Lisa holds a B.A. in economics and has worked for NEOEDD since 1989. She was the founding chair of Oregon Economic Development Districts, and is a member of the National Association of Development Organizations board and the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission. She has been named “Economic Development Finance Professional” by The National Development Council and “Leader in Entrepreneurialism” by the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce.

Sara Miller has assisted dozens of entrepreneurs to plan, capitalize, and run small businesses, and is a skilled facilitator and grant-writer, with more than 20 years of experience providing technical assistance to non-profits and municipalities. She leads the Oregon Community Food Systems Network, and co-owns Bunchgrass Enterprises.

Erin moved to Wallowa County in 1990, and after living off-grid on the Zumwalt for 8 years, moving into Enterprise and raising her children while working in family advocacy and catering/restaurant cooking, decided to take a leap into the wonderful world of numbers at NEOEDD.

Kristy Athens has more than 20 years’ experience working with small businesses to share their visions. She is an advisor with the Small Business Development Center, has an M.S. in Food Systems and Society, and is the author of Get Your Pitchfork On!: The Real Dirt on Country Living.

Mike Ogan has been in the banking and finance industry for more than thirty years, and is an experienced commercial and agricultural lender. He has lived in Baker County for most of his life, is active in youth sports and community events, and has a passion for economic growth in the region.

Joe Peterson has been working with start-up businesses for the past four years, mainly in the areas of property management and hop export/processing. He has attended Blue Mt. Community College, and serves on the Baker County Public Works advisory committee.