Feature: KELLY (LOVE) PARKER
GVCC selects new president and CEO
The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced that Kelly (Love) Parker has accepted the position of new GVCC president & CEO.
She replaces Kim Capeloto, recently hired by Riverview Community Bank as executive VP of marketing and operations.
Parker said she is honored by the opportunity to lead the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce in providing a strong and proactive voice for our businesses and our community.
A Vancouver resident since 1991, Parker has served as district director for 3rd Congressional District Rep. Brian Baird since 2005, handling the congressional operations in the Vancouver and Olympia district offices.
Prior to Parker's congressional service, she worked at KGW TV in Portland for twelve years as an anchor and reporter.
The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce has served the Southwest Washington business community since 1890. The chamber is an alliance of member businesses, individuals and organizations who join together to support business.
ALISTAIRE CLARY
Maul Foster & Alongi Inc. (MFA) announced that Alistaire Clary was named the Southwest Washington operations manager as part of the company's recent strategic reorganization. Clary also serves on MFA's seven-person board of directors and was recently accepted into the prestigious Leadership Clark County (LCC) Program.
Clary has been with MFA for almost 14 years, working as a licensed civil and environmental engineer. She has a bachelor of science in engineering from Washington State University and is licensed in both Washington and Oregon.
FRANCISCO OLIVAS & ROBERT VALDEZ
Francisco Olivas and Robert Valdez, owners of the construction, engineering and inspection company Olivas Valdez Inc., of La Center, were announced as the Minority Small Business Persons of the Year for 2010. The award will be presented at the Business Diversity Institute (BDI) Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week awards luncheon on October 6 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.
Held annually since 1983, MED Week recognizes minority businesses' contributions to the nation's economy. In this year's proclamation, President Obama urged all Americans to join together in honoring minority entrepreneurs across the country in appropriate observances.
Olivas Valdez Inc. has maintained a steady growth rate since the company was first established in 2000.
DIANE DEMPCY
Diane Dempcy recently joined the Columbia River Economic Development Council as manager of investor relations. Dempcy will provide direct customer service to council investors, identify and cultivate prospective new investors to the council, prepare marketing and recruitment material and manage the council's events.
Previously, Dempcy worked for HomeAid, a national nonprofit that builds multi-unit housing for America's temporarily homeless families and individuals, based out of Newport Beach, California.
Dempcy is a Northwest native, born and raised in Seattle. She graduated from The Evergreen State College. She has lived in Vancouver
