Speakers

Allison is a nationally recognized geotechnical and resilience engineer and an expert on the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake scenario and Oregon’s state of preparedness with regards to the CSZ. She specializes in helping communities assess, develop, and prioritize resilience improvements and adaptations and incorporate infrastructure considerations into emergency planning. Allison chairs the Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Committee and has led the disaster reconnaissance committee for at the Infrastructure Resilience Division of the American Society of Civil Engineers focusing on lifeline damage and its effects on community response and recovery. She provides a unique skillset focusing on infrastructure resilience and it’s impacts on emergency response and recovery, bridging the gap between public works and emergency management. Allison’s work at the state level includes state level resilience planning as well as project experience in statewide vulnerability assessment and planning projects. She recently managed statewide transportation and disaster island mapping for the state of Oregon, was the resilience lead for engagement on statewide climate vulnerability planning and led statewide rule development for required hazard mitigation of fuel tanks. In addition to her statewide experience, Allison has recently led many local, county, and regional planning efforts for transportation, water, communications, and energy systems as well as resilience-based asset management programs for large scale property owners. Further, her background in geotechnical engineering has focused on failure emergency response and recovery as well as geohazard identification and mitigation for state, county, and local agencies for more than twenty years.

Angela Wilhelms has been president and CEO since September 2021. Before joining OBI, Angela held several roles focused on public policy, organizational governance, communications and strategic planning. Her work spans manufacturing, higher education, Capitol Hill and the Oregon Legislature. In the Oregon House of Representatives, she served as chief of staff in the House Minority Office and the House Co-Speakers’ Office helping advise lawmakers on a diverse portfolio of policy, budget and legislative management issues. Angela has a degree in finance from Santa Clara University and both a JD and MBA from Willamette University. She serves on the boards for Sport Oregon, the Oregon State Capitol Foundation and Common Sense Institute Oregon and is an emeritus member of the SMART Reading board. In her spare time, Angela loves to explore Oregon, and she is a certified official with USA Track & Field.

Lori is president of Miles Fiberglass and Composites, a family owned company in Clackamas that manufactures a wide range of products. Lori is the second generation leader of the company, having begun her career at the company while in high school.

Damon Runberg serves as the Senior Economist at Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency. In this role, he advances Oregon’s economic goals by analyzing key indicators that impact the state’s workforce and business climate. His work also includes evaluating the effectiveness of economic development strategies and incentive programs across Oregon. With more than 15 years of experience as an economist in both the public and private sectors, Damon brings deep expertise in labor markets, demographics, housing and construction, and economic development. His work helps organizations and communities make informed decisions that drive growth and resilience.

Colin has worked in the field of economic development for 25 years in Oregon with extensive experience in global trade, foreign direct investment, and business recruitment, retention & expansion. He also has significant experience working with the high tech, clean tech and outdoor gear & apparel industries. Colin currently oversees global trade, recruitment/foreign direct investment, semiconductor, and industrial lands staff and programs for the agency. He holds both a Masters of Science in Geography and Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and serves on the board of World Oregon.

Andrew is Director of Economic Development Policy with the Oregon Business Council. In that role he leads efforts to build sector-based and cross-sector strategies to grow and expand the Oregon economy. Andrew led the staff supporting the development of the Oregon Semiconductor Competitiveness Task Force & Clean Tech Task Force reports and is currently leading the work of the Life Sciences Competitiveness Task Force. Andrew and OBC are also deeply engaged in industrial land policy. Andrew holds an MPP from the University of Washington.

Nora Apter is Oregon Director for Climate Solutions, where she advances ambitious, innovative policies to protect Oregon’s climate, strengthen community resilience, and support local economies. She previously served as Director of Programs and Climate Program Director at the Oregon Environmental Council, leading statewide policy development and coalition efforts. Earlier in her career, she spent eight years in Washington, D.C., as Deputy Director of Federal Affairs at NRDC and as a legislative aide to U.S. Senator Ron Wyden. Nora serves on several state and local advisory bodies, including the Oregon Climate Action Commission and the City of Portland Sustainability & Climate Commission. She holds a B.A. in International Affairs and Economics from Lewis & Clark College.

