President & Board Chair

Dan Youmans
Government Affairs Consultant

Meet Dan

Dan retired from AT&T in 2014 as regional vice president of External Affairs after working for the company for nearly 20 years.  His responsibilities at AT&T included public policy, government affairs, and public relations.  He now works part-time as a government affairs consultant to non-profit organizations.

Previously, Dan worked in communications in the Washington State Governor’s Office and Washington State House of Representatives. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Washington State University. Dan is a permanent resident in Sunriver and serves as the Representative for the South Deschutes County Chapter of the Central Oregon Trail Alliance.

Treasurer

Aaron Schofield
Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager
First Interstate Bank

Meet Aaron

Aaron has been with the First Interstate Bank for 10 years. Aaron also serves on the La Pine Chamber of Commerce as board treasurer.  Aaron is a board Advisor with the La Pine Parks and Recreation District Foundation.  He graduated in 1998 from JCC with an AAS in Accounting and started his professional career at Carrols Corporation as General Manager is 1998.

Aaron has a great passion for helping build the community through business development and supports those efforts that help the Sunriver community.   Aaron and his wife Sarah reside in the Sunriver area with their son Ethan.  Aaron actively volunteers for many of the local Non-Profits.

Executive Director

Kristine Thomas
Sunriver Area Chamber

Meet Kristine

Bio coming soon.

Secretary

Keith Kessaris

Assistant General Manager,
Sunriver Owners Association

Meet Keith

As the Assistant General Manager of SROA, Keith’s knowledge in Board governance, community management and connections with key stakeholders in Sunriver enables him to elicit a strong voice in the overall business community marketplace.

Keith is a past President of the Sunriver Area Chamber’s Board of Directors, and he currently serves on the Fundraising Committee for Bend Habitat for Humanity. Keith is a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA designee) and a member of the Community Managers International Association (CMIA).

Director

Thomas Samwel
Director of Finance, Sunriver Resort Limited Partnership

Meet Thomas

Thomas has been employed by the Sunriver Resort since 2007.  Thomas has financial responsibilities for Sunriver Resort, Sunriver Realty, and Caldera Springs Real Estate. Previously, Thomas held the position of Controller for Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA.  Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Central Washington University.

Thomas currently sits on the Association of Unit owners HOA Board in the Resort Lodge Village association and is a permanent resident of Caldera Springs. Past board positions included being a member of the Crosswater HOA board, Caldera Springs HOA President and board member and an advisory board member of Sunriver/La Pine EDCO chapter.

Director

Debbie Baker
Sunriver Service District

Meet Debbie

Debbie is the Administrator to the Board of Directors of the Sunriver Service District, which provides police and fire protection to the local community.  Previously, Debbie was a member of the Board. Debbie is active in the Sunriver Women’s Club, including serving as the former Philanthropy Chair.

Debbie moved to Sunriver in 2011 from Salem, where she had served for 31 years in the Salem Police Department.  Debbie achieved the rank of Deputy Chief, overseeing the Patrol Division of 130 staff. She was the first female officer to reach both the rank of Lieutenant and Deputy Chief in the history of the Department. Debbie has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Oregon.

Director

Patti Adair
Deschutes County Commissioner

Meet Patti

Patti is a fourth-generation Oregon native who grew up on a ranch near Heppner. She is a proud University of Oregon Duck who graduated with a degree in History. Patti later completed her CPA in Washington State. During the general election, she learned her grandfather had been a Umatilla County commissioner, so this career direction is in her genes.

Director

Kelly Newcombe
General Manager – Central Oregon
Meredith Lodging

Meet Kelly

Kelly serves as Meredith Lodgings’ General Manager in Central Oregon, where she ensures that the day-to-day business operations run smoothly and efficiently for over 130 vacation rentals in the area. She is also the Business Development Manager for the region and works directly with homeowners to create a lasting partnership to ensure their investment homes are properly cared for.

Kelly is a native Oregonian, grew up in Corvallis, and graduated with a degree in Business Management from Oregon State University.  She worked at FivePine Lodge in Sisters for eight years as the Sales and Marketing Director.  Kelly also previously served on the Sisters Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Board Advisor

John Salzer
Retired

Meet John

After 32 years in the telecommunications industry, John retired to Sunriver Resort in 2000.  He has been active in the Sunriver Area Chamber of Commerce and currently serves as an advisor to the Board of Directors.

John is past-president of the Sunriver Owners Association Board of Directors (2003-2004) and served on the team that initiated the campaign to build the SHARC facility.  John served on the Deschutes County United Way Board of Directors, including as president and campaign chair, and was also vice president of the Sunriver Service District.  John is a graduate of Oregon State University with a degree in economics and holds an MBA from Stanford University.

Board Advisor

John Holland
Retired Developer

Meet John

A 15-year permanent resident in Sunriver Resort, John brings his knowledge and expertise to the Sunriver Area Chamber in working with local businesses and local government, and representing the interests of local residents.  John has worked with the Sunriver Owners Association Board of Directors, where he chaired the Communications Committee and served on the Design Review Committee. He also served as the SROA representative to the Chamber.

John is past Board President of the Homebuilders Association, EDCO Board member, and created SaveSunriver.org. John attended the Graduate School of Education at Portland State University.

Board Advisor

Julia Theisen
President & CEO,
Central Oregon Visitors Association

Meet Julia

As the leader of Visit Central Oregon, Julia manages marketing, global sales and membership to drive tourism to the region.  Visit Central Oregon is the Regional Destination Marketing Organization.

Prior to this role, she served as VP marketing and sales for Aspen Colorado where she promoted Aspen in domestic and international markets through marketing, public relations and sales.  She has also worked at the PGA TOUR marketing and managing an international tournament.  Julia has spent a decade living and working abroad and currently resides in Bend.