Join us to hear from expert Oregon City leaders in the financial services, automotive, and restaurant sectors. They’ll share their unique perspectives on the current business challenges and opportunities they’re facing.

Learn how they’re navigating the same issues many of you may be dealing with—including inflation, rising operational costs, tariffs, labor shortages, and evolving federal and local policies, to name just a few. The panelists will discuss the headwinds they’re encountering, the ways they’re adapting and changing course, and the opportunities they still see despite these pressures.

Featured panelists include:

• Ira Jones, General Manager of Lithia Subaru in  Oregon City
  • Ira Jones has served as the General Manager of Lithia Subaru of Oregon City since 2021, bringing more than two decades of automotive experience and a lifelong connection to the industry. He began his career in 2001 as a salesperson at Lithia Dodge of Eugene, building on the foundation he gained growing up on his father’s car lot. Over the years, Ira has held nearly every role within a dealership, giving him a deep understanding of operations and a genuine appreciation for the customer experience. Known for his commitment to delivering the highest level of service, Ira leads the Oregon City Subaru team with a focus on integrity, teamwork, and customer care. He is proud to work alongside a talented and dedicated group of professionals who share his passion for helping customers find the right vehicle with confidence and ease. Ira lives in Southeast Portland with his wife and their two children. Outside of work, he enjoys skiing, hiking, kayaking, and spending time outdoors—activities that reflect his love for the Pacific Northwest and its natural beauty.
• Matt Chrisman, Business Banking Relationship Manager at Columbia Bank in Lake Oswego
  • Matt supports small business banking customers across Oregon and Southwest Washington, helping entrepreneurs and closely held companies access the financial tools they need to grow. Known for his attentive listening and relationship‑driven approach, he builds trust with clients and works collaboratively to understand and support their goals. With more than 25 years of banking experience, Matt specializes in small business lending, including financing for expansion, working capital, equipment purchases, and commercial real estate. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Oregon and is a graduate of the Northwest Intermediate Banking School.Matt is deeply engaged in his community. He is an active member and current board member of the Lake Oswego Rotary Club. He previously served as Vice President and Treasurer of the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce. He also volunteers with Hunger Fighters, a local food bank in Lake Oswego, supporting efforts to address food insecurity in the region.
• Tara Wanstall, Owner of Watershed Cafe in Oregon City
  • Tara is the founder of Watershed Café & Bistro, a welcoming, community‑centered gathering place in downtown Oregon City. Since opening the café in 2024, she has focused on creating an inviting space where people can connect over quality coffee, handcrafted cocktails, and fresh, thoughtfully prepared food. Her vision is rooted in the belief that shared spaces strengthen community, and Watershed reflects that commitment in both atmosphere and experience.The café’s name draws inspiration from the Willamette Falls watershed—a historic regional crossroads where people have gathered, traded, and built relationships for generations. By honoring this legacy, Tara has shaped Watershed into a modern third place: an accessible, inclusive environment where residents, professionals, and visitors can meet, collaborate, and build meaningful ties.Guided by a deep appreciation for local identity and community connection, Tara has built Watershed Café & Bistro to be more than a dining destination. It serves as a hub for conversation, creativity, and shared experiences, offering delicious food and drink that complement its mission of bringing people together.

Join us for an insightful lunch at the Oregon City Business Alliance Forum!

• Zoom registration – Click here for February Zoom registration
• If you would like to sponsor this event, please email membership@ocbusinessalliance.com

Luncheon Details:

• Cost: $29 for OCBA members, $35 for non-members, $39 for all attendees for late registration after the end of the day on the Wednesday before the forum, including payments at the door, subject to availability.
• If you want to become an OCBA member or renew your OCBA membership, please go to our website and click the membership link for more information and registration.
• This luncheon event is open to the public.
• We are committed to a delightful dining experience for all at our forum. Guests with specific dietary needs can choose a plated meal for $35 (same for members and non-members) or select from the buffet, with vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free options clearly marked, though specific options cannot be guaranteed. Please submit plated meal requests by the end of the day on the Wednesday before the forum. 
• Please email membership@ocbusinessalliance.com with questions.

Sponsor: