EASTERN OREGON EMPLOYER CONFERENCE

Josh Davies is passionate about helping others make a difference in their lives, jobs, and community. His engaging and connecting speaking style combined with relevant content make him an in-demand speaker across North America, the Middle East, and Asia. With more than 20 years of experience and research, Mr. Davies is able to take complex concepts into simple solutions for daily execution. His work has been recognized across industries, from the 2023 Postsecondary Visionary Award from the Association of Career and Technical Educators to the 2022 H.G. Weisman Award by the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals and the 2022 Spirit of CHART Award by the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers for his commitment to the hospitality industry.
 

In addition to his speaking career, Josh has also been engaged in local, national and international efforts to advocate for and drive awareness around workforce issues. From starring in the documentary After Work, directed by international award-winning director Erik Gandini, to serving on multiple non-profit boards and commissions. He currently serves on the Colorado State Rehabilitation Council and has finished serving his second term on the Executive Board of the Colorado Workforce Development Council, where he chaired the State Education and Training Steering Committee. He also led the P-Tech Selection Committee for Colorado and served on the board of the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative. In addition to his work in the public sector, Josh also served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, was President of the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART) and co-chaired the Colorado State Youth Council.

Damon Runberg is the Economist at Business Oregon, the State of Oregon’s economic development agency. He supports the statewide economic development goals by tracking and analyzing economic indicators critical to Oregon’s workers and businesses. He also evaluates the effectiveness of Oregon’s economic development strategies and incentives. 

Prior to working with Business Oregon Damon was a Regional Labor Economist with the Oregon Employment Department for nearly 12 years. In his free time, you’ll likely find Damon along one of Oregon’s beautiful rivers with a fly rod in hand.