Gorge Tech Alliance Newsletter
April 2020


Supporting, connecting and developing the tech community of the Columbia River Gorge.
In This Issue
GTA Events
Member Spotlight
Regional Resources
Robot Tru-D
Scholarship Winner Announced
PNDC Online Events
OMEP Online Events
Job Openings
Foundational Sponsors
Premier Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors

Gorge.net
 ICE logo
Orbital UAV
Overwatch logo
  Prigel Machine Logo
Real Carbon
Seckora

Sightline Applications

Zepher
Silicon Sponsors
Atmosera
  Chernoff Vilhauer LLP logo
  

CGCC
Columbia River Insurance logo
Jentay Group

MCEDD 

Port of Hood River
  RADCOMP
R.L. Blaisdell Consulting
SYK LLP

Silicon Forest Electronics
Tech Talent Link
Watch "Chasing Grace" at Home!
The GTA and Gorge Women in STEM have brought filmmaker Jennifer Cloer to the Gorge over the last two years to show Episode 1 and 2 of the Chasing Grace Project. This powerful series focuses on the experiences of women in the tech industry. Until now, the episodes of were only available to screen at theaters and conferences. There are now three upcoming virtual screening events, each one featuring a different Chasing Grace Episode. You can register for Episode 1 on May 21st - or all three - of these virtual events here.
April Virtual Geek Lunch Video Available
Did you miss our first virtual Geek Lunch on April 21? Presenter Eric Strid discusses how technology disruptions are fundamental to the culture of electronics, but new to energy markets. The Zoom video is available  here. (You will have to provide your own Kung Pao chicken!)
Member Spotlight: Silicon Forest Electronics
Frank Nichols started Silicon Forest Electronics in 1999. As Founder, CEO, and President, he has grown SFE to over 89 employees. He has created a "Human Management" style that focuses on making a positive and profound impact to all employees, customers, communities, and shareholders. "Frank started the company because he sensed a real need for high reliability, high quality electronic manufacturers in the region," said Executive VP and General Manager Jay Schmidt.  Learn more.

 Regional Resources for Businesses and Workforce COVID-19 Information
Mid-Columbia Economic Development District has created a clearinghouse for COVID-19 related information and resources for business and workforce. This site is updated daily as new information comes available, and will be a good place to watch as details on federal and state (OR and WA) relief are released. Bookmark  mcedd.org/ready

Highlights:
  • Oregon business support page.
  • Oregon employment department information for workers, job-seekers and employers here.
Additionally, the Gorge Tech Alliance is here to help our members through this. We can find information, connect you with resources, be your supportPlease reach out! 

 GTA Member News
SIGMADESIGN achieved their ISO 9001:2015 certification. This certification focuses on quality systems management, emphasizing risk analysis and management. Visit SIGMADESIGN for full details on this achievement. 

The SIGMA DESIGN Soft Goods Team has also produced a design for their own "sneeze guard" masks. They are distributing masks so employees who need to come to the office because of work requirements can wear them.  They have also made their pattern and instructions available publicly here.
There is also an effort to 3D print face shields for health care workers. Learn more here.

We know other GTA member companies are doing  inspiring work to support efforts in the fight against COVID-19.  Cardinal IG and Innovative Composite Engineering are also making PPE.  If you are involved in efforts you would like us to share, please let us know!
FORTH Level-2 Electric Vehicle Charger Giveaway
FORTH is a national nonprofit and trade organization based out of Portland, OR. They advocate for electric, shared, and smart mobility through four primary areas: Industry Development, Consumer Engagement, Demonstration and Pilot Projects, and Policy Advocacy. Learn more about FORTH here. 
Forth received a number of level-2 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and was instructed to give them to organizations that are willing to install them as workplace charging stations by the end of summer 2020.  Could this be you?  Click here for full details.
Robot Aids UVA Health in the Fight Against COVID- 19
The University of Virginia Healthcare system has acquired a new robot that is helping maximize the life of some of the most critical personal protective equipment for their healthcare professionals. Known as "Tru-D," the robot uses ultraviolet germicidal irradiation or UV light vectors to disinfect porous and non-porous surfaces without toxic chemicals.  Tru-D can disinfect up to 6,000 N-95 masks a day. Learn more about Tru-D  here.
Corwin Hardham Memorial Scholarship Recipient
The GTA is pleased to announce Marileisi Castillo-Palacios as the recipient of our 2020 Corwin Hardham Memorial Scholarship. 
Marileisi with fellow CSO Connor Sam in DC.
Marileisi is graduating early from Hood River Valley High School with plans to attend Oregon State University in the fall and double major in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. Marileisi is a member of Chief Science Officers, and through this program she serves as both a STEM advocate and leader in her school and community.  Last fall, she attended the Chief Science Officers International Summit in Washington DC, where she advocated to leaders for better access to STEM for under-represented and rural youth. 

