EMERGE features Comcast exec

Yesterday, emerging and established business and civic leaders gathered at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt to hear from David Manougian, General Manager of Comcast SportsNet Northwest. Manougian’s varied and interesting career path provided an intriguing look into how success comes from doing what you enjoy and simply focusing on doing your job well. Manougian, who has worked in marketing and sales for E&J Gallo Winery and Nike Golf, led the Golf Channel to success and is now the General Manager of Comcast SportsNet Northwest.

Manougian also spoke passionately about company culture, saying “Companies need to have a culture to build effective teams. The culture needs to be palpable, people need to be able to eat, feel and touch it.” Building a brand and company culture is also the most important lesson that Manougian has learned; he emphasized that sometimes deciding what NOT to do is just as important to branding as what you are doing.

Sports broadcasting veteran shares career insight and advice

March’s EMERGE Exclusive gives you the opportunity to hear from a sports broadcasting veteran! David Manougian, General Manager of Comcast SportsNet will talk about the progression of his career from Director of golf sales and marketing for Nike to President and CEO of the Golf Channel to launching Comcast SportsNet Northwest. At this EMERGE Exclusive, you’ll get the chance to network with emerging and established business and civic leaders as well as speak directly with the speaker and ask him questions. Come hear how this Portland native views leadership and community involvement!

When: March 29, 2011 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: TBD
Series Sponsors: Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt and Regence BlueCross BlueShield

Register now>>

EMERGE program has something for everyone—snowshoeing and a golf expert!

The dusting of snow Portland received recently was not enough for the Portland Business Alliance's EMERGE group. To get their fill, 20 emerging business and civic leaders boarded a Raz Transportation bus and headed for Government Camp on Mt. Hood. The group spent the day snowshoeing through the woods and networking over huckleberry pie and locally brewed beer.

Next Adventure and NW Discoveries supplied equipment and excellent guide service. Most of the group had never experienced snowshoeing but they were quickly immersed as the guides led everyone off trail, up hill, in knee deep powder. After a few hours of hiking under clear blue sky and with exquisite views of Mt. Hood, the group met at Huckleberry Inn for a lunch buffet and huckleberry pie. Following lunch, some trekked back out for more snowshoeing, while others grabbed sleds and headed for the hills.

Before heading back to Portland the group rendezvoused at Charlie's, a local pub, which serves beer from Mt. Hood Brewing Co, a local favorite. The day ended with the bus ride home, good conversation and lots of free giveaways from Next Adventure.

The Alliance’s EMERGE Steering Committee is hard at work planning more Excursions that will surely provide more excitement and networking opportunities—stay tuned! The third annual summer raft trip is also in the planning stages. Watch for a Save the Date!

If you missed the snow shoe trip, there are more EMERGE events coming up. The next Exclusive will feature David Manougian, General Manager for Comcast SportsNet Northwest and former CEO of the golf channel. That will be on March 29 at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

EMERGE website>>

2010 EMERGE Deschutes River Raft Trip

2010 EMERGE raft trip, originally uploaded by Portland Business Alliance.

Last year's summer EMERGE Excursion was fun and a great opportunity for networking. Don't miss the winter Excursion, snowshoeing on Mt. Hood, coming up on February 25! See below for more information and to sign up.

EMERGE program takes you on a snowshoeing excursion at Government Camp!

Ever wanted to try snowshoeing or just looking for a reason to get out and play in the snow? Here’s your chance!

The EMERGE program organizes two outdoor excursions per year, providing you with the opportunity to network with emerging and established business and civic leaders in a fun and relaxed atmosphere while enjoying an outdoor adventure. On Friday February 25, participants will enjoy a day of snowshoeing and socializing at Government Camp on Mt. Hood.

Excursion Details and Registration >>

This snowshoeing trip is open to all skill levels. Raz Transportation will take the group up to the mountain, allowing people to relax and get to know each other during the drive. Under the direction of experienced guides from Next Adventure, participants will snowshoe together in the morning. Lunch with be served at the historic Huckleberry Inn. In the afternoon, you’ll have multiple options for exploring the mountain. Continue on another snowshoe tour, visit the shops, pubs, art galleries and museum of Government Camp, or try one of the other activities available in the area, such as tubing.*

*If you choose to try one of the other activities in the afternoon (such as tubing) you are responsible for any additional costs.

University of Oregon president speaks to EMERGE participants

The January EMERGE Exclusive featured University of Oregon President, Richard Lariviere. President Lariviere shared insight into his unique careers in the IT industry and higher education, as well as his extensive travels to India and other locations in Asia and Europe. He talked about choosing a career in education because of his desire to help students get a quality education, stating, “I am passionately interested in preserving public higher education in the United States.”

Attendees had the opportunity to ask President Lariviere a number of questions as well as talk with him after the conclusion of the formal program. To date, Alliance members have gotten to meet with seven established leaders in the Portland region from Portland Trail Blazer Chief Operating Officer Sarah Mensah to NW Natural CEO Gregg Kantor. If you have ideas for who you would like to meet, contact Mirabai Vogt at mvogt@portlandalliance.com.

The next EMERGE Exclusive will feature David Manougian, General Manager for Comcast SportsNet Northwest, on March 29.

Check out the EMERGE website for event updates and information.

December's EMERGE Exclusive provides a lesson on leadership

Charles Wilhoite, Managing Director of Willamette Management Associates, spoke to a crowded room about his journey toward becoming the successful business and civic leader he is today. In a first-ever collaboration between the Alliance’s EMERGE program and the Urban League’s Young Leaders program, a diverse crowd gathered at Portland Prime to hear from Wilhoite. If you didn't make it to this great event, check out the podcast below to hear what you missed.

Raised on an Indian Reservation in Arizona, Wilhoite spoke about his experience growing up as a minority among minorities. He discussed how this encouraged him to get involved in his community at a young age and how leadership influenced his youth. “Leadership is about opportunity and taking advantage of that opportunity,” said Wilhoite. Wilhoite stressed the importance of taking initiative; if you seek leadership or a mentor, then “go out and adopt someone, don’t wait for someone to adopt you,” said Wilhoite. “Realize that everyone is approachable.”