HOW DID WE START?

 

The Dragon Boat committee was formed in January 2005.  Initially it was started by Scott Mills owner of a local company, Opt-e-Web LLC, and member of the Salem Chamber of Commerce.  Scott wanted to show that the Salem Chamber was a fun business group to network with and organized a boat with 25 team members to enter the 2005 Dragon boat races, during the Salem World Beat Festival.  He also managed to raise $200 to be put towards the Salem Chamber Christmas basket Drive.

 

In 2005 the Dragon Boat Race had 16 teams competing and the Salem Chamber Team, known as the “lightning Boat” came in first place in one of the events.  Everyone had a blast and wanted to compete the following year.

 

Since then the World Beat Dragon Boat Race has grown to over 30 teams racing and Scott Mills now co-chairs a committee with Byron Loosli, Erin Ellis, Sandy Torgrimson-Fox, and they have two Teams, the lightning and Thunder Boats, competing and have raised over $20,000 for local charities.

 

Last year with the addition of Byron Loosli the Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America officially took ownership of this great fundraising event.  Their goal is to raise $25,000 in 2011.

 

OUR COMMITEE

 

Scott Mills

Scott Mills
CEO - Opt-e-Web LLC.
Opteweb

 

Scott is originally from the United Kingdom, but has resided in the United States for over twenty years. He has a very supportive wife, Donna Mills who works for First American Title and has a lovely Daughter Reyna, and two step sons Trevor and Mathew Hellman. He has been actively involved in the Salem business community for several years and has a passion to make a difference.  He was survivor of Cancer in 2001 and decided to run the New York marathon in 2005 and the Portland Marathon in 2006 raising over $8000 for OHSU Cancer research, and through business today helps organizations such as: United way, Mid-Valley Mentors, and YWCA, and.


 

 

Byron Loosli

 

Byron Loosli
Marketing Director - OPVA
OPVA
Byron Loosli is a native Oregonian born in Portland and raised in St. Helens.  Byron has worked around the country for different profit organizations in the areas of marketing and public relations for over 20 years.  When he heard from his wife Mindy over 2 years ago about the lack of awareness concerning our disabled and paralyzed veterans he took it upon himself to volunteer his time to help raise more awareness for needs for those with disabilities.  Today Byron is the Development Director for the OPVA (Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America) a non-profit 501-C-3 organization the only congressionally chartered veteran’s organization in our country which advocates and legislates for the rights of those who have served our country so valiantly.  The PVA (Paralyzed Veterans of America) has been making a difference in the lives of our military men and women with disabilities since 1946. Please support the OPVA

 

 

 

 

Erin

Erin Ellis
Marketing Representative, Group Six Communications
Group 6


n 1996, I started my career in telecommunications with Shared Communications and continued with Advanced Telcom Group when they purchased the company in 1999. In 2004, I left following a car accident and re-entered the work force in 2005 as a licensed mortgage loan officer. In 2008, I took advantage of a wonderful opportunity to get back into telecommunications with Group Six Communications. I started in customer service and in the fall of 2009, I became the Marketing Representative for the company.

I have two children, Michael and Justin. Michael is out on his own now and Justin is in middle school at Crossler. He is part of the deaf/hard of hearing program there and is an honors student, active in sports and church.

I grew up in Silverton and moved to Salem in 1990. I love the beauty of the Willamette Valley; we often take advantage of the close proximity of the ocean and mountains. My family and I love the Keizer/Salem community and make every effort to spend our dollars locally.

 

 

 

 

 

Sandy Torgrimson-Fox –Community Relations Director Central Willamette
Central Willamette Credit Union

 

Sandy Torgrimson-Fox joined Central Willamette Community Credit Union in 1978.  She has held several positions at the Credit Union and is currently the Community Relations Director
.

Central Willamette Community Credit Union was chartered on November 15, 1955 as a state-chartered credit union.  The Credit Union provides services to those who live or work in Linn, Benton, Marion and Polk counties with branches located in Salem, Albany, Lebanon and Corvallis.

Central Willamette is a full service financial cooperative with products and services designed to promote and assist with the financial goals of members. The Credit Union believes in building long term relationships and strives to be the “financial friend for life” that members can count on.

Sandy is active in the Salem Chamber of Commerce and serves as a Chamber Ambassador.  She participates in the Ready to Learn, Ready to Work program as a mock interviewer and is a member of Salem Chamber’s Show Biz committee.  She also serves on the Membership Committee for SEDCOR.

Sandy has served as a Loaned Executive, raising funds the for Linn County United Way Campaigns for the past 4 years and previously served on the Board of Directors.  She has been a Rotarian since 1999 and is currently a member of Salem Sunset Rotary.  In the fall of 2010, Sandy began working with the YWCA on various projects.