Guest Speakers

Guest Speakers

Opportunity Knocks connects teams with guest speakers, experts in their fields, who are available to visit OK Team Meetings to give presentations, lead a discussion or a Q & A session with the OK team.

To set up a guest to visit your team, contact your facilitator or Michele (michele@opp-knocks.org) 

This list will be updated continuously – If you don’t see an area of expertise you’d like to learn about, let us know and we’ll find someone to meet your need!  

 


 

Michelle Alvarado

Expertise: At Wahoo Films, we believe great stories can lead people to take action. To accomplish this, we focus on creating engaging videos that tap into the hearts and minds of your audience.  In this presentation, we will explore finding your organizations story achetype.  We will also share ways to distribute that story to your target audience.

Bio: A quality video allows you to effortlessly reach people in ways that no other media can, more compelling, more immersive, and more experiential. Our films take a viewer on a journey, one that educates and inspires. Wahoo Films is a visual storytelling company, blending documentary style stories with cinematic techniques. We believe that the most powerful and memorable videos are rooted in delivering a clear and captivating story.  Wahoo Films works with you to determine the right distribution strategy and we are always looking for unique ways to reach your audience. Having a video is most effective if it is distributed through the right channels, whether through your own website, social media, film festival or somewhere unexpected. We are committed to making every effort to produce and deliver a successful media campaign for our clients.

OK Affiliation:  Team 22 Member

 


 

Brenda Bartlett

Expertise: Fraud and forensic accounting and auditing issues

Bio: Brenda Bartlett has served in public accounting since 1998 and is a partner at SGA. Ms. Bartlett is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Oregon. In 1998, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Oregon Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems/Accounting. She was awarded the Bronze Award for Outstanding Achievement on the November 1998 Uniform Examination for Certified Public Accounts by the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Ms. Bartlett has been involved with a variety of audit engagements including Municipal, not-for-profit, and private industry clients. Private industry audits include those in the software development industry, federally-subsidized research and development entities, computer hardware and support providers, and clients who specialize in web-site design and software maintenance and support.

OK Affiliation:  2016 Sponsor

 


Audrey Beldon

Expertise: Commercial banking;financial planning/performance

Bio: As a part of the Columbia Bank Commercial Banking Team in Bend, I focus on assisting local businesses achieve their financial goals. I have been in commercial banking since 2013. Prior to that, I spent 10 years in finance with DIRECTV. I hold my masters in Accounting and have my Certified Management Accountant designation.

OK Affiliation:  Former facilitator

 


 


Preston Callicott

Expertise: Tech Startup-focused general business

Bio: Preston’s early career was spent in sales, marketing, business development and management for Hewlett Packard, Advanced Micro Devices, and Price Waterhouse Management Consulting Services. After that, he made the transition to Silicon Valley startups in such roles as business development, product development and information technology. Today Preston is the CEO of Five Talent Software, a Bend-based company focused on custom websites, mobile apps and custom enterprise application development.

OK Affiliation:  Team 15 Member, Team 29 Facilitator, Member of the Board of Directors

 


Peter Christoff

Expertise: Business formation, business sales and purchases, business succession planning

Bio: Pete is an Attorney at Merrill O’Sullivan, LLP.  Pete is passionate about helping his clients resolve issues and achieve their goals in an efficient and cost-effective manner. He is service-minded, responsive, detail-oriented, and thorough in his approach to problem solving and planning. To this end, Pete strives to equip his clients with an understanding of the laws, regulations, and/or contractual language affecting their situation so that they are able to make informed decisions about how to achieve their desired result. When engaging in negotiations, Pete diligently advocates for his clients in a professional and thoughtful manner, always mindful of his clients’ desired outcome.

OK Affiliation:  Team 27 Member

 


Blake Denman

Expertise: Local Search Engine Optimization, social media marketing, website design, referral marketing. Our specialty is local SEO, which also encompasses a bit of social media, email marketing, and content marketing.

Bio:  Blake is the CEO of Rickety Roo, Inc.  RicketyRoo works with small to medium sized businesses to get them better visibility online. Services include local SEO, social media marketing, pay per click advertising, inbound marketing, and website design.

OK Affiliation:  Team 27 Member

 


Dan Duggan

Expertise: Leadership, company culture, strategic planning

Bio: Dan Duggan is a consultant with Lion Heart Consulting, Inc. He is an inspirational leader, teacher, and coach with over 20-year’s experience as a successful business executive. He possesses the invaluable ability to quickly assess where an organization’s creative energy flows and where it is blocked. Once the areas of focus are identified, Dan’s insight and sincerity create a safe environment in which people discover their innate courage and they begin to accomplish what they never thought possible. Through deep caring, humor and strong coaching, he helps leaders to open to the joy in their work and invite forth the creative energy already existing in their organizations.

