Gillian Floren is executive editor for Mediamerica, Inc. and editor of the company’s 23-year-old flagship magazine, Oregon Business. For Mediamerica, she oversees the editorial, production and design side of the company to produce a range of publications including the business magazine and the state tourism department’s new Travel Oregon, which debuted in the spring 2002. She also oversees production of Mediamerica’s custom publications for a variety of clients. During her years as a journalist, Gillian has seen both sides of the editorial desk, having been a reporter, writer and editor. Holding a master’s in journalism from the University of North Carolina, she has taught journalism courses for Duke University’s writing program, Linfield College and the University of Asmara, Eritrea, in Northeastern Africa. She now lives, works, runs and bird watches in the Portland area.

A smart, forward-looking magazine for readers across the state, Oregon Business features innovative leaders, emerging industry trends and successful workplaces and communities. The magazine is a "must read" for Oregon's top executives, small business owners, policy makers, and residents who are passionate about the future of the state. Oregon Business provides a forum for lively dialogue about Oregon, for Oregon.

Mark Paul is Partner at Synergy Consulting Group LLC, a Portland-based consulting firm. Synergy enables clients to “outperform themselves” by improving leadership, marketing, and operational effectiveness - resulting in high-performance organizations that continually improve revenue & profitability. Synergy assesses barriers to exceptional performance then implements high-ROI initiatives to make clients money, often in hands-on, interim executive roles.

Mark’s first career (11 years) was with Ford and Northrop Corporation - Global 500 electronics manufacturing companies. While at Northrop, he built a $50 million business unit, with 250 people reporting to him in project roles. He has trained and consulted for hundreds of companies, including Intel, Electro-Scientific Industries, US Software, Oregon Graduate Institute, Employment Trends, Chrome Systems, etc.

Mark has served on boards of directors and advisors for various technology companies, has a bachelor’s degree in Physics, a patent, and recently published the 2nd edition to “The Entrepreneur's Survival Guide: Tips and tricks to start and build your company.” (available at http://www.ama-pdx.org/www.synergy-usa.com/esg2.htm and http://www.amazon.com/).

Janet Johnson has more than 20 years of experience in high technology marketing, business development and sales. Currently, Janet is the vice president of corporate communications at Hillsboro-based Merant, a global provider of enterprise change management software and services. A member of the Merant team since 2002, Janet is instrumental in driving the company's brand development, marketing, public relations, advertising, event management and community outreach initiatives. Prior to joining Merant, Janet served as the director of marketing communications at Enron Broadband Services. She has also held executive marketing and sales positions at eFusion, Now Software, and Pacific Telesis.

In 2001, Marc Bourret joined Boyd Coffee Company as their Vice President of Marketing. In this role he is charged with driving the strategic marketing vision for the Pacific Northwest’s oldest family-owned coffee company, and sustaining the Company's position as a leader in the specialty coffee industry.

In a caffeine-frenzied marketplace, this could have been a daunting task. Fortunately, Bourret came to the Company with a lifelong love of java and a 21-year-history with The Nation’s Newspaper, USA TODAY. There he was charged with spearheading marketing and sales efforts in the areas of specialty coffee, and coffee houses as well as the hospitality and foodservice industries.

Most recently, Bourret orchestrated the successful opening of Boyd Coffee Company's newest specialty retail coffee store in Portland's Pearl District, as well as the launch of its dynamic new Boyds Coffee (TM) brand.

Since 1900, Boyd Coffee Company has provided specialty coffee, espresso, rare estate coffees and rare estate tea as well as related equipment to restaurants and other foodservice operations. A privately held organization managed and run by the third and fourth generation of the Boyd family, the company offers more than 2000 coffee and food items to buyers around the world. Boyd Coffee Company has its headquarters on a 30-acre site just east of Portland, Oregon. More information can be found at http://www.boyds.com/.

Please email questions about registration to Janet George at registration@ama-pdx.org.