Janine serves as the Director of the Oregon Department of Energy. Janine joined ODOE in 2017 as Assistant Director for Planning and Innovation and was confirmed by the Oregon Senate as director in February 2018. Janine came to ODOE from the U.S. Department of Energy, where she served in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. Janine spent 12 years working for Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) in Washington, DC. She grew up in Portland, OR and has a degree from Princeton University.

Katie is a senior utility manager with more than 25 years of leadership experience in transmission development, strategy, commercial policy, and organizational transformation. She currently leads PGE’s Transmission Development team, which is focused on developing and delivering transmission growth strategies and projects. Previously, she held leadership roles at the Bonneville Power Administration in transmission contracts, commercial policy, asset management, and operations and maintenance. Throughout her career, Katie has led complex organizational and policy initiatives that support the transition to a cleaner, more reliable electric grid. She earned an MBA from Washington State University and a BS in Wildlife Science from the University of Washington.

Chris Cummings joined Business Oregon in February 2016 as the Assistant Director of Infrastructure Finance and the Executive Director of the Infrastructure Finance Authority. In January 2017, the agency was reorganized, and Chris became the Assistant Director of Economic Development, and in May 2022, was named Deputy Director. Prior to joining the agency, Chris served as Program Manager of Oregon Department of Transportation’s Freight Planning Program, working to ensure a robust, efficient freight transportation system. He brings a wealth of knowledge and more than 20 years of experience in economic development, project management, and capital construction and planning. Chris graduated from Rowan University in New Jersey with a B.A. in Law/Justice and Rutgers University with a Master of Public Administration from his home state of New Jersey.

Commissioner John Shafer was first elected to the Umatilla County Board of Commissioners in November of 2018. Commissioner Shafer has a degree in Criminal Justice and rose to the rank of Sergeant during his 19-year career working for the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Shafer spent nine years as a 4-H Shooting Sports leader. He enjoyed spending his vacations for many years at the Umatilla County Fairgrounds watching his children show pigs and several other projects. He also served on the Board of Directors for the East Umatilla County Health District for 10 years, serving for 6 as the Chairman of the Board. Commissioner Shafer was on the Athena City Council for 10 years, six of those as the Mayor of Athena. In 2017 Commissioner Shafer was chosen as Athena’s First Citizen of the Year. Commissioner Shafer spent nine years as a 4-H Shooting Sports leader. He enjoyed spending his vacations for many years at the Umatilla County Fairgrounds watching his children show pigs and several other projects. He also served on the Board of Directors for the East Umatilla County Health District for 10 years, serving for 6 as the Chairman of the Board. Commissioner Shafer was on the Athena City Council for 10 years, six of those as the Mayor of Athena. In 2017 Commissioner Shafer was chosen as Athena’s First Citizen of the Year.

Patty Mulvihill is the Executive Director of the League of Oregon Cities (LOC). The LOC represents Oregon’s 241 cities in the legislature and courts, while simultaneously helping local government officials obtain needed training and secure access to municipal best practices. Prior to becoming the Executive Director in December of 2022, Ms. Mulvihill was the LOC’s General Counsel, a position which saw her provide legal advice to city officials across Oregon and provide numerous trainings to both elected officials and city staff. Before joining the LOC, Ms. Mulvihill was an in-house attorney for the city of Bloomington, Indiana.

Frank Stratton serves as Executive Director of the Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO), providing strategic leadership for the association and its affiliated insurance and risk management programs for Oregon’s special districts. He brings more than 30 years of experience in public sector risk management, insurance, governance, and legislative advocacy. He holds a BA from Oregon State University and an MPA from Portland State University.

Kelly Scannell Brooks is an Oregon transportation and infrastructure policy leader with experience across local, state and federal government. She currently serves as Senior Transportation and Infrastructure Advisor to Governor Tina Kotek.

