Featured Speakers
Guest Elected Officials
Representative Daniel Nguyen – Oregon House District 38
Chair House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade
Daniel Nguyen is serving his second term as the Oregon State Representative for House District 38 (Lake Oswego and portions of Southwest Portland). He currently serves as the Chair of the House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade, and is a member of the Joint Committee on Legislative Information Management and Technology, and the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development. During the 2023 session, he served on the Joint Committee on Semiconductors, actively working to bring competitive, high-tech jobs to the state.
Daniel is the son of Vietnam War refugees who came to the United States in 1975. He was born and raised in Camas, Washington. He earned a BA in Business & Public Administration from the University of Puget Sound and an MBA from Marylhurst University. Daniel founded and owns Bambuza Hospitality Group, operating restaurants for 20 years alongside his wife Katherine.
Before being elected to the Oregon House of Representatives, Daniel served as a Lake Oswego City councilor, making history as the first person of color elected to the City’s Council and as the first public elected official in Oregon of Vietnamese heritage.
Daniel is an active community volunteer and dedicated public servant, serving on the Oregon Community Foundation’s Metro Leaders Council, the Oregon Treasury Savings Network, the Oregon Innovation Council and the Oregon Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs. He previously volunteered with Immigration Counseling Services, Business for a Better Portland and as Co-Chair of PCC School of Business and Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee.
Mayor Beach Pace – City of Hillsboro
On January 7, 2025, Beach Pace became the 51st Mayor of Hillsboro. She is the second female Mayor and first LGBTQAI+ Mayor for Hillsboro.
Mayor Pace was first elected to serve on the Hillsboro City Council in November 2018 and re-elected in November 2022. She also served as the Transportation Committee Chair during her time as Councilor. Prior to joining the Council, Mayor Pace served on the City’s Planning Commission and participated in the Hillsboro Civic Leadership Academy.
Mayor Pace holds a B.S. from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MPA from Northern Michigan University. She served in the US Army Bomb Squad, both domestically and overseas.
Her corporate experience comes from the pharmaceutical industry where she worked in sales and marketing for 9+ years. She was a regional manager and led a highly successful team covering the Pacific Northwest.
Mayor Pace has been in the social change/non-profit sector for 17+ years, all in service to youth and families. She currently serves as the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Portland.
Mayor Pace and her wife Jincy have two adult children and their rescue dog Jack. In her free time, she enjoys walking and hiking.
Regional Economic Update Speakers
Matt Craigie – ECOnorthwest | Project Director
Matt has almost two decades of experience in economic development, strategic planning, and market analysis. Matt previously worked at ECO, leaving in 2021 to start Washington County (Oregon)’s first Economic Development Program. At the County, Matt built the Program from scratch, growing the County’s ability to promote economic development for local communities. In this role, Matt and his team managed millions in COVID-era economic relief funds, created new economic development and workforce advancement services, and led a strategic assessment of Broadband access and affordability countywide.
Matt recently rejoined ECOnorthwest where, as a Project Director, he leverages his diverse background in both public and private sectors to deliver actionable strategies and useful analyses for clients. Matt’s work is distinguished by his ability to coordinate comprehensive analytical efforts, facilitate meaningful stakeholder engagements, and keep projects focused on real-world outcomes. A versatile leader, he is driven by a commitment to fostering new and dynamic economic opportunities for local communities across the country.
Mike Wilkerson, Ph.D. – ECOnorthwest | Partner and Senior Economist
Dr. Michael Wilkerson is a Partner and the Director of Analytics at ECOnorthwest. He brings over 15 years of private-sector experience as an economic consultant and as an analyst in the financial services industry. Mike studies urban economics for both public and private sector clients—with a focus on land use, transportation, and real estate development and how they interact with the regional economy. Using a data-driven approach that focuses on spatial analysis, he conducts housing market analyses, development feasibility studies, TOD implementation studies and master plans, economic impact analyses, and provides expert testimony.
