Success in Salem: 2021 Legislative Session Adjourns with Major Wins for Oregon Businesses
In her monthly column, OBI Chair Karen Vineyard, market executive, global commercial banking for Bank of America, reflects on the 2021 legislative session and the many accomplishments the OBI policy team achieved in the past six months.

Angela Wilhelms to be Next President & CEO of OBI
As we announced last week, the OBI board of directors has hired Angela Wilhelms to lead the organization effective Sept. 1. Angela is a strong leader who firmly believes in the importance of a vibrant business sector and the jobs all of you provide for Oregonians. She deeply appreciates the diversity of Oregon’s business community and plans to travel around the state meeting as many OBI members as she can to learn about your priorities firsthand.

Currently, Angela serves as secretary to the University of Oregon’s board of trustees, the first individual to be in that role. She played a critical role in establishing the university’s governing practices and operations. Her work with the university’s board and leadership during the last several formative years played a role in enhancing the university’s standing as one of our state’s premier educational institutions.

Prior to joining the university, Angela had a successful career in public policy. She served as chief of staff to the former Oregon House Co-Speaker Bruce Hanna and held the same role in the House Minority Office. She has also spent time in Washington, D.C., serving as press secretary to retired Congressman Greg Walden. Angela was also of counsel in the Portland office of the law firm Dunn Carney, specializing in comprehensive government affairs services.

Angela will be succeeding Sandra McDonough, who has been in the president & CEO role since 2018 and plans to retire on Oct. 1.
COVID Restrictions Lifted, Oregon OSHA Issues Temporary Rules
Effective today, June 30, Oregon businesses no longer need to require customers, employees, vendors or others to wear a mask on their premises. Additionally, no physical distancing requirements or capacity limits remain in effect.

Gov. Brown announced last week that she would fully reopen the state by today. She has rescinded her executive orders that placed COVID restrictions on businesses and schools. Read her announcement here.

Healthcare organizations, public transportation and certain other facilities will be required to maintain ongoing restrictions, in line with guidance from the CDC. Other businesses are allowed to continue requiring masks and physical distancing if they so choose.

Oregon OSHA has issued temporary rules that repeal the mask and distancing requirements. You can find the rule here and the appendices here. You can also find a news release from Oregon OSHA here.
Alaska Airlines CEO to Serve as Keynote Speaker at OBI Event
Join us in person on Oct. 27 at the Portland Art Museum’s beautiful Kridel Ballroom for the inaugural Vision Oregon Dinner!


We are thrilled to announce that the event’s keynote speaker will be Ben Minicucci, the new CEO of Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. The pandemic had unique impacts on the travel industry that rippled worldwide. Learn about those challenges and why Oregon businesses should be more optimistic than ever as we recover together.

After 20 years of celebrating the Oregon spirit of leadership, we’ve decided to rebrand our flagship dinner and award ceremony with a focus on the future. The Vision Oregon Dinner will celebrate our state’s tremendous potential and honor Oregonians whose innovation and spirit of service are making it possible for our state to soar into the future. 

This event is also an opportunity to bestow OBI’s highest honor, the Oregon Visionary Award, to individuals who – through steadfast service to their communities – illuminate our collective path to shared prosperity, built upon a thriving state economy with opportunity for all Oregonians. With an uncompromising vision for a fair and prosperous state, Oregon Visionaries are willing to set aside individual interests and traditional political allegiances to bring Oregonians from all walks of life together around a common set of values, as well as practical and equitable solutions to the most difficult challenges of our time.

Sound like someone you know? Get in touch with us!
OBI Speaker Series Taking Summer Break, Will Return in the Fall
Thanks to the generous support of Bank of America, this year OBI launched a brand-new webinar series that featured high-profile panelists discussing various issues of significance to Oregon communities.

