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Sandra Van Handel Suran

Professional Experience:

• The Suran Group, CEO, 1990–Present
  Consulting firm specializing in comprehensive change management for small and large companies and organizations including strategic plan assistance, organization restructuring, process and system development and improvement, team building and management coaching.
  
  
• State of Oregon Small Business Advocate, 1988–1989
  Loaned Executive. Led development of small business strategic plan; market research; supervised implementation of small business programs including education and funding resources; led establishment of small business department for State of Oregon including information systems, development and leadership of small business legislative package.
  
  
• KPMG Peat Marwick (Partner), 1985–1988
  Audit and Consulting Partner. Served on national small business steering committee.
  
  
• Suran & Company, CPAs (Founding Partner), 1977–1985
  Auditor; forensic accounting and expert witness; consultant on strategic and operational planning; development of business plans, financing alternatives, organizational strategies and structures; new business acquisition and business sale assistance; financial and general management information systems assistance for small and mid-size businesses and not-for-profit organizations.
  
  
• Sandra A. Suran, CPA (Sole Proprietorship), 1974–1977
  Tax, accounting and business consulting
  
  
• Dant, Suran & Company, CPAs (CPA/Senior Accountant), 1970–1974
  Tax, accounting and business consulting
  
  
• George E. Mack, CPA (Accountant), 1967–1969

Public Boards:

• Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Portland Branch – Past Member, Board of Directors 1985-1990; Vice Chair, 12th District Advisory Council on Small Business and Agriculture 1985-1990; Co-Chair, National Conferences on Small Business and Agriculture, 1986, 1987, 1988
  
  
• Oregon Mutual Insurance Company – Past Member, Board of Directors
  
  
• Business Banking Corporation – Past Organizing Director (Subsequently acquired by the U.S. National Bank of Oregon)
  
  
• Oregon FAIR Plan (State Insurance Regulatory Board), Past Chair – 1st non-insurance Board member and Chair

Professional Activities:

• American Institute of CPAs (AICPA):
  
  • Foundation Board of Trustees, 1997–2000
    
  • Special Committee on Assurance Services, 1994–1996
  • Board of Directors, 1989–1992
    
  • Audit Committee, 1989–1992
    
  • Technical Issues Committee, Founder/ Chair, 1980–1983
    
    
• National Association of State Boards of Accountancy
  
• Enforcement Committee, 2008–Present
• Past Chair Advisory Council, 2001– Present
• Present President/ Chair of Board of Directors, 1984–1985 – 1st Woman Chair
• Board of Directors, 1981–1985
  
  
• Oregon State Board of Accountancy, Chair 1981–1984 – 1st Woman Chair
  
  
• Oregon Society of CPAs, Member, 1972–Present
  Past Chair, Numerous Committees
  
  
• Institute of Management Consultants, Member, 2008–Present

Civic and Community Activity Highlights:

• Oregon Paleo Lands Institute, Vice Chair and Board Member, 2007–Present
  
  
• Brain Institute, Advisory Council, Providence Health System of Oregon, 2009–Present
  
  
• Washington County Museum, Steward, 1987–Present; Chair, Strategic Planning, 2008-2009
  
  
• University Club of Oregon, Foundation Board of Trustees, 2000–2003
  
  
• Professional Services Council of Oregon, Founding Chair, Executive Committee, 1994–2003
  
  
• Walk of the Heroines, Board of Directors, 1999–2002
  
  
• Oregon Symphony- Member, Board of Directors, 1994–1999
  
  
• Japan-America Society of Oregon- Member, Board of Directors, 1987–1998
  
  
• Better Business Bureau of Oregon- Vice Chair, Board of Directors, 1990–1996
  
  
• Metro Portland 2040 Policy Advisory Committee, 1993–1994 – One of two citizen members
  
  
• St. Vincent’s Hospital & Medical Center- Past Chair, Advisory Board of Directors, 1985–1991
  
  
• University of Portland- Past Member, Board of Regents, 1987–1991; Past Board Chair, National Alumni Association, 1979–1983
  
  
• Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce – President and Board of Directors, 1977–1981

Honors and Awards

• Distinguished Alumnus, School of Business Administration, University of Portland, 2009
  
  
• Distinguished Service to the City of Portland Award, Rotary Club of Portland, 1998
  
  
• Partner in Residence, University of Oregon, 1990
  
  
• Abigail Scott Duniway Award for Improving the Status of Women in Oregon (Women in Communications), 1989 – 1st Business Woman Recipient
  
  
• White Rose Award for Outstanding Women in Oregon (March of Dimes), 1987
  
  
• Service to the Accounting Profession Award, American Women’s Society of CPAs of Oregon, 1986
  
  
• National Small Business Advocate of the Year, Small Business Administration (SBA), 1983
  

Education

• Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, University of Portland, 1968

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