Before joining the Governor’s Office, Brooks worked as Assistant City Manager for Milwaukie from 2017 to 2023, supporting projects such as the redevelopment of city hall, new multifamily housing, and the reconstruction of the Ledding Library. She also spent six years with ODOT, where she served as the Region 1 Policy and Development Manager during development of House Bill 2017, Oregon’s major 2017 transportation funding legislation.

Since joining the Kotek administration in 2023, Brooks has played a central role in developing the Governor’s transportation policy agenda, advising on funding and investment priorities, engaging with the Legislature and transportation partners, and supporting the state’s approach to major infrastructure projects. She is currently leading efforts to develop a sustainable, long‑term transportation funding strategy for Oregon through the Governor’s Rebuilding Our Transportation Vision Workgroup.”

Keith Leavitt serves as Executive Director of the Oregon iSector. He brings more than 30 years of experience in economic development, public policy, transportation, trade, and community development, with a career spanning leadership roles in the Oregon Legislature, the Oregon Economic Development Department, the Governor’s Office, and more than 25 years at the Port of Portland, where he served as Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Trade and Economic Development Officer. Throughout his career, Keith has worked across the public, private, and civic sectors to advance major infrastructure, trade, industrial development, and economic development initiatives throughout Oregon. He currently serves as a Board Member for the Albina Vision Trust, and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Oregon State University Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Jenny Glass is senior outreach manager for Alaska, Oregon, and Washington in Community Engagement and Analysis at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. In this role, she is responsible for engaging communities and connecting with a broad range of community development stakeholders to understand the economic experiences of lower-income households and communities. She works to elevate emerging issues and innovative approaches that promote economic opportunity through shared learning, community conversations, and cross-sector partnerships.

26 years ago, Vice President of Community Engagement, Deborah Flagan, joined Hayden Homes, the largest private homebuilder in the NW. Deb works with cities, largely in rural communities, across OR, WA, ID and MT to encourage tools that allow for housing to be built that local working families can afford. She also shares the Hayden Homes Give as You Go philosophy, by directing charitable resources to build housing through private public partnerships in the cities and counties Hayden and Simplicity Homes serves.

Diana serves as Sr. Advisor for Public Sector Engagement and Programming with AIAI (The Association for the Improvement of American Infrastructure). In this role, Diana is leading the P3 Direct program, an exclusive, complimentary program designed to provide education, information and support to public sector agencies considering P3 as an alternative to standard project delivery. Diana’s career spans 30 years in the public sector. She has served as County Administrator, County Budget Officer, and Flood Control Manager as well as Executive Director of the Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity at Harris County, TX; and Director of Economic Development & Strategic Investments in Travis County. She started her career with the Texas General Land Office implementing the Texas Coastal Management Program.

Nancy is currently the Clackamas County Operating Officer. A primary component of her position was the Project Manager for the replacement courthouse completed May 2025. In this position Nancy acted as the owner in all aspects. Interaction with Clackamas Progress Partners representative, the and the Design and Build Manager as well as the owner’s representative advisory firm. Nancy also has other related county operating duties and manages other county departments, county security initiatives, facilities management and budgets.

Matt Glassman is a Design Manager with PCL Construction and brings more than 20 years of experience spanning architecture, engineering coordination, construction management, and alternative project delivery. Throughout his career, Matt has led the planning, design, and execution of complex public and private sector projects across civic, education, transportation, and commercial markets. His diverse background as a licensed architect and 13 years working on the construction side of the industry provides a unique perspective on project integration, stakeholder alignment, and delivering value through collaborative delivery models. As Design Manager for the Clackamas County Circuit Courthouse, Matt led the design management effort from procurement through design development and construction. Matt’s role focused on aligning owner requirements, managing multidisciplinary design teams, supporting stakeholder engagement, and helping establish the collaborative “One Team” culture that became a key contributor to the project’s success.