OBC supports the vision of the Oregon Business Plan, a policy forum that we’ve shared nearly two decades with leaders from all sectors of Oregon life. This vision, recently updated, embraces three intertwined policy priorities for a coming decade of shared prosperity:
GROW Oregon’s Economy With Well Paying Jobs
INCREASE the Education and Work Skills of Oregonians
ENHANCE the Economic Mobility of More Oregonians
The Oregon Business Council embodies Oregon’s long history of business leaders who contribute their energy and expertise to civic life. A roundtable of top executives, OBC was founded in 1985 with the idea that a small, committed group of business leaders could make a significant contribution to Oregon’s well-being and future. Our mission is to enhance Oregon’s quality of life and economic prosperity — for all Oregonians in all parts of our state.
We do that through engagement in public issues in a range of ways – research and analysis, communication, convening, advocacy, and direct action with community partners. We’ve had an impact on some of Oregon’s most pressing public issues. These include public finance, economic development, education, poverty, health care, community health, and resource and environmental issues. We are non-profit, non-partisan, and independent, and our work is aimed at a broad public benefit.
Effective March 2, John Tapogna begins as President of the Oregon Business Council. He steps into this role following more than four years as OBC’s Economic Advisor and a distinguished 25-year career at ECOnorthwest, including service as President, where he led complex economic analyses and advisement across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. He brings a deep understanding of Oregon’s economy, a strong grounding in data-driven policy, and a commitment to collaborative leadership at a pivotal time for our state. John succeeds Duncan Wyse, who after more than 30 years of exceptional leadership as OBC President will transition to lead the OBC Action Lab to advance the organization’s implementation-focused work and helping translate policy priorities into measurable outcomes. As OBC enters its next chapter, John will lead the team in strengthening Oregon’s economic competitiveness and advancing the Oregon Business Plan’s goals: growing wages, increasing the share of people working, expanding household wealth, and improving economic mobility across the state. We are grateful to Duncan for his extraordinary leadership and excited to welcome John into this new role. Onward to the next chapter!
