Wyden, Smith, Kulongoski Get Economic Summit Task Forces Underway

As part of an unprecedented, bipartisan effort to move Oregon’s economy forward, Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith, and Governor Ted Kulongoski have announced the formation of three task forces charged with coordinating specific strategies to help shape Oregon’s economic future.  During the December 9, 2002 Economic Summit, Senators Wyden and Smith, and then Governor-elect Ted Kulongoski, announced their plans to create these task forces as part of their 7-point State-Federal agreement to Restore Oregon's Economy. 

Task force members have already been named (see below) and their work will be monitored using our Initiative Tracker.  Senior members of the Senators’ and Governor’s staffs, along with key members of the private sector, will lead this effort.

TASK FORCE 1: Joint task force to identify and evaluate federal research appropriation and grant opportunities to review their relative potential for job creation and business spin-off.

Members:

  • Scott Gibson, Task Force Chair -- Gibson Enterprises (Senator Wyden’s Designee)
  • MardiLyn Saathoff -- General Counsel, Office of the Governor
  • Rian Windsheimer -- Economic Development Coordinator, Senator Gordon Smith

Progress for this task force will be monitored under the Oregon Business Plan's "Commercialize Research" Initiative.

TASK FORCE 2:  Business Recruitment Strike Force to better coordinate recruitment strategies and maximize Oregon’s political assets.

Members:

  • Peter Bragdon, Task Force Co-Chair -- Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor
  • Jack Isselmann, Task Force Co-Chair -- Chair, Economic and Community Development Commission
  • Josh Kardon -- Chief of Staff, Senator Ron Wyden
  • Kerry Tymchuk -- State Director, Senator Gordon Smith

Progress for this task force will be monitored under the Oregon Business Plan's "Industry Cluster Development" initiative.

TASK FORCE 3: Joint education funding team to begin immediately identifying untapped Federal education grant opportunities.

Members:

  • Rebecca Thomas, Task Force Chair -- Special Projects Director, Senator Gordon Smith
  • Ruchi Bhowmik -- Legislative Assistant, Senator Ron Wyden
  • Jim Sager -- Education Advisor, Office of the Governor
  • Rob Larson -- Federal Liaison, Superintendent Susan Castillo

Progress for this task force will be monitored under the Oregon Business Plan's "K-12 Education" initiative.


Back to News Archive

Back to Main News Page