On Tuesday, January 14 2020, COCC’s new President Dr. Laurie Chesley joins our Club to introduce herself and her vision for COCC. Dr. Laurie Chesley is the sixth president in Central Oregon Community College’s 70-year history. Her tenure began in July of 2019. Prior to joining COCC, Chesley was provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs at Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan. Her administrative and leadership experience spans 18 years and includes both two- and four-year colleges. Chesley served as interim dean of learning at Northwestern Michigan, assistant vice president for academic affairs at Ferris State (Michigan) University, dean of humanities at Montgomery County (Pennsylvania) Community College, and associate dean and dean of arts and sciences at Grand Rapids Community College.

A first-generation college graduate, she earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Alma College. She went on to receive her master’s and doctorate degrees (her dissertation examined the portrayal of women in the work of Daniel Defoe) in English at the University of Notre Dame, where she met her late-husband, Brent. Chesley taught English at a variety of higher education institutions for 14 years, including five years of full-time teaching at Northwestern Michigan College.

A recipient of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Faculty Excellence Award and a past winner of the Michigan Chapter of the American Council of Education Network’s Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award, Chesley is passionate about mentoring the leaders of tomorrow.

On Tuesday, November 19th 2019, our lunch speaker will be Chad Copeland, an adventure and natural history photographer – a contributor to National Geographic, Outside Magazine, Men’s Journal and numerous other periodicals and has covered stories from the air, land and underwater around the world.

Chad will discuss his background with National Geographic, the BBC and more and talk about how being a global visual storyteller led him to Bend, OR. The primary topic will cover his new TV series “Adventure Calls” and why it was created (i.e. To bring local businesses together in an effort to show what Central Oregon has to offer to both locals and tourists.). The presentation will illustrate how sponsors have collaborated and how the rising tide is floating more boats through the opportunity. The series is being presented by Visit Central Oregon and is being supported throughout the region. At the end, Copeland will address questions and offer like opportunities to be a part of the series.

In 2015 he photographed “People of Action” for Microsoft’s Windows 10 desktops, tablets and mobile devices influencing the brand’s image. After shooting for more than two decades he developed a variety of Unmanned Aircraft Systems so that he could fly a variety of cameras into remote locations. Today he is a leader in the drone community and continues to push the limits of aerial applications. His expertise, leadership and skills as a pilot, decade of military service, commercial air traffic controller experience and lifelong outdoor adventure spirit combine to provide deliverable media from air, land and sea. Chad prepares for all expeditions with rigorous training in anticipation of all challenges. These strengths and strategies have earned him international recognition. In 2015, he studied the art of 360 virtual imaging and is now one of the leading 360VR content deliverers around the world having produced feature content for the 2016 NBC Olympics, Sony and a plethora of global clients.

On Tuesday, November 12th 2019, our lunch program will be the Pelton Round Butte Fish Committee Roadmap, presented by Megan Hill from PGE and Jason Grant from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The “Fish Committee Roadmap” is the plan for restoring salmon and steelhead runs in the Deschutes River.

Megan Hill is the natural resources manager for Portland General Electric at the Pelton Round Butte
Hydroelectric Project on the Deschutes River, Oregon. Megan has over fifteen years of experience in
fisheries, including employment in academia, a federal agency, and PGE. She has a B.A. in Biology and
Environmental Studies from Knox College, an M.S. in Environmental Science from Washington State
University, and post-graduate fisheries work at the University of Georgia.

Jason Grant attended Oregon State University where he majored in Fisheries and Wildlife Science. He has
worked in the Fisheries field for over 12 years, beginning as a Fisheries Technician with the Forest Service
on the Siuslaw Ranger District, then moving to the Willamette National Forest. Upon the realization that
seasonal work does not support a mortgage payment, he accepted a Fish Habitat Biologist position with
the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla – La Grande Field Office. In this position, Jason furthered his
knowledge of aquatic restoration practices. In early 2011, he accepted a position with the Confederated
Tribes of the Warm Springs. In both positions, he has managed many active and passive stream
restoration projects, as well as coordinated and developed relationships with project partners. When
he’s not working, you might find Jason poorly casting his spey rod while swinging flies for steelhead,
gardening or hiking with his family.