This month we interviewed Jeff Stell with Business Oregon who, after 26 years working at the Oregon Department of Human Services, decided to try something new. He enrolled at Portland State University in the Master of Public Administration program and simultaneously took a new position at Business Oregon as the Business Projects Incentives Coordinator where his job was to implement incentive programs that would strengthen the development of businesses, communities, and economies in Oregon. With that shift Jeff says he “encountered three career changing opportunities" that helped him discover that a great amount of import/export activity happening across the state, and exporting wasn’t getting the attention it needed at the state and local levels.

Renowned Instructor and Trade Expert Jim Foley partners with PCC SBDC to lead a course preparing students to become certified global business professionals thorough NASBITE - the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators. PCC's Small Business Development Center hosts the two-and-a-half-day program at its Global Trade Center in downtown Portland.  

Scott, what drives you towards advising and teaching for the Global Trade Center (GTC)?   I have worked with the GTC and its predecessor for over twenty years as a part of the Oregon trade service providers community.  Oregon has a unique partnership of local (Global Trade Center), state (Business Oregon) and Federal (US Commercial Services) partners who service exporters through training, counseling and other services to support their success in global markets.  I joined the GTC to continue to contribute to that role.

Updated March 2023

Warren Banks has been with the PCC Small Business Development Center for twelve years. He currently works as a co-facilitator and advisor for the Buying and Selling Outside the U.S. training program. Over the years, he's helped hundreds of small businesses across Oregon take advantage of the global marketplace. Today, he shares his journey and knowledge with us.

Warren, tell us why you love teach & advise? I love to learn about companies and help them get to where they want to be. In general, I’m one of those people who want to help others--I think most people are. By helping others, I feel that I am paying it forward. When I help out these business owners and employees, I get to share some of the many resources I’ve found over the years.