Q&A with Outgoing OBI Board Chair Lori Olund

March 5, 2026

Later this month, Lori Olund will conclude her two-year term chair of the OBI board of directors. She will be succeeded by Justin Delaney (stay tuned for his Q&A). We asked Lori to reflect on her tenure, the role of OBI, the challenges Oregon businesses face and reasons for optimism. Her answers appear below.

Lori is president of Miles Fiberglass & Composites, a family owned company that manufactures a wide range of products, from panels used in refrigerated rail cars to replica Sizzler steakhouse bull statues.

The company was founded in 1963 by Lori’s father, Lowell Miles, who developed an interest in composites when, as a student at Portland’s Benson High School, he spotted a fiberglass hull at a boat show. Lowell began to research and experiment with fiberglass, says Lori, and decided he wanted to turn it into a career.

Lowell started by making canoes and garden ponds in a small building his father allowed him to build in their back yard, eventually adding vents for air conditioning units. There were early hiccups, including a partner who took most of the company’s money (but left the canoes), says Lori. The company’s big break came in the form of a contract to make fiberglass hoods for Freightliner trucks.

Miles Fiberglass & Composites, after combining its two facilities into one location In Clackamas, now occupies an area of 93,000 square feet. In addition to rail-car panels, the company manufactures enclosures for telecommunications equipment, components for military vehicles, panels for recreational vehicles and – the biggest part of its business currently – wastewater infrastructure.

Miles Fiberglass & Components has also done some unusual jobs over the years. The company built prototype components for Aquaticar, an air-powered ride created for the Qiddiya water park under development in Saudi Arabia. It is now refurbishing a fiberglass bull statue that once stood outside a Sizzler steakhouse in Oregon – and is making a pair of replicas.

Lori became president of Miles Fiberglass & Composites in 2008, which was a particularly difficult time for the company. The recession had decimated the recreational vehicle industry that accounted for about 80% of the company’s business, says Lori. In response, the company diversified rapidly and developed a repair service focused on wind turbines. The repair service, which continues to this day, was a life-saver and now includes repairing electric buses.

Lori began to work for Miles Fiberglass & Composites as a high-schooler and spent summer breaks filing documents. She continued to work in the company in various capacities after graduating from college, including payroll, human resources, accounting and payables.

Miles Fiberglass & Composites employs about 45 people at its Clackamas facility and works with fiberglass-repair technicians stationed across the country.

Q: What’s something readers may not know about Miles Fiberglass?

A: We have made some crazy things over the last 63 years, including a spaceship for the Dark Horse Comics building, a golf cart shaped like a mouse for Bill Gates, a replica of Plymouth Rock for the Oregon City pioneer museum, an ice cream dish for the largest ice cream sundae in the Guinness Book of World Records, a molecule of penicillin for the Clackamas Community College science building.

Q: What motivated you to join the OBI board?

A: My father was a big believer in being involved and serving your time to help make your industry and business community better. He believed you can’t just sit around and complain; you must do something to make it better. So, I wanted to be involved, and OBI is the right organization to be effective in making things better for businesses in Oregon.

Q: What do you consider the most significant challenge facing businesses in Oregon?

A: The number one issue for me as a manufacturer is regulations and taxes. The two together are devastating for a small business with no end in sight. That is why being part of OBI is so important – so we can speak with one big voice.

Q: What were some of the most significant challenges OBI faced during your time as chair?

A: Measure 118 (2024) was extremely time-consuming for the staff. In addition, the rapid acceleration of harmful business bills introduced by the Legislature has kept the team fully occupied and, at times, understandably discouraged. I know the team has other important goals and priorities they would like to focus on, but the steady stream of increasingly unfriendly business legislation being pushed through has made it difficult. Addressing these bills can feel like a constant game of whack-a-mole, with new challenges emerging as quickly as others are resolved.

Q: Can you share any insights or lessons learned from your experience as OBI chair that would be valuable to new OBI members?

A: Serving as chair of the board has provided me with invaluable insight into leadership, government policy and the critical importance of active participation in the political and legislative process. Additionally, OBI has significantly expanded my professional network, allowing me to learn how other businesses address challenges and ensure that my voice — and the voice of my organization — is effectively heard.

Q: What moments or experiences stand out to you as particularly memorable during your time as chair?

A: I am incredibly proud of OBI and the staff for leading the charge to defeat Measure 118. I also valued the opportunity to participate in the Governor’s Kitchen Table initiative, even though it was short-lived. Helping welcome the Visionary Awards — my favorite event each year — was another highlight. And, in the spirit of humility, I’ll admit that I’m still working on fully mastering Robert’s Rules of Order during meetings.

Q: What, if anything, surprised you during your tenure as chair?

A: As chair, I was genuinely surprised by how hard the staff works to make the role as seamless and comfortable as possible. From thorough preparation to providing timely information and anticipating needs, they go above and beyond to ensure the job runs smoothly and effectively.

Q: What do you wish elected officials in Oregon understood about businesses?

A: Running a business has many challenges. Business leaders work hard every day to do the right thing, keep up with regulations, permits, and the new rules that are constantly put on them. Many officials may not know how much businesses give back to their communities and contribute to the broader economy. At their core, businesses most simply want the opportunity to succeed — so they can provide jobs, pay taxes and continue reinvesting in the communities they serve.

Q: What would you tell a business that was on the fence about joining OBI?

A: You may be surprised by how much you learn, how active the organization truly is, and how sought-after OBI is in representing the voice of business in Oregon. You will have a front-row seat to what’s happening, what you need to know, and who to turn to for guidance and insights on issues affecting the business community.

Q: What makes you optimistic about Oregon’s future as a place in which to run a business?

A: I believe that the more we speak up, clearly articulate our needs and actively engage in the legislative process, the more we can influence the perception of the vital role business plays in our state. Already, there is a noticeable shift in awareness about the positive impact businesses have on our communities and economy. While progress may feel incremental, with the continued efforts of Oregon Business & Industry and a unified business community speaking with one voice, meaningful change will follow.