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Molly Morris - McKenzie Mist |
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Bill Klupenger - LCC Small Business Development
Bill Klupenger, M.B.A., Lane Community College faculty, has been the Small Business Management Program Instructor/Coordinator since 1991. Bill has over 20 years of business and financial experience, working in large and small businesses. He owned a wholesale/retail ice cream business here in Eugene for 12 years (Sweet Surrender), and was a division Controller for Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco before that.
On a personal note, Bill grew up and worked in his family businesses from a farm in Washington State, to a grocery store in Monroe, OR. He was in a Catholic Seminary for 8 years, was a Neuropsychiatric Specialist in the Army medical Corps, taught English in China for 2 years, and was avid wine maker while living in and around San Francisco for 12 years, and now enjoys cruising the back roads of the Pacific N.W. on his Beemer motorcycle. Married, 2 grown daughters that live here in Eugene. |
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Jason Jafferty - Eugene Freezing and Storage
Jason joined the family business in 2001. His grandfather, Paul founded the company in 1957. He is proud to be following in the footsteps of the Lafferty’s before him. Jason earned a degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Kenyon College (Ohio) in 1997. After graduating, Jason was headed home when he stopped to stretch his legs in Colorado. He stayed in Vail, CO until 2001 working as a ski racing coach and as the mountain events manager. Upon returning home he joined the family business. His most enjoyable business contacts have been rooted in the Natural Foods sector. These relationships, coupled with his background in environmental studies are what generated his interest in the WVSFA. He is looking forward to cooperatively addressing challenges that are common to the membership. Jason can be reached at jasonlafferty@eugenefreezing.com. |
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Nancy Hamren - Springfield Creamery |
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Justus Grose - Cafe Mam
Justus Grose grew up in Austin Texas.He has had a progressive life style sense childhood. His parents were involved in the equal rights movement. His dad taught college at a "Black" college and was involved in the church associated with the college. That`s were he got his gospel roots. His mother was out spoken about her own rights as a woman and gave Justus his start in cooking. Which if you`ve ever eaten any of his cooking you`d thank her. Justus` first long term job was cooking at the Magnolia Cafe, an alternitive cafe in Austin. To this day his recipes are still a mainstay at the cafe. He first came to Eugene to play music at the Country Fair and moved to Eugene a year later. He got his start working for Cafe Mam in their blueberry fields and was the first non-family member to work in the coffee business. Eleven years later he works fulltime running the "Justus Dept" of packing and shipping at Cafe Mam. Justus is trained in NVC and is involved in AA. You can find him packing boxes, answering phones, or crooning at 4000 E 22nd or at the E 40th Ave co-housing community which he is an original onwer and member. |
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Doug Furlong - Oregon Ice Cream
Doug Furlong is currently the Technical Services Director for Oregon Ice Cream, home of Julie’s Organic Ice Cream. He has had a twenty year career as a food scientist, developing and marketing products which have risen to national prominence in the natural foods marketplace. Career highlights include opening Mexican restaurants in Tokyo and introducing soy-based frozen desserts to Europe. A Eugene resident since 1976, Doug has deep roots in the local community. In his spare time he writes and records music, kayaks and operates a freelance consulting business primarily working with local businesses to provide technical expertise and support. He can be reached at dfurlong@oregonicecream.com. |
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Brad Averill - Wildtime Foods
Brad purchased Wildtime Foods from its founder in 2002. For 20 years prior to purchasing Wildtime Foods, he worked in the computer industry, the last 11 years in sales for Hewlett-Packard. His roots, however, are in the natural foods movement. In 1970, he helped found a natural foods co-op in Kent, Ohio. The Co-op still exists as the Kent Natural Foods Co-op. He holds degrees in Botany and Aquatic Ecology. He is strongly committed to the Willamette Valley Sustainable Foods Alliance as a way for businesses to network, share best practices and create synergy to tackle problems too big for many small businesses to tackle on their own. Brad lives in Eugene with his wife and four dogs. Brad can be reached at brad@wildtime.com. |
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Jeff Athouse - Willamette Brewery
Jeff Althouse spent six years in public education before co-founding Willamette Brewery with his brother Chris Althouse. Having taught mathematics to students in grades two through twelve, Jeff is now applying his mathematics knowledge and educational experience to the task of operating a small, sustainable brewing company. Willamette Brewery began operations in October 2006 brewing artisan ales in small batches. |
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Member Spotlight |
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