The world economy is clearly in a perilous state.  National, regional and local levels of unemployment are all at dangerously high levels, and worldwide financial unrest is a daily headline topic.  Housing sector miseries, both for families and financial institutions, persist unabated three years after the initial collapse.   Local and regional economies cannot escape this firestorm, and the Salem area is no exception.  How does the Pacific Northwest, and Salem in particular, fit into the world and national picture?  What unique features define our situation, both in understanding the current economic crisis, and also in crafting strategies and potential solutions as we move forward?  This second of our three-program series on the economy brings two prominent people involved with the economy of Salem and the mid-Willamette valley.
 
Raymond Burstedt was appointed President of SEDCOR, the Strategic Economic Development Corporation, in 2006.  Ray brings a wealth of economic development experience, having served as Executive Director of the Bannock Development Corporation, the Pocatello Development Authority and the Industrial Development Corporation of Pocatello, Idaho. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Idaho State University and an Economic Development Certification from the University of Oklahoma. His background also includes work in business consulting, small business development, banking and the oil industry. Ray is Past President of the Idaho Economic Development Association.  He served as the Chair of the Oregon Economic Development Association’s Legislative Committee and worked on the Oregon Economic and Community Development reorganization.  He serves on the Board of Directors of the United Way, the Salem Convention and Visitors Association (Travel Salem), the Barrier Busters Committee, and the Enterprise for Education and Employment. He is a member of the Corporate Real Estate Network, the International Economic Development Council, and is part of the Oregon Team involved in recruitment of renewable energy companies and industries.
 
Jason Brandt is the newly appointed CEO of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, which has been in existence since 1884.  Jason holds a BA degree with honors in Business and Communication from Pacific Lutheran University.  He joined the staff of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce in August of 2004.  His responsibilities have included working with elected officials at the local, county, and state levels, website maintenance for the Chamber’s Public Policy Section, managing the Salem Chamber’s “Create Jobs” Political Action Committee, and organizing some of the Chamber’s annual special events and the Salem Area Young Professionals program.  In 2009, Jason was recognized as the Chamber of Commerce Staff Person of the Year by the Western Association of Chamber Executives in Las Vegas, Nevada.  He also serves on the Board of Regents for the United States Chamber of Commerce Institute program in Los Angeles. He is a member of the South Gateway Neighborhood Association, the Salem Leadership Foundation, the City of Salem Vision 2020 Committee, and is a mentor at Chapman Hill Elementary School.
 
Please join us September 23, 2011 for our Lunch with Leaders as we continue to look at the topic of the economy with the local perspective.  Lunch and program will be hosted in the Dye House at Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill.  For those not on our “continuous attendee” list, you may e-mail lunch reservations to: rsvp@salemcityclub.comor call 503-370-2808 by Wednesday noon, September 21, 2011. SCC members lunch cost is $12, all others $15.   Doors open at 11:30 AM.  The community is welcomed and encouraged to join us!   There is a $5 charge for visitors who would like coffee and a cookie.  For more information on upcoming programs, and directions to this event please go to www.salemcityclub.com.