Community
We Are Better Together
At Cendix we take immense pride in the richness and diversity of our community. We also understand that our community does not “just happen”; it takes the concerted effort of many individuals and organizations like Cendix to keep it rich and vibrant. To that end, we want to do more than give back to the community, we want to improve it. We believe strongly enough in this idea that we have built it into our corporate values.
With that said, we also know that talk is cheap. Many voices promote these values; some even make an honest effort to get there. However, the only metric that really matters is our ability to deliver on the promise. On this page you will find a sample of some of the community activities that Cendix is involved with. Got other ideas about new and interesting ways that we can add value? Bring ‘em on! We always have time to discuss our community…
Youth Sports
Youth athletics promotes fitness, encourages teamwork, and sets the stage for a lifetime of achievement and healthy activity. Cendix is proud to be a sponsor of youth athletics through both cash donations and volunteer activities.
However, this sentiment is not new or unique to Cendix. In the “old days” every local gas station or grocery store had a wall full of bright young faces representing the teams that had helped or sponsored. Well, this is it, this is our virtual store wall…
Organizations
Stronger industries are built through cooperation and collaboration. To that end, Cendix is an enthusiastic supporter of several industry/professional organizations.
Wilson Zehr serves as the interim Executive Director for Eastern Oregon Ventures. Eastern Oregon Ventures is helping to develop and nurture the entrepreneurial eco-system in eastern Oregon by assisting with research, education, and social activities.
Wilson Zehr helped develop the entrepreneurship program at Eastern Oregon University. Wilson taught entrepreneurship and served as the faculty advisor for the Entrepreneurship Club. The club sponsored Pub Talks that featured successful entrepreneurs who were willing to share their journey. Wilson served as program coordinator and faculty mentor for the school’s participation in the statewide InventOR competition. He has also helped dozens of community partners (business, non-profit, or government) solve critical problems. Since 2015, Wilson has worked with student teams to complete more than 90 consulting projects for community partners.
Intermountain Education Service District
Wilson Zehr provides an annual online (digital) marketing session for students. The sessions highlight tools and techniques that organizations can use online. In addition, the courses cover the many career opportunities that are available to students with an interest in technology and the Internet.
Future Business Leaders of America
Wilson Zehr offered a clinic on innovation for high school students at Eastern Oregon University. He has coached students that competed in the national business pitch competition. Since 2008, Wilson has served as a judge for multiple events in the annual FBLA statewide competition.
Lake Grove Presbyterian Church
Cendix is honored to be able to contribute in a small way to the international relief efforts of Lake Grove Presbyterian Church. The church, through financial contributions, and Go Teams of church members, helps create wells for underserved communities in Africa, providing agricultural opportunities for poor rural families in Central America, and bringing medical assistant to those in need around the globe.
Lake Oswego Youth Football / Lake Oswego Little League
Wilson Zehr served as a coach and scorekeeper for Lake Oswego Little League for 10+ years. Cendix still sponsors a youth baseball team annually. Wilson served as a coach and board member for Lake Oswego Youth Football for over a decade. In his role on the board, Wilson was responsible for all referees and scorekeepers for the league.
Software Association of Oregon
Formed in 1989, the Software Association of Oregon (SAO) fostered an environment that fuels the growth of Oregon’s software industry. Members of the SAO enjoyed exceptional networking and educational opportunities, critical workforce development programs, and valuable member services. The Software Association of Oregon merged with the Portland chapter of TechAmerica to create the Technology Association of Oregon in 2011.
Wilson Zehr was an active member with the SAO since the organization was first formed. He served as an executive Board member of the SAO and as chairman for the annual fund-raising auction. Wilson remains active with Sales & Marketing special interest activities and the SAO educational foundation.
TechAmerica
TechAmerica (formerly the American Electronics Association), founded in 1943, is a nationwide non-profit trade association that represents all segments of the technology industry and is dedicated solely to helping members’ top line and bottom line. TechAmerica does this in partnership with their small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels; providing access to capital and business opportunities; and offering select business services and networking programs. TechAmerica was acquired in 2014 by CompTIA.
Wilson Zehr has served on the national Small Business Advisory Committee for the AeA. He also helped bring discount direct response advertising tools to the membership as an affiliate partner and has helped promote TechAmerica’s annual Operating Ratios survey.
Program Management Forum (PMF)
The PMF is a learning and support community for Program Managers and those interested in program management. The mission of the organization is to advance and promote the technical Program Management profession. More specifically, the PMF provides a series of interactive educational events around the topic of program management; with participants from the professional, business, and educational communities; offering expertise, interaction, and idea exchange about powerful concepts, tools, mechanisms, and best practices.
Wilson Zehr has served on the executive Board of the PMF; attends educational events hosted by the PMF; and actively networks with members of the Program Management community.
Lab2Market
The Lab2Market initiative is a collaborative partnership funded by the National Science Foundation. The goal of this organization is to deepen the commitment to commercializing novel technologies by forging networks between private-sector business expertise and world-class research at Oregon’s four primary research universities: Portland State University (PSU), Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Oregon State University (OSU), and the University of Oregon (UO).
Wilson Zehr serves as a Venture Mentor working with entrepreneurial teams to refine their technologies and business concepts.