Would you like to learn more about the scholarship or donate to support the bright future of Gorge STEM students like Marileisi as they pursue post-secondary education? 
PNDC Online Events
 GTA Partner PNDC is offering these online programs of interest: 
  • April 29, 12-1:30, Recession Resiliency Workshop. Details.
  • May 8: Responding to Federal RFPs: Understanding and ensuring proposal compliance. Details.
Online Webinars for Manufacturers
 GTA Partner OMEP is offering these resources:
  • Tuesdays at 3:00 PM: Weekly Web Event: Manufacturer Resource Sharing. Register.
Recorded Webinars:
  • SBA Coronavirus Relief Funding Options for Manufacturers 
  • Social Distancing Best Practices for Your Shop Floor
  • Business Survival Tips with Tom Schnell of Business Oregon
All available here.
Job Openings with GTA Members
Newest jobs in bold!
  • Applied Navigation is seeking a User Interface Developer.
  •  Cardinal IG in Hood River seeks Production Technicians and a Safety Manager.
  •   Collins Aerospace seeks seeks a  Chief Engineer.
  • Custom Interface is seeking a Financial Controller, Kitting and Inventory Specialist, Assembly Specialist, and Quality Control Technician. 
  • Google - The Dalles has many openings, including a Technical Program Manager, Associate Facilities Tech, Technical Program Manager and more.
  • Insitu has many new openings, including Software Engineer, Software Product Manager, Technical Illustrator, Systems Engineer, Support Technician, and more.
  • MCEDD is seeking a Finance and Operations Manager and a Deputy Director.
  • Orbital UAV is hiring a Senior Engine Test Technician.
  • Overwatch Imaging seeks an Airborne Imaging Specialist, Software Engineer, and Imaging Payload Mechanical Engineer.
  • PowderPure is seeking a Finance Manager.
  • RADCOMP is seeking a Level 2 Business IT Admin.
  • Real Carbon is seeking a Composite Engineer and CNC Programmer/ Machinist.
  • Sierra-Olympic Technologies is seeking a Software/Firmware Engineer and Manufacturing Production Tech.
  • SIGMADESIGN has several openings in Gresham, including HR Partner and Project Test Engineer.
  • Trillium Engineering is seeking a Sales Administrative Assistant, Human Resource Professional, Test and Support Engineer, Quality Engineer and Manufacturing Technician.
  • Zepher has an opening for a Mechatronics Engineer and Supplier Quality Engineer.
Be Social with the GTA!
Follow us on Twitter    Like us on Facebook    View our profile on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: This newsletter is sponsored by GTA. The items contained herein are published as submitted and are provided for general information purposes only. This information is not advice. Readers should not rely solely on this information, but should make their own inquiries before making any decisions. GTA works to maintain up-to-date information from reliable sources; however, no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions or results of any actions based upon this information. If you have any questions regarding any of these items, contact the organizational representative of that source.

 

This newsletter may contain links to websites that are created and maintained by other organizations. GTA does not necessarily endorse the views expressed on these websites, nor does it guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information presented there. Furthermore, visitors should be aware that other sites linked from this newsletter may use persistent cookies that track visitor viewing habits.