OBA Staff

Ryan Deckert, President
ryan@oba-online.org

Ryan has served as OBA’s President since 2007 and is in charge of strategic planning, organizational management and is the primary spokesperson for the organization.  Prior to coming to OBA, Ryan served for six years as a state senator, where he chaired the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee, and four years as a state representative, where he represented parts of Beaverton and the Portland neighborhoods of Garden Home and Raleigh Hills.  To access Ryan’s full bio, please click here.

Kelly O’Brien, Vice President of Operations & Public Affairs
kelly@oba-online.org

Kelly, who began working at OBA in the summer of 2010 as Director of Public Affairs, manages OBA’s communications efforts, membership, meetings, board relations, and events.  Her role has expanded to cover operations management and strategic planning as well.  Prior to OBA, Kelly worked at a communications firm in SE Portland, where she specialized in coalition building & management, public relations, and grassroots campaigns.

Sarah Pope, Legislative Director
sarah@oba-online.org

Sarah came to OBA after seven and a half years with the advocacy group Stand for Children, where she started as a community organizer and most recently served as the Oregon Acting Executive Director.  At OBA, Sarah is responsible for the development of OBA’s Legislative Agenda, initiative proposals, and relevant public policies through OBA’s policy committees and the Board of Directors.  She is also primarily responsible for managing relations with Legislators, the Governor’s office, and key constituencies.

Elizabeth Howe, Senior Policy Analyst
elizabeth@oba-online.org

Elizabeth joined us in April, 2010 as Senior Policy Analyst.  Before coming to OBA, she worked at Willamette University and in the Oregon Legislature as Chief of Staff to Senator Ginny Burdick.  At OBA, Elizabeth manages our 6 public policy committees and advocates for the OBA Legislative Agenda in the halls of the Capitol.