He regularly presents at national conferences on topics related to real estate economics, including the American Planning Association, the National Multifamily Housing Council, and the Urban Land Institute. Mike is currently an adjunct professor in the Master of Real Estate Development program at Portland State University.
Building a Strong Regional Economy Panelists
Lorne Bulling – Ironworkers Local 29 | Political Director
Michael Fiore – Fought Steel & REFA Steel Erectors | President
Michael serves as the President of Fought & Co., and REFA Erection Inc., both part of the Shoestring Valley Holding portfolio of companies. He brings over a decade of experience in the steel industry and a strong foundation in consulting, management, and operational leadership.
Ten years ago, Michael relocated to the West Coast to spearhead the turnaround of Oregon Feralloy Partners. This position marked his first exposure to steel. Following this role Michael made the move to Farwest’s Vancouver facility taking the role of General Manager. He later went on to co-found two successful companies here in the Pacific Northwest.
Michael excels at managing capital to build teams and fostering environments where individuals grow and thrive. He firmly believes in the intersection of health, wellness, and finance as a foundation for building strong communities and bolstering the regional steel economy.
Today, Michael is driving innovations and growth for Fought & Co. and REFA Erection Inc. Known for values-driven leadership, he prioritizes continuous improvement and collective success. Beyond professional pursuits, Michael is passionate about people and their development and founded a professional development group focused on providing a platform for individuals at all levels to collaborate on solutions.
Greg Johnson – Interstate Bridge Replacement Program | Program Administrator
Gregory “Greg” C. Johnson is the program administrator for the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) program. Since taking this role in 2020, Greg has jointly represented both the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to lead the bi-state IBR program in replacing the aging Interstate Bridge across the Columbia River.
Greg is a licensed professional engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan and a Masters of Public Administration from Western Michigan University. Most recently, he served as a Senior Vice President at WSP USA, one of the nation’s largest engineering firms, as the National Director for Construction Management & Services in Michigan. Prior to working in the private sector, he served as the State Highway Administrator for the Maryland Department of Transportation, and as the Deputy Director for the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Creating an Aspirational Economy Panelists
Gabriela Frask – Mackenzie | Associate Principal
Gabriela is an Associate Principal at Mackenzie and serves as the head of the land use planning department and Mackenzie’s corporate leadership team. She plays a key role in Mackenzie’s projects from a land use perspective and serves public agencies throughout the regional level in employment land development and master planning. She brings extensive knowledge of local and regional development codes and regulations within the Portland-Metro area, and has provided current and long range planning services for the majority of the firm’s industrial lands projects, working with public and private clients. She specializes in industrial site readiness issues, land supply, and economic development.
Gabriela has worked at Mackenzie for nearly 15 years. Prior to that, she worked at Metro and also served as a policy coordinator for a local non profit. She is a graduate of Michigan State University with degrees in history and geography with a focus on urban planning and global urban studies.
Outside of work, you can find Gabriela watching college sports, playing fantasy football, visiting wineries in the valley, and traveling, but mostly she enjoys hanging out with her husband and two kids at local parks, rain or shine.
Jerry Johnson – Johnson Economics | Principal
As a Principal with Johnson Economics, Jerry Johnson is involved in research design, economic and financial modeling, and market analysis. He has consulted on the economics of land use planning and real estate for 28 years and is recognized as a top expert in land use economics. Jerry formerly served as a member of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors for the State of Oregon and is an adjunct professor at Portland State University’s Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) program, additionally serving as the editor for the Center for Real Estate’s Quarterly journal. Jerry has managed over 600 projects, working with various private and public sector clients.
Jerry’s consulting experience includes an expansive range of real estate development and economic matters. He is an expert at the identification and quantification of redevelopment opportunities, including pro forma-based predictive development and redevelopment models. Jerry’s primary areas of emphasis are real estate financial analysis, dynamic urban modeling, economic growth, and public policy.
Jerry holds a Master of Science degree in urban planning with a specialization in economic development from Portland State University, as well as undergraduate degrees in architectural design and economics.
