Vonnie Mikkelsen
President & CEO
Vonnie is energized by the collective knowledge, resources & expertise she encounters every day in her work with Chamber members. A seasoned professional with a diverse set of tried and tested competencies, she understands first-hand the value of an all-hands-on-deck approach when it comes to helping businesses grow and succeed. An Oregonian with local roots, Vonnie earned a BA in Intl. Relations/PoliSci from Willamette University and spent 16 years living and working abroad. In addition to having served as E.D. for a Chamber in the Tampa Bay (FL) region, Vonnie has worked on World's Fair promotions, in cable TV programming & acquisitions, and in association management. On her days off, you likely will find Vonnie hiking or biking along one of the many beautiful area riverfront trails or at the park enjoying the outdoors with her dogs.
Paige Walters
Director, Advocacy & Economic Development; Foundation Director, Development & Partnerships
A Pacific Northwest local, Paige is originally from Corvallis, Oregon, but spent most of her life up in Castle Rock, Washington – a small town near Mt. Saint Helens. In 2013, she earned her Bachelors in Business Administration degree, with concentrations in Marketing, International Business, and HR Management from Gonzaga University. GO ZAGS! After working for two years with Leadership Spokane, she spent three years living and working abroad, including two years as a Community Economic Development Volunteer with the Peace Corps in Namibia. Paige is a strong advocate for community development through programs promoting education and small business leadership. In her free time, Paige enjoys heading over to the coast with her dog Lily. Lily is originally from Namibia, but is enjoying Oregon very much.
Natasha Boska
Office Manager
Natasha has been fortunate to learn and grow with the Chamber for over a decade now. Hailing from the Great Lakes region, Natasha came to Oregon in 2005 after obtaining her B.A. from Macalester College in Russian Language & Area Studies. With an intense passion for locally grown and produced food, as well as a love for both nature and culture, she has found this place to be home. Natasha brings a strong analytical and organizational sense to her role as Office Manager, helping to support her colleagues in their ever-expanding roles and goals. In her off time, she continues to explore and enjoy the local and regional landscape and wonders.
John Garbett
Director, Membership & Investor Relations
John graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in International Studies (Law and Diplomacy) and a Minor in Business Administration. In Portland, he worked with a wide variety of associations to boost member engagement and to maximize non-dues revenue, including the Oregon State Bar, the Oregon-Columbia Chapter of the Associated General Contractors, the Oregon Medical Association and the California Hotel and Lodging Association. John returned to Eugene in 2012 to lead magazine production, marketing and fundraising for an arts non-profit organization. Originally from Moline, Illinois, he loves to explore the natural wonders of Oregon, whether hiking, skiing or bike-riding.
Adam Tamarkin
Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications
Adam hails from Staten Island, New York, and has lived and worked in Oregon for over 20 years. He attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, graduating with a BFA in Graphic Design along with a minor in English. Over the past two decades, Adam has honed his graphic design, marketing and communications skills by helping businesses across variegated industries spread the word about their products and services. In his spare time, Adam loves to create things, from visual art to original music, and enjoys camping and traveling with his wife and tween-aged son.
James Feist
Manager, Member Experience
As Manager of Member Experience, James will provide our community of businesses and individuals with supplemental outreach and resources to make their Chamber experience even more robust. Originally from the Midwest, James moved to the Springfield/Eugene area in 2021 from Minnesota, where he was director of Explore Alexandria Tourism. He attended the University of North Dakota, graduating with a degree in Psychology with an emphasis on Human Development. He has 11 years of experience in the tourism industry, which shaped his passion for working in a community-focused environment. He loves Oregon and enjoys hiking, biking, gardening, photography, music and exploring the outdoors.
Mary Ann Reilly
Workforce & Business Devt. Program Specialist
M. A. was born and raised in the Big Apple and moved to the Left Coast in 1972 to find a wonderful new world. She moved to Eugene 8 years ago from Viva Las Vegas for a more sustainable lifestyle and bi-lateral knee replacements. In 2019, Mary Ann became Executive Director for Eugene/Springfield's premier caterer, Carte Blanche Caterers. At the same time she became very involved in both the Eugene & Springfield Greeter's programs. Due to the pandemic M. A. was furloughed from Carte Blanche Caterers. M. A. is very excited to be the Workforce & Business Development Program Specialist for the Chamber and former co-chair for the Springfield Greeters in 2023.