Pac/West Lobby Group

We’re proud to support organizations like Rotary that are making a meaningful difference in communities across Oregon.

Our own Chief Communications Officer, Daniel Wattenburger, is honored to serve as President-Elect of the Hermiston Rotary Club, helping advance Rotary’s longstanding mission of service above self.

Thank you to the Hermiston Rotary Club and its members for all you do to strengthen your community.

Thank you Pac/West Lobby Group for sponsoring a court at the Watermelon Slam Pickleball Tournament. Your investment in the community is so appreciated. And better luck to Daniel next in the bracket!

Rotary District 5100 ShelterBox ShelterBox USA

Imagine your school district invited you to play the game: Keep. Stop. Start.

That’s exactly what happened today. We were invited by the Salem-Keizer School District to participate in a community focus group helping shape its 10-year vision for the future of our schools. One of the exercises asked each participant to identify one thing the district should keep, one thing it should stop, and one thing it should start.

Here’s what we shared:

KEEP: CTEC—but don’t just keep it. Build five more. We believe education should help students become self-sufficient adults who can contribute meaningfully to their community. Programs like CTEC connect learning with practical skills and the competencies employers are looking for.

START: Teach students the difference between using AI to augment their work versus using it to cheat. Over the next decade, AI literacy will increasingly move from being a competitive advantage to a baseline expectation in the workplace.

STOP: Accepting a culture where students are counting down the days until they can leave the system. Beyond issues with struggling students, even many of the highest-achieving students are trying to graduate as quickly as possible so they can also leave. That’s not just an academic issue—it’s a cultural one.

Now we’re curious…

If your local school district asked you to play Keep. Stop. Start., what would your three answers be?

Most victories come and go with little fanfare.

We had the privilege of representing Bay Area Hospital through one of the most challenging legislative efforts I’ve ever been part of, helping to restructure $45m of existing debt in a 5-week session, in the face of formidable opposition from a powerful lobby sector with a lot of muscle.

There were countless moments when it looked like the effort might fail, but thanks to an extraordinary team and a lot of perseverance, we crossed the finish line (by one vote) on the final day of session.

This wasn’t about winning a policy debate. It was about helping preserve a hospital that serves Oregon’s South Coast and the surrounding communities that depend on it.

I’m grateful to Bay Area Hospital for the trust they placed in us, to the many legislators from both parties who worked tirelessly to find a solution, and especially to Representative Rob Nosse, whose determination and leadership never wavered, even when it seemed like the effort might fall apart.

Moments like this are a reminder that public policy isn’t just about bills and votes. At its best, it’s about people—helping protect the institutions our communities depend on.

It will have a permanent place in my office, as a direct reminder of why we do what we do.

There’s something pretty magical about watching young people discover what they’re capable of.

That’s why Pac/West Lobby Group is honored to be the presenting sponsor of Children's Educational Theatre’s production of Cinderella.

Behind every performance are countless hours of rehearsals, volunteers, families, and educators pouring into these kids—not just to put on a great show, but to help them grow into confident, resilient young adults.

Supporting organizations like CET is an investment in our community’s future, and we’re grateful to play a small part in helping these talented young performers shine.

Congratulations to everyone involved. We can’t wait to see the magic happen. 🎭✨

🇺🇸 Happy Fourth of July!

As America celebrates its 250th Anniversary, we reflect on the values that have united our nation for generations—freedom, opportunity, and community.

Wishing you a safe, meaningful, and memorable Independence Day with family and friends. ❤️🤍💙

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, father figures, mentors, and role models who make a difference every day. 💙

Juneteenth serves as both a celebration of freedom and a reminder of the importance of equity, opportunity, and community.

Today, we honor the past, recognize progress, and look toward a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

As part of our ongoing partnership with the Salem Business Journal, we help elevate the voices of young professionals who are subject matter experts from across our community.

While many know us for our work in public affairs and public policy, we’re equally passionate about supporting thoughtful conversations on the issues that impact quality of life here in the Mid-Valley.

This week, we’re excited to share the latest Health Series guest column from Ali Virtue, MS, c-CNS, Functional Medicine Nutritionist and founder of Parkside Nutrition.

With summer season upon us, Ali offers a refreshing perspective for anyone whose spring health goals didn’t go exactly as planned. Rather than chasing perfection, she focuses on practical, sustainable habits that can help people improve their health one step at a time.

Her message is simple: prioritize sleep, focus on protein and fiber, move your body consistently, and perhaps most importantly, give yourself permission to make progress without demanding perfection.

The article link is in the comments below. We hope you’ll take a few minutes to give it a read.

One of the most striking moments from this weekend’s Punx with Purpose “Speak Your Truth” showcase wasn’t a speech—it was the data.

Stormie’s Place served 1,330 unique youth during all of 2025. By June 1 of this year, it had already connected with 1,057 unique youth and recorded more than 3,300 visits.

The numbers tell an important story. More young people in our community are seeking support, connection, basic necessities, and safe places to belong.

Challenges like youth homelessness, food insecurity, mental health struggles, and social isolation aren’t issues any single organization can solve alone. They require schools, nonprofits, businesses, government, faith communities, and neighbors all pulling in the same direction.

Organizations like Punx with Purpose are doing important work on the front lines, but their success depends on a community willing to invest in young people before they become statistics.

Thank you to the Punx with Purpose team, volunteers, donors, and community partners who are helping create pathways to stability, opportunity, and hope for Salem’s youth.