91视频

Debbie Kitchin

Principal

InterWorks LLC

In 2006, Debbie Kitchin made a shift in her career that signaled a departure from the path she鈥檇 first set out upon with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in economics from Reed College and a master鈥檚 degree in business administration. After nearly 18 years overseeing financial management, she decided to join her husband, Jim, as co-owner of InterWorks LLC 鈥� a general contracting company that specializes in commercial renovation, tenant improvement and residential remodeling.

She has since balanced her role at InterWorks with involvement in a number of professional and community organizations.

She has served as chairwoman of the 1,800-member Portland Business Alliance, advocating for large and small businesses before the Portland City Council, Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, Oregon legislators and federal agency representatives.

She served for five years on the Business Alliance鈥檚 Small Business Development Council, and started a scholarship program for small business owners at the Small Business Development Center.

She has served as a mentor for four years with Leadership Portland. She frequently speaks to high school students about small business and entrepreneurship, and participates in the REAP program performing mock interviews for students.

Kitchin is president of the Central Eastside Industrial Council鈥檚 board of directors. She has worked on the organization鈥檚 comprehensive plan, launching the Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee in partnership with the Portland Bureau of Transportation and the Sustainability Committee to address green infrastructure in an urban industrial district.

She has been a longtime member of the Building Owners and Managers Association and is a past president of Commercial Real Estate Women Portland.

Kitchin is a member of the Marine Futures Strategic Planning Committee for the Port of Portland, the 2020 Steering Committee for Greater Portland Inc., and the Executive Steering Committee of the Oregon Business Plan.

鈥淚 enjoy it,鈥� Kitchin said. 鈥淪taying involved is the key to the future of the community. My kids are grown, so I have more time to devote to the economic community. As a general contractor, the projects (InterWorks) works on depend on a healthy economy. That鈥檚 the nexus for involvement in the community.鈥�

Kitchin is also involved with REFIT, a program that remodels homes for elderly, poor and disadvantaged people in the Portland area.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a wonderful organization,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd the stories will really touch your heart.鈥