Who We Are - Board of Directors
The NSCEDC is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for establishing program policy, approving the annual budget, and determining, facilitating, and promoting the goals of the NSCEDC.
Tim Kirsch has been on the NSCEDC board for many years now. I truly believe that volunteers are the backbone of small communities.
I have owned and operated a couple of businesses in the Canyon and know that the strength of my business is dependent on the strength of my community, the diversity of our workforce, the stability of our infrastructure, and the quality of our lifestyles.
Everything is connected and as individuals unite to enhance our environment, we will make a positive impact on the whole.
Email: tim@growsantiam.org
Josh Weathers works for the USDA Forest Service managing recreation on the Detroit Ranger District. He is a graduate of the Ford Institute for Community Building’s leadership development class, and continues to promote volunteerism both within and outside of the agency.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources with an emphasis in Forest Management from Oregon State University. Prior to that, Josh earned his Associate's Degree in Forest Management at Chemeketa Community College.
Josh feels that his dedication to volunteering on the NSCEDC Board of Directors is a way to give back to the community he lives and works in, as well as fostering the growth and leadership potential within the Santiam Canyon.
Mike Medley serves the North Santiam Canyon Economic Development Corporation in three ways: I am an active Board of Directors member, I am the Enterprise Facilitation Program Chair, and I am the bookkeeper for the corporation.
The North Santiam Canyon Economic Development Corporation is my first priority for community work because I believe that helping to improve our local economy through promoting small business growth and assisting citizens in finding jobs is an effective way to help all the people of our community.
When people have adequate income they worry less about paying rent and utilities, are more able to share loving relationships with their family and are able to be more productive citizens within the community.
Email: mike@growsantiam.org
Sharlene Trexler is a board member of the North Santiam Canyon Economic Development Corporation. She is also a member of the Enterprise Facilitation Management Team.
Jahn Hoover
moved to the Santiam Canyon in 2005 as a commuter to work as a hair artist in Lake Oswego and now works locally at the Hair Konnection. Cutting down on the commuting time has allowed him to become more involved in this vital community. Joining the NSCEDC is his way of participating in the exciting process that will bring this area to thrive once again.
Jahn is co-chair of the Rails to Trails Project which will one day soon provide an excellent trail system to be enjoyed by hikers, bikers and equestrians. The North Santiam Trail System is very accessible to the Willamette Valley and Jahn invites any questions about trail locations, maps, progress on the project and any upcoming trail hikes sponsored by the NSEDC.
Jahn owns and operates Into The Wild Equine Adventures with his wife, Sheila, and will be using the Monument Peak Trail System, which is connected to Santiam Horse Camp. He uses Natural Horsemanship methods for trail rides through the local beautiful Pacific Rain Forest.
Email: jahn@growsantiam.org
Sandra Rupert is a board member of the North Santiam Canyon Economic Development Corporation and serves on the Enterprise Facilitation Management Team. In her professional life, Rupert is a contractor for the United States Postal Service, operating the branch in Gates.
Previously, she worked for the local Santiam Canyon School District. She is a devoted community volunteer, holding roles in the Gates Neighborhood Watch Association, the Mill City-Gates American Legion Auxiliary, Santiam Canyon Youth and Families Alliance, and the North Santiam Library District. Rupert graduated from Holloway High in a rural farming community in Minnesota.
She and her husband of 41 years, Richard Duff, moved to Gates more than 30 years ago with their two sons. She is a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Rupert believes that a strong point of an enterprise facilitation program is that it will enable Canyon residents to live and work closer to the place that they call home.
Email: sandra@growsantiam.org
Mia Mohr is the project manager for the North Santiam Canyon Economic Development Corporation and has been on staff with the organization since 1996. She brings a wide range of expertise including grant writing and administration.
In 2001, she was honored to receive the Professional Service Award from the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments for her role in facilitating intergovernmental cooperation. Mohr also represents economic interests on the federally chartered Opal Creek Advisory Council.
“The best part of my job is that I get to work with great people who are both creative and passionate about their community and every day, I have the opportunity to make a difference!”
Email: mia@growsantiam.org
Allison Ford McKenzie is the Enterprise Facilitator for GROW North Santiam. With a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Whitman College and a Masters in Management from Keuka College, Allison brings more than 22 years of experience in business development consulting, writing, lecturing, and investment sales & management to her position with GROW.
Allison grew up in Snohomish, Washington. She watched her town deteriorate when the mills got into financial trouble, an experience that later inspired her graduate school research on communities that have reinvented themselves after years of economic decline. For her, it’s all about collaboration.
“What I love about this work is that everyone gets to run their business idea up the flagpole. Every person who comes to us has access to a multitude of hometown people who stand ready to offer their brainpower, creativity, optimism, and experience to help entrepreneurs succeed. It is a great gift to me to see the look on clients’ faces when they realize they don’t have to go it alone, that they have entire communities of people rooting for them to succeed and willing to help them in the process.”
Email: allison@growsantiam.org
Eric Puro is the AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer acting as a project coordinator for the North Santiam Canyon Economic Development Corporation and will work with the organization from August 2009 - August 2010. He has a bachelors of science from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in economics and technology management as well as a minor in philosophy. He brings these newly attained skills in business development to his service this year.
He has participated in many community development projects throughout his years in Bloomington, Indiana while attending Indiana University, and hopes to bring similar projects to the Santiam Community. His projects this year include starting a Buy Local Campaign, managing the 5&10K Santiam Lumberjack Scramble, and starting an Individual Development Account (IDA) program.
“I am looking forward to helping out this community in the best way that I see fit; by empowering and enabling local entrepreneurs to do what they do best - starting successful businesses!”
Email: eric@growsantiam.org
If you would like to join this group of movers and shakers in our community or think you have some interesting ideas, please stop on by our office or send a message! We are currently looking for additional board members who can help us make a positive impact in our community.
