NEWS & NOTES

New VP: Ryan Dempster has been promoted to Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Willamette Valley Bank. Ryan will be responsible for overall financial reporting and accounting for the bank as well as information technology. He has also been named as an executive officer of the bank. Dempster has two years of experience with Willamette Valley Bank. He previously worked as a Senior Manager with the Oregon Secretary of State's office.

Dempster is a graduate of Corban College. He is a member of the bank accounting roundtable and financial officers committees with the Oregon Bankers' Association and is member of The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Willamette Valley Bank is a locally owned community bank serving Oregon since 2000. For a complete list of our services please visit us at www.willamettevalleybank.com

On National Board: Fred Haynes, dean of Engineering and Industrial Technology at Linn Benton Community College, has been appointed to the National Board of Trustees of the American Technical Education Association. ATEA is a postsecondary technical education association with an emphasis on professional development. The ATEA Board of Trustees elects officers and conducts the business affairs of the association. An Albany resident, Haynes holds a bachelor's of science degree and masters in education, both from OSU. He has been employed at LBCC since 2001.

Director selected: The Willamette River Channel Maintenance (WRCM) Organization recently chose Richard Burke as its Executive Director. He brings expertise in legislative advocacy and government relations.

Burke was Executive Director for the Libertarian Party of Oregon from 2001 - 2007 and a senior legislative assistant to State Senator Gary George. He is a founding member of the New Budget Coalition, president of the Tualatin Valley Water District, past board chair and spokesperson for the Willamette Drinking Water Coalition, and past chair of the former Bull Run Regional Drinking Water Authority.

The WRCM was formed to address concerns of counties, cities, landowners, boaters and recreationalists who rely on the river.

Medical provider: Christopher D. Bell, PA-C, is the newest medical provider in The Corvallis Clinic's Gastroenterology department. He joins Hsichao Chow, M.D., Ph.D., in treating patients with disorders of the digestive system. Bell has been working in gastroenterology since he received his physician assistant degree from Idaho State University in Pocatello in 2001. He comes from Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he was a physician assistant at Grand Teton Gastroenterology. Previously, he worked as a physician assistant at Southeast Idaho Gastroenterology in Pocatello, Idaho. Mr. Bell is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Bell will see patients for consults and follow-up care. His office is located on the third floor of the Asbury Building. He can be reached at 754-1988.

Public Works: City Manager Bruce Cleeton announced that Steve Ensley has been hired by the City of Harrisburg as an entry level Public Works employee. Ensley worked at Lone Pine Farms for 11 years prior to joining the Public Works Department.

BUSINESS CALENDAR

August 12: Albany Downtown Association Merchant Meeting. 6 p.m. at Albany Visitor's Association in Two Rivers Market, 250 Broadalbin St. S.W. Main topics: Antiques in the Streets and fall promotions. Additional information available by contacting Albany Downtown Association at 928-2469.

September 3: Women In Business Seminar. 11:45 a.m. at Spring Hill Country Club, 155 Country Club Lane N.W., in Albany. Featured speaker Diana Simpson, Benton County Sheriff. Seating limited, reservations required. Reservation deadline August 28. Cost: $15 for Chamber members, $20 for non-members. Contact Albany Area Chamber of Commerce at 926-1517 for registration information. Sponsored by Central Willamette Insurance Agency.

September 6: Antiques in the Streets in downtown Albany. Booth space still available by contacting Debi at 928-2469.

September 24: The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Business on Display Tradeshow will be at Linn County Fair & Expo, Willamette Events Center. 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Booths cost $250 for Chamber members and $400 for non-members prior to August 8. For registration and additional information or to reserve a booth contact Danielle at the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, 541-926-1517. Premier sponsors for the event are Albany Democrat-Herald, BBSI, Central Willamette Community Credit Union and Express Employment Professionals.

September 24: Membership Luncheon Forum at Businesses on Display Trade Show. 11:30 a.m. at Linn County Fair & Expo. Speaker Brigadier General Cam Crawford, retired. "Guantanamo from A Soldier's Perspective". Pre-registration required. Contact Danielle at the Chamber office, 926-1517, for further information.

October 3: One Is Enough Golf Tournament. 9 a.m. shotgun start. Golf Club of Oregon. Five Person Best Ball Scramble. One club only. Cost: Team payment $350 before September 12, $375 after September 12; individual payment $70 before September 12, $75 after September 12. For registration, payment and additional information contact the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce at 926-1517. Presented by Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, Coastal Farm & Ranch. Lunch sponsored by Knife River.