Aurora Jackson

Aurora (A.J.) Jackson is the General Manager at Lane Transit District (LTD), a nationally recognized transit agency.  Prior to serving LTD, A.J. worked for Montebello Bus Lines in Southern California, where she served as the General Manager for over seven year.  Her work experience also includes holding various management positions at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro).  Her work at LTD has been focused on developing a system approach to transit in the community and improving the return on investment for local businesses.

In 2020, with the negative impacts of COVID-19 and the Holiday Farm Fire on Lane County, A.J.’s primary focus was keeping employees and residents safe. She actively serves Lane County as a board member for the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, United Way and Cornerstones Community Housing.  A.J.’s works at the state level include serving as a bord member for the Oregon Transportation Association and the Global Warming Commission.  Nationally, she supports transit by serving on the board of The Bus Coalition. Her professional associations include membership in the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the American Leadership Forum of Oregon, Latinos In Transit, the Zero Emissions Bus Resource Alliance, and the Twin Rivers Springfield Rotary Club.

David Elgarico

David Elgarico serves as the Chief Executive Officer at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center in Springfield since July, 2018.  Most recently, David served as the Chief Operating Officer at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Previously, he served in various executive roles to oversee the operations of hospitals in California, Texas, and South Carolina.  Overall, David has 16 years of hospital operations experience.  He earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the Medical University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education – Exercise Science from the College of Charleston.  David and his wife have two children and enjoy being active in the community, playing and coaching volleyball, and participating in their children’s activities.

Jessica Arenholtz

Jessica Ahrenholtz works for NextStep Recycling as their ReUse Store Manager and Director of Marketing. She learned her hard work ethic at a very young age, working for her father and grandfather’s seed company and growing up on a farm. Jessica has over 20 years of customer service experience in the retail and restaurant world. This is where she learned that she has a gift for helping others - and this brought her to NextStep.

Jessica received the honor of “Closet Heroine”, awarded by the Springfield Greeters in 2019, and the “Above and Beyond Award” in 2020. Jessica has worked non-stop during COVID-19 to assist as many people in the community as possible. She has been providing needed computers to everyone adjusting to schooling and working from home. She was also able to help many who lost everything during the Oregon Fires last fall. “It is a very fulfilling job that I am able to help others on a daily basis. I am very thankful to be in the position that I am in and be able to help give back to the community as much as I possibly can.”

Liz Dahlager

Liz Dahlager joined InnSight Hotel Management Group, now Mereté Hotel Management, in 2009 and has over 20 years of hospitality experience. In addition to overseeing sales, revenue management and digital marketing for 18 hotels in the Pacific Northwest, she works closely with Mereté development partner Sycan B to identify new markets, evaluate projects and collaborate with brand partners to identify hotel development opportunities.  Liz is the recipient of the Marriott International Global Sales Leadership Award and Mereté’s top company honor – the Areté Award of Excellence. She was recently an honoree at the annual Eugene Chamber Women Business Leaders lunch for her efforts in 2020 that included working closely with FEMA, Red Cross and local government and  community leaders in providing resources to wildfire evacuees. Liz currently serves on the Springfield Board of Directors and is Chair of the Economic Development Committee.

Mark Molina

Mark visited Springfield, OR for the first time in 1985 on his way to Germany while on Active Duty in the U.S. Army. In 1995 he returned to his newly adopted home of Springfield after receiving an honorable discharge from the Army. Mark has coached AYSO and Kidsports Select soccer teams. He served as a soccer referee and has coached Kidsports football teams as well. He was the Cubmaster for Maple Elementary and Assistant Scoutmaster for the Thurston scouting program. He has also served on many boards including the City of Springfield Budget Committee, Police Planning Task Force, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, HIV Alliance, to name a few. He is currently the CEO of Molina Leadership Solutions in Springfield. He enjoys running and has completed several half marathons, marathon and ultramarathons. His wife Abigail has her own law practice in Springfield: Molina Law Group, LLC. They have an 8-year old daughter. Mark also has three adult children and 5 grandchildren. Mark has a Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies and a Master’s Degree in Christian Leadership.

Robert Killen

Robert Killen is a fifth generation Oregonian with broad professional experience, including for profit and non-profit management, consulting and self- employment. He began his professional life as an artist, art director and brand specialist. He spent another decade in finance as a commercial lender and branch manager, helping businesses better understand and manage their resources.With the onset of great recession, Robert committed himself to helping small business and business professionals improve communication, identity, culture and long term results.

Robert served members of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce as both a board member and on staff until 2019.

Robert is now the Director of the Lane Small Business Development Center, where he and his team provide free and confidential consulting, low-cost training, and specialized services including support in global trade, access to capital and market research. During the COVID era, the SBDC took the lead providing information and support regarding stimulus resources and business resilience.

Tab Davis

Tab Davis is a Marketing Consultant with Bicoastal Media - and the owner for Sun Dayz Tanning and Spa in Junction City. Additionally, she is a member of the Springfield Chamber Board along with serving as Co-Chair for Greeters among other areas of service to the community. Whether at work in Radio or volunteering, Tab works to connect business with people and resources to help them grow! She is an event planner, motivational speaker, and has raised over one hundred thousand dollars for local charity. Married to her hero JR for 25 years together they have 3 adult children and 2 beautiful grandchildren.