Our Team

Staff

Lisa Dawson
Executive Director

Pronouns: she/her
lisadawson@neoedd.org
541-426-3598 x1

Lisa enjoys helping small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs learn business planning concepts, focusing on their customers and the financial viability of their business. She has helped dozens of nonprofits and cities develop, fund and manage projects and facilitated meetings and strategic planning sessions. She grew up on a farm in Wallowa County and brings her love of the region to her work. She holds a B.A. in economics and has worked for NEOEDD for over 30 years. She was the founding chair of Oregon Economic Development Districts and is a member of the National Association of Development Organizations board. She has been named “Economic Development Finance Professional” by The National Development Council and “Leader in Entrepreneurialism” by the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce.

Sara Miller
Deputy Director

Pronouns: she/her
saramiller@neoedd.org
541-426-3598 x2

Sara has assisted dozens of entrepreneurs to plan, capitalize, and run small businesses, and is a skilled facilitator and grant-writer, with more than 20 years of experience providing technical assistance to non-profits and municipalities. She helped to found the Oregon Community Food Systems Network with more than 60 nonprofits collaborating in cross-sector food systems change. Sara enjoys building capacity of individuals and nonprofits. She is certified in Storytelling for Community Building. She co-owns Bunchgrass Enterprises.

New Employee Coming Soon!
Erin Donovan
Fiscal Officer

Pronouns: she/her
erindonovan@neoedd.org
541-426-3598 x3

Erin moved to Wallowa County in 1990, and after living off-grid on the Zumwalt for 8 years, moving into Enterprise and raising her children while working in family advocacy and catering/restaurant cooking, decided to take a leap into the wonderful world of numbers at NEOEDD.

Mike Ogan
Loan Officer

Pronouns: he/him
mikeogan@neoedd.org
541-519-7699

Mike Ogan has been in the banking and finance industry for more than thirty years, and is an experienced commercial and agricultural lender. He is based out of Baker County, where he has lived for most of his life, is active in youth sports and community events, and has a passion for economic growth in the region.

Board

Anyone interested in volunteering to serve on the NEOEDD is welcome to contact lisadawson@neoedd.org

  • John Hillock, Board Chair –  John is a Wallowa County Commissioner
  • Jennifer Piper, First Vice Chair- Jennifer is the Executive Director of the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce
  • Shane Alderson, Second Vice Chair – Shane is the Chair of the Baker County Commission
  • Lea Hoover, Secretary – Lea is the Director of Member and Strategic Services at Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative
  • Matt Scarfo, Treasurer – Matt is a Union County Commissioner
  • Timothy Bishop, Executive Committee – Timothy is the Economic Development Director for the City of La Grande
  • Michelle Kaseberg – Michelle is a Baker County Commissioner
  • Barry Murphy – Barry is the City Manager of Baker City
  • David Comfort – David is the mayor of Island City
  • Jake Seavert – Jake is a Union County Commissioner
  • Suzannah Moore-Hemann – Suzannah is the Assistant Director for Scholarships and Stewardship at Eastern Oregon University
  • Tim Seydel – Tim is Vice President of University Advancement at Eastern Oregon University
  • Autumn Wilburn – Autumn is the Special Projects Director for Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness
  • Paul Anderes (alternate) – Paul is a Union County Commissioner
  • Curtis Martin (alternate) – Curtis is a Baker County rancher

Job openings at NEOEDD

We are not currently hiring for any open positions. Please check back in the future for opportunities. 

Project Submission Form: Baker, Union, and Wallowa Counties

Please use this form to submit projects for potential inclusion in the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Once projects are included, you can use the CEDS to demonstrate that your project has been listed in a regional plan. Projects should have a positive impact on economic or community development.

To be included in the CEDS, projects must have a public or non-profit sponsor. Private projects should not be submitted and will not be included in the CEDS.

You may submit multiple projects by returning to this page. The space for providing answers will expand. 

The NEOEDD board will consider new project additions at their quarterly meetings.