Chehalem Valley Innovation Accelerator Advisory Board
Erik Andersson
Erik is like Thor, charged with energy. He is a graduate from the ag college in the U.S., Cornell, with an economics degree, and holds an MBA from the “Duke U. of Canada,” McGill University. 
Erik has 30+ years of experience in economic development. He worked for public utilities in the Pacific NW building economic capacity in their service areas, was a regional coordinator for Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s Economic Revitalization Team, a Business Development Officer with Business Oregon, a board member for SEDCOR, president of the Oregon Economic Development Association, a chair of the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority, and a board member of both Restore Oregon and Rural Development Initiatives. Boom! Mic-drop. As the “Thor” of SEDCOR, Erik uses his boundless energy to vitalize the Mid-Willamette Valley region.
(Erik’s LinkedIn Profile)
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.
Alvin Elbert
Alvin is an award-winning manufacturing guru who would make Ed Deming proud. 
He is THE continuous improvement leader, problem-solver, youth career champion. Alvin’s also a big guy with a big smile who has a big-heart. From day one, Alvin built his business with the belief that it is the person you hire, not only the skill. Skill’s can be taught. Great people hired. So Alvin created an in-house training system to help his employees excel, recognized by the state of Oregon. Most importantly, Alvin’s seen/learned a lot in the Maker world. A LOT. You have a problem, he’ll find a solution. Design, materials, fabrication, whatever. Alvin’s been-there, done-that, can’t forget it, and is happy to share.
Deb Evans
When Deb Evans determined that the guy who owned the ice-cream truck was going to take 3/4’s of the proceeds, leaving her with the rest after spending all day selling ice cream, Deb fixed the problem. She turned the family van into to her own ice cream truck. In the process, she found out how cool it was to print the stick-on signs she needed for the van. And that led her into the printing business. A true entrepreneur at heart, Deb owns her own print shop now. And she is passing on her knowledge and experience to new generations of entrepreneurs.
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)
Malee Ojua
What do you get when you combine a rocket scientist (really!) with shamanism, and a passion for people and connecting them? 
The extraordinary Malee. With a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from MIT, she joined the workforce and discovered her true passion – using her remarkable people skills, and her stellar engineering talents, to foster collaboration within engineering teams, improving communications and success rates. Relationships matter, especially for engineers. Once Malee discovered her first passion as a connector, she walked the shaman’s path to develop her ability to connect with people in physical, emotional, and spiritual realms. Combine critical thinking and analysis with intuition and a passion for healing and helping people – with a drive to build relationships – and you have the “rocket scientist” who can help you build your business and live your higher purpose.
(Malee’s LinkedIn Profile)
Scott Parker
Scott is the Executive Director of the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce, but his real title is Director of Fun. 
He figured out years ago that humor and authenticity are powerful tools for leadership. Scott took charge of the chamber at the worst time, the tail-end of COVID. Main street businesses were down and out. The community was depressed. Then came the Director of Fun to the rescue. Scott rallied the troops around talent shows, greeters events, and other activities, bringing his infectious humor, wit, and – wait for it – juggling skills to the fore. Fast forward and Scott now takes the lead in regional economic development, all the while ensuring a good time for all. (Scott’s LinkedIn Profile)
Scot Siegel
Scot is known for leading high-performing organizations and teams focusing on exceptional customer service. He is currently 
the City of Newberg’s Community Development Director. Scot’s prior roles include founder and president of a consulting firm providing planning and development services to clients in six western states, which sold in 2020, community development director for local governments, project manager, educator, and planner. Scot also co-founded an after-school learning center in 2003 that serves over 200 students weekly in grades K-12. In his free time Scot loves to fish, ski, cook, rockhound, and write. He is an award-winning poet, as well, with seven books published as of 2025.
(Scot’s LinkedIn Profile)