Keith Leavitt – Confluence Strategies | Founder
Keith Leavitt is a 30-year economic development leader in Oregon with extensive experience in ports, industrial development, maritime commerce, and commercial strategy. He has a proven track record of leveraging public and private investments to drive transformative projects across the state. Keith’s career began with roles in the Oregon Legislature, Economic Development Department, and Governor’s Office before spending 25 years at the Port of Portland, including over 10 years as Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Trade and Economic Development Officer.
He also served an 8-year term on the Oregon Business Development Commission and is a proud member of the Oregon State University Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Keith has played leadership roles in major initiatives such as:
- Columbia River Channel Deepening
- Expanding international container shipping
- Creating Greater Portland Inc.
- Developing nearly 1,000 acres in Gresham and Troutdale for industrial use, creating thousands of jobs
- Securing Daimler Trucks North America’s headquarters at Swan Island, Portland
- Partnering to develop the 120-acre Cascade Station mixed-use project at PDX
- Leading industrial lands efforts for the Oregon Semiconductor Task Force, resulting in passage of landmark legislation
Interviewers, Emcees, and Moderators
Johnell Bell – Espousal Strategies | Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Johnell Bell is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Espousal Strategies LLC, a government, community, and public affairs firm. Through his extensive work in the office of U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and his tenure helping lead public entities, he has developed a reputation as a thoughtful, creative strategist and balanced, passionate leader who understands the needs of diverse stakeholders. Johnell is also the Principal Equity Officer for the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) program.
Prior to founding Espousal Strategies, Johnell served as State Field Director for Senator Merkley where he led the senator’s forward-facing outreach and state field operations. Johnell also served as Director of Diversity and Transit Equity for TriMet where he was the agency’s Chief Diversity Officer overseeing small business, equity, and civil rights. His efforts received national recognition, and he helped to set Oregon’s record of awarding over $150 million to DBE firms during the construction of the Orange line. Johnell also served as an advisor to Portland Mayor Tom Potter and Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler. In those roles, Johnell created an economic development office and co-created an office of diversity and inclusion.
A sought-after speaker on public engagement, business development, and equity, Johnell has presented and served on panels for organizations including COMTO and MPACT. He is a member of the National Small Business Leadership Council as well as a COMTO National Board Member and Chair of the COMTO HUB Committee.
Tom Rinehart – Rinehart Strategies | Founder and CEO
Tom Rinehart is the founder and owner of Rinehart Strategies, a consulting firm supporting private sector companies, government agencies and non-profit organizations, With 25 years of leadership experience, Tom has worked at the highest levels of the public sector and launched two successful companies. At the core of Rinehart Strategies’ work is creating and sustaining healthy, purpose-driven organizations.
Tom was raised in a family committed to social justice. He brings these values to the work and prioritizes long-term relationships. As a result, no client is ever truly a former client.
Tom’s work is unique because he has deep leadership experience in each of the professional sectors: non-profit, government and business. With these different lenses, he can make connections and help you solve problems.
Tom holds a BA in Government and International Studies from the University of Notre Dame and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Portland. He and his wife, Dr. Christi Hancock, are proud parents of three children and live in Northeast Portland.
Elizabeth Mazzara Myers – Westside Economic Alliance | Executive Director
As Executive Director of Westside Economic Alliance, Elizabeth leads WEA in its strategic direction, membership, programming, and advocacy work. She is the organization’s primary spokesperson.
Elizabeth has more than 15 years of policy and political experience in Oregon, including her role as Chief of Staff to elected officials in both Multnomah and Washington counties. She attended Washington State University for her Master’s and doctoral studies and Oregon State University and Gonzaga University for her undergraduate work.
Elizabeth currently serves on the Statewide Tolling Rulemaking Advisory Committee, Intel’s Community Advisory Panel, Metro’s Freight and Commodities Study Stakeholder Advisory Committee, and the City of Portland’s Government Transition Committee. She is a former board member of the Raphael House of Portland and Pro-Choice Oregon.
In her spare time Elizabeth loves to travel and to cook and spends time in her garden or on walks with her husband and their two adorable dogs.