Upcoming Speaker:
Dr. Barbara J. Kahl, DVM 10/13/26
Dr. Barbara J. Kahl, DVM
Republican Nominee · Oregon’s 1st Congressional District
Dr. Barbara Kahl is a fourth-generation Oregonian, licensed veterinarian, and small-business owner who has spent her career solving problems on the ground—not in political office.
Experience in Business & Finance
Barbara spent nearly two decades working in corporate finance and purchasing, including seven years at Intel in Hillsboro, where she supported multi-million-dollar budgets.
She later earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Oregon State University and has operated a mobile veterinary practice for nearly 20 years, serving farms, family pets, and livestock across the district.
Leadership & Results
In 2022, Barbara was recruited to serve as American Samoa’s Chief Veterinarian. During her tenure, she:
· Built the territory’s first animal-control unit
· Transitioned the veterinary clinic from paper to digital records
· Drafted its first Veterinary Practice Act
· Hired, trained, and managed a staff of 15
Bringing Practical Leadership to Washington
Barbara intends to bring that same results-focused approach to Washington, D.C., with an emphasis on:
· A simpler tax code
· Transparent and accountable federal spending
· Better education
· Lower healthcare costs
· Livability and quality-of-life issues that matter to Oregon families
Practical experience. Responsible leadership. A focus on results for Oregon.
Rich Vial
We are pleased to welcome Rich Vial, whose new book, A Republic, If You Can Keep It*, has been drawing attention for its clear-eyed, non-partisan diagnosis of what ails American government, and its refusal to settle for the usual hand-wringing. Rich will share the heart of the book with us: why our politics has grown so dysfunctional, why the problem is not that Americans have become worse people but that we have let the machinery of our politics reward the wrong things, and what specific, structural repairs could help the republic stand. Drawing on forty years of helping fractious communities govern themselves, a term in the legislature, and even the example of his own third-great-grandfather — the bridge-builder who engineered the famous self-supporting roof of the Salt Lake Tabernacle — Rich offers a builder's view of a problem most of us feel but few can name. His argument belongs to no party, which may be exactly why it's worth iehearing. Copies of the book will be available, and Rich has offered to sign them. Come ready for a frank conversation, and bring your questions.*
I am also writing a substack in support of the Nonpartisan Citizen Initiative that I am hoping materializes in 2028. You can read my latest essay here: https://thegoodorder.substack.com/p/it-hangs-by-more-than-a-thread?r=8zjru
PUBLIC SERVICE
After first being elected to the House of Representatives in 2016, Rich immediately became effective as a legislator. This is because he has the right blend of public service and private sector experience to inform his decisions and because he’s had a front-row seat in dealing with some of the biggest challenges facing our region: transportation, land use and housing policy, and education.
In addition to serving on numerous local boards and commissions, Rich has written landmark legislation and helped to protect homeowners and community associations by working with legislators on both sides of the aisle to achieve workable solutions.
Rich’s previous public service includes:
Former Deputy Secretary of State
Former State Representative, House District 26
Former Chair, Groner School Board
Former Chair, Washington County Planning Commission
Member, Clean Water Services Advisory Commission
Former Member, Washington County Land Use Advisory Committee
Former Chair, Washington County Fair Board
Former Board Member, Washington County Farm Bureau
Rich’s extensive public service has left him with a profound sense that partisanship and the tendency to demonize the other is dividing us as a community. He is running for office as a non-partisan in the hope that he can help heal the wounds that have divided us.
Upcoming Speaker:
Rich Vial 10/13/26
Past guest speakers
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Mike Van Horn
This month’s speaker will be Mike Van Horn, a recently retired Intel executive who will be presenting on possibly the hottest topic of our time, Artificial Intelligence (AI). I’m confident we will all learn something useful.
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Joth Ricci
Joth is dedicated to mentoring, coaching and advising boards, organizations and individuals around key strategic initiatives to ensure strong economic growth and equitable opportunities for all.
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Allen Alley
Alan Alley, former Republican Oregon Governor nominee will be sharing his insights and insider knowledge with us starting at 7:30am. So, let’s all do our best to get breakfast by 7:15am and enjoy some great fellowship while eating.
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Angela Wilhelms
Angela Wilhelms joined OBI as President and CEO in September 2021. Before joining OBI, Angela service as secretary to the University of Oregon’s board of trustees, where she played a critical role in establishing the university’s governing practices and operations. Prior to joining the university, Angela had a successful career in public policy.
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James Bruce
James Bruce is the founder of Bridgeport Law Group in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where he advises individuals, families, and business owners on estate planning, trust administration, probate, business matters, and real estate transactions. Licensed to practice law since 2006, James brings more than 20 years of legal experience to helping clients protect what they have built, plan for the people and causes they care about, and navigate complex family, tax, and asset-transfer issues with clarity and confidence.
James is known for his practical, plain-English approach to estate planning, with a focus on designing plans that work not only on paper, but in real life. His clients often include high-net-worth families, closely held business owners, real estate investors, and professionals seeking thoughtful planning around trusts, succession, asset protection, Oregon estate tax exposure, and family legacy goals.
In addition to his legal practice, James lives in Lake Oswego, serves on the Lake Oswego Planning Commission, and has been actively involved with local nonprofit organizations focused on addressing homelessness in the community. Through both his professional and civic work, James is committed to helping families and communities plan carefully for the future.