OK Affiliation: OK 20 Facilitator


Rob Fincham

Expertise: Retirement and succession planning; tax planning; employee benefits planning, estate planning; risk management; business transition from generation to generation or owner to employees; buy/sell planning

Bio: Rob is the owner of Fincham Financial Group. He is a licensed agent of New York Life Insurance Company, a Registered Representative of NYLIFE Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Licensed Insurance Agency and a Financial Adviser offering investment advisory services through Eagle Strategies LLC.

OK Affiliation: Team 22 Member, 2016 Sponsor

 


 

 


ShanRae Hawkins

Expertise: Marketing, public relations, advertising, marketing strategy, event planning, online advertising

Bio: ShanRae is the agency principal of Stingray Communications, a strategic marketing and public relations firm, based in Bend, Oregon. She has been providing strategic marketing and sales leadership to organizations for the past sixteen years, including launching two of Central Oregon’s signature developments: the Old Mill District/Les Schwab Amphitheater and Caldera Springs in Sunriver. Before launching Stingray Communications, ShanRae was Director of Marketing for the Old Mill District, Director of Marketing and Leisure Sales for Sunriver Resort, and Account Supervisor for DVA Advertising and Public Relations. Prior to moving to Central Oregon fourteen years ago, ShanRae traveled the world working for New Holland Credit Company and the Foreign Agriculture Service.

OK Affiliation: Team 14 Member

 


Coby Horton

Expertise: Banking

Bio: Coby Horton is US Bank’s Regional President for Central and Eastern Oregon. In this position, Coby oversees commercial/small business banking, private banking, and U.S. Bank’s 23 branches throughout the Central & Eastern Oregon region’s 47,000 square miles. The region employs approximately 200 individuals who collectively manage approximately $1.2 billion in deposits and $500 Million in both consumer and business loans. Coby graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from California State University in Fresno. He is also a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School operating out of the University of Washington. Coby works at U.S. Bank’s office, located at 550 NW Franklin Ave. in downtown Bend.

OK Affiliation:  2016 Title Sponsor

 


 

 


 

Scott Lauray

Expertise: Accounting, Business consulting, business transfers, strategic planning, cash flow management, tax strategy, financial reporting.

Bio: Scott is a member of International Managerial Accountants, International Business Brokers Association and is currently a Certified Managerial Accountant candidate. He has experience in domestic, international, public and private companies in the manufacturing, medical, tech, retail, education, service and nonprofit sectors. At ProCFO, Scott serves in CFO roles, accounting, business acquisitions and consulting. He has also founded, been on boards of directors, invested in and been an advisor of a number of companies.

OK Affiliation:  Friend of OK

 


Eric Meade

Expertise: Long range business planning. I have a presentation and a very effective process for companies to follow that help them identify their: True North (their guiding trajectory that keeps them aligned given multiple opportunities thrown in their lap)/ Defining the passion statement and the WHY for the company / Development of core values / Development of clear marketing uniques / Establishing 3-year goals / Establishing 1-year goals / Development of plan to engage the team and implement the plans effectively

Bio: Eric Meade joined Entre Prises Climbing Walls in 1994 and led it through its largest growth period in history, before a successful exit in 2008. Since then, he worked as the Membership Director for Opportunity Knocks, was an investor in two Bend Venture Conferences, co-founded Bend Outdoor Worx and opened his own consulting business-Eric Meade Consulting. His passion is to support and develop leaders of businesses to establish clear strategies, financial planning, implementation planning, and a sustainable profitability model.

OK Affiliation:  Team 28 Facilitator

 


Rod Ray

Expertise: Leadership, strategic planning, change management, operational excellence

Bio: Dr. Ray is a member of Capsugel and Bend Research’s Scientific and Business Advisory Board.  He has worked at Bend Research since 1983.  During his time there, Dr. Ray has held numerous positions specializing in the development and commercialization of a wide range of products.  He has been instrumental in directing the management of large-scale programs to advance pharmaceutical compounds through the development process to commercialization, serving as the primary management contact for client companies.  In addition to his expertise in advancing pharmaceutical processes and products, Dr. Ray has extensive experience in commercializing diverse products for the electronics, energy, medical, agricultural, and space industries.

Dr. Ray holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Oregon State University and a master’s degree and doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Colorado – Boulder.  He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Colorado and Oregon.  Dr. Ray holds 21 U.S. patents and has 41 scientific publications.

 


Derri Sanberg

Expertise: Medical business management

Bio: Derri Sandberg has worked in the eye care industry since 2000, and in Central Oregon since 2007. Prior to living in Bend, Derri lived and grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. She is an eye care provider and owner of Lifetime Vision Care and joined OK 24 team in 2013.

