For more information call:
Samantha Tipler, communications specialist:
samanthatipler@oregonbusinessindustry.com or 971-940-7434
SALEM – The Oregon Business & Industry Board of Directors this week named Karen Vineyard, market executive, global commercial banking for Bank of America, as the new OBI board chair.
“I am very excited to serve as the new OBI board chair,” Vineyard said. “It is an honor to lead an organization that represents businesses from all regions and all industries in our state.”
Vineyard is the third person to chair OBI, which was formed from the merger of Associated Oregon Industries and the Oregon Business Association nearly three years ago. She was preceded by Scott Parrish, A-dec CEO, who guided OBI through the transition into the new organization.
“I have worked with Karen for years and have every confidence she will be a great leader for OBI,” Parrish said of Vineyard taking over as board chair. “She is ready to raise our organization to the next level.”
Parrish noted that his mother in law, Joan Austin, who, with her husband, Ken Austin, was the founder of A-dec, was the only woman ever to serve as chair of the AOI board.
“I can’t think of a better person than Karen to follow the leadership legacy Joan created,” Parrish said, noting that a priority for Vineyard will be to expand the diversity of the OBI board, in terms of geography, business type, gender and ethnicity.
Vineyard previously served as a board member of AOI and was most recently first vice chair of the OBI board. She has an accomplished career in the banking industry, with more than 35 years of experience. Vineyard plans to reach out to all corners of Oregon during her tenure as chair.
“Through my work in commercial banking, many Oregon businesses are my clients. I hear about the challenges they face every day,” she said. “That’s why I decided to step up and serve as the OBI chair. Business needs a voice on the issues that impact us, and I am proud to be a part of that.”
The OBI board also elected Jordan Papé of the Papé Group in Eugene to succeed Vineyard as OBI’s first vice chair.