To date, we’ve hosted the presidents of Oregon’s three largest universities, discussed COVID’s impact on women in the workforce, racism in Oregon’s history, the future of healthcare in the state, and met with first year legislators to learn about their priorities and impressions of the Oregon Legislature.
Thank you to the hundreds of members that have joined us throughout the past several months!

We’re taking a short break in July and August, but will return in September with a conversation on second chance programs, youth re-entry, and what that means Oregon’s workforce as we address a statewide worker shortage. Registration is coming soon.

On Oct. 1, will host our annual Manufacturing Day celebration as part of the Speaker Series. We will be taking attendees on a virtual tour of different manufacturers throughout the state, and will host a panel of community leaders to discuss the importance of supporting this industry. We’ll dive into the various challenges facing ese businesses in Oregon, the role public policy plays in solutions, and highlight some of the extraordinary contributions and accomplishments OBI manufacturing members have made throughout the past year as the state recovers from the pandemic.
Eastern Oregon Economic Summit Registration Now Open
OBI is proud to again sponsor the 2021 Eastern Oregon Economic Summit! The annual summit, held in Hermiston this year on Aug. 19-20, will include field and industry tours, general session speakers, and a series of discussion panels focused on regional economic updates, federal and state legislative updates, program and industry updates, and more.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the vital role eastern Oregon businesses and industries play in supporting our statewide economy. Tickets are available at http://www.easternoregonsummit.com. See you there!
New Membership Benefits Now Being Offered
Have you had a chance to update your organization’s contact information and check out our brand-new member benefits?

We know business is constantly evolving and we want to keep up with the changes in your organization. We want to be sure that you are maximizing your membership with us. 

Please take a few moments to review your information and make any necessary updates by accessing the online Member Information Center. Login at http://obior.memberzone.com/login.

New membership benefits include:

  • Member Directory - help other members find you with a listing in our Member Directory.
  • Job Postings - submit your own job openings to our jobs list.
  • Member-Member Offers (coming soon) - offer coupons and special deals to fellow OBI members.
  • Member Events Calendar - add your events to our online event calendar displayed with quick links; use these links to share in your social media, text to mobile devices, add to your calendar, or email to others.

If you’d prefer not to be listed in our new member directory, please contact Patti Winter.
Small Dues Increase Beginning Next Month
With the health and economic challenges of the past year, we are all experiencing unprecedented challenges and, now more than ever, OBI is working hard to advocate for you and businesses across Oregon as we recover together.

Like most organizations, our expenses have steadily increased. Even though we have faced rising expenses, we have not increased our rates in over five years. Starting with members renewing this month, we are asking for a 2.5% increase in dues to support our ongoing efforts. Recognizing that it has been a challenging year for many businesses, if this increase is a financial burden, we will work with you so you can continue your engagement with OBI and our many programs.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us any time.
Benefit Spotlight:
CompSAFE Celebrates 30 Years
For more than 30 years, OBI has partnered with SAIF to deliver reliable workers’ compensation insurance to Oregon businesses – at significantly discounted rates. Now, SAIF’s Other State Coverage Program is available to eligible OBI CompSAFE members. OBI CompSAFE protects your employees… and your bottom line.

  • Over 700 businesses choose OBI CompSAFE for their workers’ compensation insurance needs.
  • They range from companies with less than 20 employees to corporations with over 500.
  • Most industrial sectors are represented – including Services, Manufacturing, Retail/Wholesale, Transportation and a general CompSAFE business category.

Whether you’re a start-up or an established corporation, OBI CompSAFE provides the service you need. 
OBI Members Making Headlines this Month
Welcome to Oregon Business & Industry!
OBI is thrilled to welcome 14 new members that joined in May!

Congratulations and thank you to the following businesses for joining OBI; we are a stronger organization because of you.

Watch our new member video to learn more about these great companies and where they do business.
Are you taking full advantage of your OBI membership?
Check out all of our benefit programs and start saving today!
Oregon Business & Industry
1149 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97301