Eagan named Bend business advocate
The city of Bend has hired Carolyn Eagan as its new business advocate. Eagan replaces Jon Skidmore, who was promoted to Assistant City Manager earlier this year.
The Bend Business Advocate staffs the Bend Economic Development Advisory Board (BEDAB) and generally works with the community, city processes and local business support organizations to build a healthier economic foundation in the Bend.
Eagan worked as the Regional Economist for Central Oregon and South Central Oregon with the Oregon Employment Department. In that position, she produced and analyzed employment trends, including the unemployment rate and monthly job growth in the region’s major industries.
She has been a member of both Redmond Economic Development Inc. and the Bend Economic Development Advisory Board. Eagan has been consulted by economists and journalists nationwide on analysis pertaining to Bend’s economy.
Outside of work, Eagan served as Board Chair for Commute Options for Central Oregon. She also sat on the City’s Transportation Safety Advisory Committee and was integral in forming the City’s Road User Safety Task Force.
Eagan earned her Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Portland State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Math from La Salle University in Philadelphia. She starts her new position with the City on August 13.
Appointed by the City Council, BEDAB promotes a supportive and innovative business environment designed to foster economic growth in the City of Bend.
Recently, the City Council has appointed two new members to BEDAB. Van Schoessler, Sales Manager with Stanley Outdoor, and Dale Van Valkenburg, Development Manager with Brooks Resources, will serve on the committee.
BEDAB also elected Dave Slavensky with Structus Building Technologies as chair. Beth Wickham, Director of the Small Business Development Center at COCC, was elected vice chair.
BEDAB holds monthly public meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 a.m. in the Board Room in City Hall. For more information, visit www.bendoregon.gov/BEDAB.
