Chehalem Valley Innovation Accelerator Advisory Board
Carr Biggerstaff – Chief Wrangler
It takes a Renaissance strategy-technology-marketing-operations-winemaker type to wrangle the resources & people responsible for the 
Chehalem Valley Innovation Accelerator at this moment of such dynamic change in Oregon.
Carr has extensive experience in companies of all sizes & stages – public & private – from start-ups and IPOs, to turnarounds. He has held a variety of executive positions in sales & marketing, business development & investment, and information technology – in industries ranging from agribusiness to hi-tech manufacturing, music downloads to cybersecurity. When not chasing technology, Carr makes wine – and after a decade in the local wine industry, he’s found his niche as a vermouth maker.
(Carr’s LinkedIn Profile)
Alvin Elbert
Alvin’s motto might be something like “never quit, just fix the process.” Alvin’s first job in manufacturing was a bust 
because he didn’t have the skills to succeed. So, he started his own company (A.R.E. Manufacturing) and created the training programs and processes necessary to make sure his employees are the best at advanced manufacturing – an OMEP award-winning training program. Providing manufacturing internships for youth for over 30 years, Alvin determined that the best way to have great employees is to hire newbies and invest in them. When not leading A.R.E or trying to play golf, Alvin enjoys mountaineering, his family, and helping youth however he can.
Bob Harder
As a creator, Bob has a vision equal to none other. We refer to him as the “knowledge enterprise architect.” In 1988, he started the Engineering program at George Fox University and has turned it into a powerhouse that includes mechanical, civil, electrical, and 
computer engineering, computer science, and mathematics and applied science. What makes Dean Harder great is his tireless efforts to broker partnerships between industry and students, creating teams that solve problems ranging from severe burn treatment to high-tech applications for agriculture. Businesses of all sizes benefit from the leverage that the GFU students provide and the students graduate with sophisticated industry experience.
Bob’s research interests are broad and range from combustion, energy systems and biomedical devices, to tribology and agricultural technologies – but only when you can tear him away from his desire to create success. His latest idea just opened: a 16,000 sq ft maker-space on the George Fox campus. His plan is to make it easier for everyone to invent, make and create.
(Bob’s LinkedIn Profile)
Julie Marshall – Advisory Board Chair
Tenacious and formidable, Julie is a driving force behind the Accelerator and the Chair of our leadership team. A native of Chehalem Valley, Julie’s passion is to better the community and the Accelerator is her latest project.
Fresh out of the University of Oregon, Julie helped establish a genetics laboratory at the Oregon Graduate Institute. And, knowing how important it is to raise community, she took time off to raise her children before returning to the workforce at A-dec, the largest dental equipment manufacturer in the nation. Scientist-turned marketing professional, Julie focuses on brand strategy, market research, end-user product development, and salesforce training – publishing journal articles, technical documents and catalogs, case studies, and other research. Like the at-home-mom/scientist/marketing guru that she is, no challenge is more fun for her than bringing up the Accelerator.
(Julie’s LinkedIn Profile)