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About Us

Established in 1948, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce has long been rooted in the local business community. Our staff and board are all local business owners or professionals who understand the challenges and opportunities facing Washington County because we experience them firsthand.

Staff

Jacob Dufour

Executive Director

The Washington County Times

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Jacob is a lifelong Washington County resident, entrepreneur, and community advocate. Many know him as the founder and publisher of The Washington County Times, a free and rapidly growing online news site serving Salem and the surrounding area.

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His history with the Chamber goes back to 2016, when he was honored with the award of Young Entrepreneur of the Year for his work in independent filmmaking and creative business development.

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In his role as Executive Director, Jacob plans to use his knowledge of digital media and small-town marketing to strengthen connections between local businesses, organizations, and residents. His ultimate goal is to build a Chamber that brings people together, thinks outside the box, and truly helps businesses succeed in a rapidly changing world.

Board of Directors

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce is guided by a dedicated team of volunteers — our Board of Directors. These passionate leaders come from all corners of our business community, bringing together a wide range of experience and ideas to help the Chamber serve you better.

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From entrepreneurs and finance pros to marketing minds and community leaders, each Board member contributes their own unique strengths to keep the Chamber moving forward. Together, they shape smart strategies, support local businesses, and create programs that foster growth and success throughout Washington County.

Brian Helsel

Board Member

Shannon Sullivan

Vice President

Shannon Weidekamp

Board Member

Nicolas Weymouth

Board Member

Tori Lawrence

Treasurer

Accessibility Statement

Accessibility Statement

 

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce is committed to making our website accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities, in accordance with applicable law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

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We make reasonable, good-faith efforts to improve the accessibility and usability of our website and strive to align with widely recognized accessibility standards, including WCAG 2.1 Level AA, where feasible. Because accessibility is an ongoing process, some content may not yet fully meet all standards.

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This statement applies only to content under our direct control on www.washingtoncountychamber.org. We are not responsible for the accessibility practices of third-party websites, social media platforms, advertisers, or external services.

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If you experience difficulty accessing any part of our website, please contact us at:

Email: director@washingtoncountychamber.org

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Please include the page URL and a description of the issue. We will make reasonable efforts to respond and provide the information in an accessible format.

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This statement does not create contractual rights, expand legal obligations beyond those required by law, or constitute an admission of liability.

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Statement issued: March 4, 2026

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