Oregon Governor Candidate Kerry McQuisten 4PM Monday December 06, 2021 on KWRO
ABOUT ME
BORN & RAISED IN OREGON
AN ENTREPRENEUR, NOT A POLITICIAN
NOT A SERIAL CANDIDATE
A LIFELONG REPUBLICAN
WHERE I COME FROM
I'm proud to be a seventh-generation Oregonian. My daughters are eighth-generation. Our family roots go all the way back to one of Baker City's founding families, the Campbells. I was raised on my family's cattle ranch in Bridgeport, in the southern Baker County. My grandparents, parents, sister and I lived off the grid and worked the land. I remember when my grandparents bought a Pelton wheel for the creek to generate electricity. When the creek ran dry, as it did most Augusts, we relied on the diesel generator. My childhood taught me to be self-sufficient and independent, and it taught me that our farmers, ranchers, miners and loggers are the best possible stewards of the land.
A THRIVING CAREER
I attended school in Baker County. Before graduation, my Spanish teacher gave me the opportunity to take an SAT-style test in Spanish. That test resulted in a scholarship to study at the University of Madrid, Spain. So off I went! I came back stateside and finished my B.A. in Salem at Willamette University. I was focused on International Relations (economics, poli-sci, history, German language emphasis...) and ended up with a job offer in Kawagoe, Japan, just outside Tokyo after graduation. I taught English at Kawagoe's schools, and to adults at the Honda factory. I did voiceover work on educational videos. I helped organize a large international conference with participants from all over the world gathering in Japan. My experience overseas is something I cherish, and I returned home with a deep appreciation of other cultures, including my own here in America.
After Japan, I moved to the Seattle area. I worked in the publishing industry briefly until that company relocated to Toronto. I then accepted a marketing coordinator position at a large international architecture/engineering/construction (AEC) company with offices all over the U.S., U.K. and Canada. Over the next several years, I worked up through the ranks in that industry until I eventually became Vice President of Marketing, also overseeing business development, advertising, public relations and communications. My biggest RFP-response win, and that of my staff and the engineers we put forth as a team, was a $35-million contract. I'm still in touch with many of those colleagues to this day.
In my early 30s (I'm 49 now, so do the math!) I came back to Baker City to be near family, and founded Black Lyon Publishing, LLC. While I enjoyed the AEC industry, I absolutely love books! I was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District, and featured in various magazines, business journals, and newspapers across Oregon over the years. My company has grown from "micro" into what is technically a mid-sized traditional publishing house in an industry that sees most startups fail within the first four years. My authors and I have had wonderful success, topping out multiple Amazon charts at #1, and even making the Forbes "Best of" Christmas list last year.
GETTING PERSONAL
I'm a single mom who is lucky enough to have two beautiful daughters, and remain on friendly terms with my ex. Our youngest is 10 and in fifth grade. She has never been masked, cohort-ed or divided from her friends by plexiglass. Our oldest is a college student and talented graphic designer. I'm blessed with a supportive family and a strong inner circle of friends, some of whom go back to my pre-school years! They are all firmly behind my campaign. My youngest is addicted to fishing these days, so we do that quite a bit. In my free time, I also enjoy hiking and long road trips. I currently serve as the mayor of Baker City.
AFFILIATIONS
Baker County Chamber of Commerce: Member
Baker County Republican Women: Vice President
Baker County Republican Central Committee: Elected PCP