OK Affiliation:  Team 22 Member

 


Jim Schell

Expertise: Entrepreneurship, Start-ups, Small business development, strategic planning, nonprofits, leadership, team facilitation, business writing, fundraising

Bio: Jim started four businesses in Minneapolis, the fourth one growing to 200 employees. He is the author of six books on small business including Small Business for Dummies, one of the nation’s top sellers in its category. He has founded four nonprofits in Bend, including TEDxBend and Opportunity Knocks, and has also completed three nonprofit turnarounds. Jim is currently Board Chair of Humm Kombucha, Boys & Girls Club and Opportunity Knocks and has facilitated hundreds of OK team meetings since OK’s 1996 founding.

OK Affiliation: Founder and Board Chair, Team 15 Facilitator

 


Jack Schniepp

Expertise: An area which many are increasingly interested is Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). This has become a main focus of my practice. I currently write a blog (SRIBend.com) on SRI related topics and am the only Central OR member of the US Sustainable Investment Forum (US/SIF). SRI opportunities and growth have skyrocketed in the past few years allowing all investors the opportunity to align their values with their portfolios – without having to sacrifice returns.

Also, as a Certified Financial Planner, I am able to provide input regarding planning strategies that benefit individuals, business owners and company bottom lines. Many of these strategies are not widely known or utilized and can have a significant impact on tax savings, alternative retirement savings plans, cash management, and asset protection planning.

Bio: After 12 years as a college baseball coach and teacher in Southern CA, I began my career in the financial services industry here in Bend in 2002. After 7 years with Morgan Stanley, I moved to Wells Fargo Advisors. In early 2013 I founded Cascade Financial Strategies is an independent Financial Planning and Investment firm. Shortly after this transition I began researching and implementing Socially Responsible Investments (SRI) for individuals, families, small businesses, and foundations interested in aligning their values with their portfolios.

OK Affiliation: Team 19 Member

 


 

Niki Singlaub

Expertise: Product Design & Development, Product Line Management, Overseas Manufacturing, Crowdfunding

Bio: Niki is the Founder at HYDAWAY™ – HydawayBottle.com.  More than an inventor, Niki Singlaub is a ‘product guy’ and lives for designing, developing, building, and launching new products into the world. Niki came up with the Hydaway concept while traveling as a freelance product developer.  Niki’s expertise stems from almost twenty years in design, development, and management of consumer products in multiple industries. His background in engineering and business has prepared him to problem solve at all stages of the product launch process. On most days you can find Niki in and around the high desert of Bend, Oregon testing gear, brainstorming ideas, and taking his family beyond their comfort level.

OK Affiliation: Team 12 Member

 


Brian Stallcop

Expertise: Presentation on the book Profit First by Mike Mikalowicz. Brian helps business owners pay closer attention to the “P-word” using the principles of Profit First.

Bio: Brian Stallcop is the founder of Sherpa Wealth Strategies, an independent financial planning and investment advisory firm in Bend. He’s been helping clients align their financial choices with their most important goals and their most deeply held values since 2001. Prior to that, Brian was a journalist for 21 years, working in leadership positions for several newspapers around the country.

OK Affiliation: Team 12 Member

 


Guy Vernon

Expertise: Real estate investment; exit strategy; small business planning and development

Bio: Guy Vernon is an advisor at Vernon Property Management and the owner of Vernon Construction. He has been in business for over 30 years and is a longtime member of Opportunity Knocks.

OK Affiliation:  Team 12 Member, Facilitator

 


Peter Wheary 

Expertise: Strategic IT planning, Managing remote employees, Developing a small company’s first level of management

Bio: Peter Wheary is the president of GreenLoop IT Solutions, an IT Managed Services company focused on bringing top notch, affordable computer network services and trusted technology planning to small and medium sized businesses in Oregon and Arizona.

OK Affiliation:  Team 29 Member 

 


 

Amber Yates

Expertise: Tax, accounting and financial consulting for closely held businesses, succession and estate planning

Bio: Ms. Yates has significant experience in tax, accounting and financial consulting for closely held businesses. She consults business owners and their families in business succession and estate planning matters. As a part of this work, she assists professionals and business owners in developing strategies to finance and capitalize their companies and develop purchase or sale strategies. She has also been called to provide expert testimony in areas of business accounting. In addition to her work in public accounting, Ms. Yates has worked within businesses both as an accountant and as a financial officer. This experience provides her a deeper understanding of closely-held businesses and their needs.

OK Affiliation:  Team 29 Facilitator

Email: ayates@sgabend.com

Phone: (541) 388-7888

Brian Fratzke

Expertise: Commercial broker and a business owner who started a firm ground up in 2007, and a citizen of Bend since 2001.

Information on the state of the market specific to industrial and Office lease rates including lease negotiations, lease renewals, and recommendations for how to protect ourselves as business owners. Data for owner/user ownership of buildings and predictions for all of Central Oregon in light of our economy, interest rates and the cost of construction.

OK Affiliation: Past OK Member

Email: brian@fratcommercial.com

Main: 541-306-4948 Cell: 541-480-2526