Strategic Economic Development Foundation
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The Strategic Economic Development Foundation, Inc. has been organized to provide educational programming related to business operations for underserved populations beginning in the mid-Willamette Valley area of Oregon. By conducting this activity, we will help minority business owners in underserved areas to build businesses that can sustain themselves and thus economically develop the area.
We envision a well-connected regional business ecosystem anchored in sustainable systems and strong local partnerships that support innovation, industry transformation and entrepreneur empowerment.
Our mission is to deliver accessible, relevant, responsive programs while fostering value-add partnerships.
Programs/Projects Under SEDF
Board of Directors
Erik Andersson, Chair
Erik is the President of SEDCOR, the Strategic Economic Development Corporation, an economic development membership organization serving Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley. Prior to his current position, he spent a decade in the utility sector, as economic development manager for Tacoma Public Utilities and PacifiCorp where in addition to working with data centers like Facebook and Apple he also helped develop an energy efficiency and historic preservation initiative targeting Main Streets around Oregon. Erik served under former Gov. Ted Kulongoski as his regional coordinator for the Economic Revitalization Team in the Willamette Valley and central coast. Originally from Saratoga Springs, New York, he began his west coast adventures in 1994 when he became the executive director of a local economic development organization in Port Townsend, WA. He currently participates on the boards of several organizations including the Elsinore Theatre in Salem and the Willamette Workforce Partnership, and has previously held board positions with Rural Development Initiatives (RDI) and the Energy Trust of Oregon. Erik has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Cornell University and a MBA from McGill University.
Patricia Callihan-Bowman, Treasurer
TBD
Theresa Haskins, Secretary
Theresa and her husband live on a farm just a few miles from the farm where she grew up east of Salem. An alum of McNary High, she went to Gonzaga University and graduated fourth in her class with a degree in International Business, minoring in Marketing.
Her career began in 1986 at the Oregon Department of Agriculture working with Oregon gourmet food producers to market their products. This included two high profile promotions with Bloomingdale’s and then Neiman Marcus. Following a move to eastern Oregon, she was hired as the Executive Director of the East Central Oregon Association of Counties and Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation. Her team of almost 200 employees delivered senior services, job training programs and economic development and small business financing to 8 counties in Eastern Oregon.
Theresa moved back to the Willamette Valley in 1992 and became a Regional Strategies Coordinator with the Oregon Economic Development Department. This work deepened her interest in economic development. In addition, the experience and relationships led her to a position with Portland General Electric. Over the next 30 years at PGE, Theresa managed regional distribution operations, business customer markets, product development and business development for the electric utility. Each of these functions was augmented with by her involvement in many volunteer activities throughout PGE’s service area, including stints on the Clackamas Workforce Investment Board, Greater Portland Inc, the Oregon Economic Development Association, President of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and Chair of SEDCOR. She also enjoyed volunteering with local arts and philanthropic organizations to balance business interests with her passion for the arts, education and community health.
Theresa retired from PGE in early 2024. In addition to SEDF, she continues to serve on the Salem Health Board of Trustees, Salem Chamber Past Presidents and is part of Yes for Chemeketa. Her greatest pride is in the success of her two grown sons. Theresa enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle on her farm, the golf course, reading and traveling.