March Pubtalk features Ray Davis, Ceo & President of Umpqua Bank
Mar 07,2008 00:00 by Bend_Weekly_News_Sources
Noted Oregon Entrepreneur To Share Lessons Learned

BEND, Ore. -- Ray Davis, CEO and President CEO of Umpqua Bank will speak at Central Oregon PubTalk on Thursday, March 20,  from 5-7:30 p.m. at McMenamins Old St. Francis School, in Father Luke’s Foundation Room, 720 Bond Street in Bend.  

 
Ray Davis, Pres. & CEO of Umpqua Bank 
You'll hear the story of how Davis has built a small company into an $8 billion powerhouse, expanding the Roseburg-based bank from six to 147 west coast locations.  Umpqua has been repeatedly recognized for outstanding customer service -- twelve years in a row, it's made Oregon Business Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work and twice made Fortune magazine's national list of best companies.  The company is also highly regarded for its cutting-edge retail banking strategies and innovative use of technology.

This PubTalk will appeal to anyone interested in the intersection of customer service and corporate culture.  Davis shares about how to create and reinforce an intentional, disciplined work culture that support high quality customer service.  A believer that titles provide insight to expectations, Davis is quick to point out that while his formal title is CEO, his real function is Head of Support.  He sees his key role as clearing any roadblocks that jeopardize Umpqua's 1,800 employees from accomplishing the organization's goals. (In the same way the receptionist is the Director of Smiles.)  

Any manager or business owner who has struggled with organizational complacency or skepticism will enjoy hearing Davis's straight talk about communication.  You can also expect Davis to touch on how he is guiding Umpqua through the toughest financial environment in years with the housing market slowdown and subprime meltdown.    

PubTalk early stage presentations center on Entrepreneurship.  We're hosting the winning student teams from two classes -- OSU-Cascades New Venture Management class and Concordia University Graduate School of Management's MBA class, The Entrepreneurial Manager.

To register for this event you may:
•    Sign up online
•    email Dayna Dudkowski
•    call EDCO offices at 541-388-3236.   

About PubTalk
Central Oregon PubTalk is presented by Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) in partnership with Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) and underwritten by title sponsors Ball Janik LLP and Community First Bank. Cost to EDCO and OEN members is $15 and $25 to the general public.
 
PubTalk is a monthly event celebrating the spirit of entrepreneurship in Central Oregon and strives to provide a unique forum where leaders of growing businesses can network with qualified funding sources, fellow entrepreneurs, key advisors, and business professionals.  Early stage presenters share ideas, experiences and strategies for the review of other businesses, angel investors, and EDCO/OEN members.

About EDCO
Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is a private, non-profit membership organization dedicated to building a strong and secure economic future for Central Oregon. EDCO has co-sponsored the popular PubTalk events since 2002 as part of its mission to cultivate a strong entrepreneurial community in Central Oregon.