Chamber welcomes new board members

The membership of the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce has elected Chris Mayes, Elaine Drakulich, Lara Eckstine and Kathy Oxborrow as incoming board members who will take office February 1, 2009.

Chris Mayes owns Design Strategies, Inc., a custom home and small commercial design firm, located in Sisters. Mayes and his family moved from Tacoma, Washington to Sisters in 2003 for the exceptional schools, quality of life, and the opportunity to start his own business.

He is an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Sisters Community Church and coaching youth soccer. Mayes recently participated in the Ford Institute Leadership Program presented by the Ford Family Foundation and the Small Business Management program at COCC.

Elaine Drakulich, the Sisters School District Superintendent, moved to Sisters in 2007. A life-long Oregon resident, she has more than 30 years of education experience as both a teacher and administrator, specializing in charter and alternative schools, human resources, budgeting and crisis response teams. 

Drakulich has a special interest in economic development and hopes to bring her unique perspective to the Chamber Board.

Lara Eckstine's business, Coffee Depot, is located in Redmond. A Central Oregon resident for more than 10 years, she has more than 11 years of banking and small business ownership experience, including former management of Papandrea's in Sisters. Eckstine has a reputation for enthusiasm and integrity and looks forward to putting her energy toward furthering the "Sisters Country Pioneering Spirit" as a board member.

Kathy Oxborrow is the principal in Oxborrow Communications which offers planning, training and communication consulting services. A Sisters resident for more than five years, she is also a freelance writer for The Bulletin. She recently completed a strategic plan for the Community Action Team of Sisters (CATS) and participated in the Ford Institute Leadership program offered in Sisters.