EDCO Welcomes Rita Hansen as Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is pleased to announce the hiring of Rita Hansen as Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a key leadership position dedicated to advancing Central Oregon’s innovation-driven startup ecosystem.

In this role, Hansen will lead the Central Oregon Innovation Hub (COIH), building upon Oregon State University – Cascades’ planning and implementation and EDCO’s success in supporting traded-sector, innovation-based startups. She will cultivate, connect and coordinate a collaborative ecosystem that helps entrepreneurs efficiently access resources, attract investment capital and create quality jobs. The Hub represents a partnership of organizations working under a unified umbrella to deliver services to innovation-driven entrepreneurs, including access to capital, technical assistance, coordinated education and mentoring, talent development, and strong connectivity across the region.

Jon Stark, CEO of EDCO, stated, “Rita brings a rare combination of deep operational experience, entrepreneurial leadership and a global perspective on innovation. Her proven ability to build and scale companies, along with her dedication to Central Oregon, positions her well to lead the Innovation Hub and enhance the region’s startup ecosystem.”

Hansen has more than 30 years of experience in executive management, engineering, operations management, and project management across diverse industries. Most recently, she served as CEO of Onboard Dynamics for 11 years, co-founding the company from technology originating at Oregon State University – Cascades and guiding it through early-stage growth and global market development. She specializes in early-phase and high-growth environments, particularly those focused on global opportunities in the energy and environmental sectors.

Hansen holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Washington and has continued her education in management, mathematics and education throughout her career. In 2017 and 2019, she was selected by the U.S. State Department to represent the United States at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in India and the Netherlands.

Her community and industry engagement includes serving on the STEM Investment Council for the State of Oregon Chief Education Office and as an Advisory Board member for the Oregon State University Advantage Accelerator. Hansen is also an active mentor and advisor to local high schools, as well as a volunteer supporting regional economic development activities in Central Oregon.

EDCO would like to extend its gratitude to Specialized Recruiting Group, an Express Employment Professionals company and Managing Director Karen Turner for their support in the hiring process. Their expertise in staffing and recruiting played a key role in securing the right candidate for this critical position. Express Employment Professionals & Specialized Recruiting Group provide customized staffing solutions to help overcome recruiting challenges, manage production fluctuations, handle changes in project scope, and navigate seasonal hiring needs in Central Oregon, making them an invaluable partner in our efforts.

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