on guidance from seasoned professionals like Dean and to network with peers and industry leaders. Dean’s deep understanding of workforce dynamics and ability to find creative solutions will be invaluable to anyone looking to launch or grow a business.

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