Chamber Roundtable

CHAMBER ROUNDTABLE
BREAKING GROUND: CONSIDERATIONS FROM BUSINESSES EXPANDING LOCALLY

For many business owners, growth doesn't happen all at once. It happens through a series of decisions: hiring new employees, investing in equipment and technology, opening a new location, expanding services, or launching a new venture.

At this month's Chamber Roundtable, local small business leaders will share what those decisions have looked like for their organizations and what they've learned while navigating the next stage of growth. Representing different industries and stages of expansion, panelists will discuss the opportunities they're pursuing, the challenges they've encountered, and the factors influencing their investment decisions.

The conversation will explore topics including workforce growth, operational capacity, financing and investment decisions, regulatory considerations, and the realities of scaling a business in today's environment. Attendees will gain firsthand insight into how local entrepreneurs evaluate risk, pursue new opportunities, and position their businesses for long-term success.

PRESENTERS

Colby Phillips Owner, PublicHouse	Tim Woolley President, IEQ Technology

Whether you're considering the next stage of growth for your own business, supporting workforce development efforts, or interested in understanding the conditions that support business investment, job creation, and long-term growth in the local tax base, this interactive discussion offers an opportunity to hear directly from business owners who are actively navigating that journey.

Presenting Sponsor: Travel Lane County

NEW this year – we will be adding a half hour of networking and refreshments to the beginning of each Roundtable program.

About the Speakers:
Tim Woolley
Timothy Woolley is President and founder of IEQ Technology, a managed services provider and custom software development firm based in Springfield, Oregon. Since 2011, he has led IEQ with a focus on practical solutions, accountability, and long-term partnerships. IEQ serves educational institutions, healthcare providers, utilities, municipalities, nonprofits, and businesses across the Northwest and the United States, delivering managed IT services, cybersecurity, network administration, legacy systems support, and custom software development.

An Oregon native, born in Coos Bay, Tim comes from a logging family and spent 12 years working in the woods before going back to school. He earned his degree in Computer and Information Science from the University of Oregon. That blend of real-world experience and formal training shaped his approach to technology: straightforward, results-driven, and without hype.

In addition to his work in technology, Tim has co-authored several scholarly articles, bringing a research-based perspective to his problem-solving. Under his leadership, IEQ has built a reputation as a reliable partner that organizations can count on. Tim’s focus remains on solving problems, protecting systems, and helping organizations succeed.

Colby Phillips
Colby Phillips is a Eugene-based hospitality operator and owner of PublicHouse in Springfield and Beergarden in Eugene, two community gathering spaces built around rotating food vendors, craft beer, and a distinctly local atmosphere. Born and raised in Lane County, he comes from a family with deep local roots and has a strong personal connection to the region’s outdoor lifestyle, including running and hiking on trails around town, the Cascades, and the coast.

Colby’s work centers on creating gathering spaces that reflect the character of the area. He focuses on blending historic buildings with thoughtful design to build places that feel authentic, comfortable, and distinctly local. His goal is to create environments where residents naturally bring friends, family, and colleagues, while also giving visitors a genuine sense of the unique local culture.

In addition to his business work, Colby has served on the board of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, its Leaders Advisory Committee, and the City of Springfield’s SEDA Budget Committee. He also volunteers as an official at Hayward Field track meets. These experiences have given him a strong, practical understanding of economic development and public-private partnerships at the local level.

Colby is interested in expanding his current concepts and developing new ones that better serve both residents and visitors. He remains focused on building authentic, locally grounded gathering spaces that strengthen the character of Lane County’s communities.