Portland Oregon newspaper serving Gateway and Parkrose neighborhoods


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Business Memos

Local businesses are the lifeblood of our community. The Mid-county Memo offers this section to our business neighbors for news, advancements, promotions, expansions and other noteworthy events to be shared with the community at large. Business Memo submissions for the April issue are due by Wednesday, March 15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. You may also mail editorial submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR 97230. To call or leave a phone message, dial 503-287-8904. The Mid-county Memo fax number is 503-249-7672.

Tire store manager works with wheels by day, pounds drums at night
K

Bob Brown Tire Center Manager Kelly Brown pounds studs into a tire.

MEMO PHOTO: TIM CURRAN

elly Brown was in the fourth grade when he picked up his first pair of drumsticks. He was in the eighth grade when he learned to use a lug wrench. Drumming and the tire business are in his blood. By day Brown is the manager of Bob Brown Tire Center, 12030 N.E. Sandy Blvd. Evenings and weekends he is the drummer for TimeRyder, a rock and roll band that plays parties and local clubs.

While the tire business is Brown’s professional life and drumming is a recreational activity he truly enjoys, he defines himself as a family guy. He and wife Tammy have been married for 17 years. They have two children. Daughter Erika is 16. Son Ross is 13. Brown said they spend lots of time together on family outings, bicycling, or doing word puzzles. They have a music room in their home that houses Kelly’s drums, a piano for Erika and Ross’s guitar.

The family connection carries over to the tire business. Bob Brown is Kelly’s dad. Kelly was introduced to the tire business from the bottom up. He recalls sweeping and mopping the floors, cleaning the bathrooms, washing shop coats, patching inner tubes and studding tires after school and on weekends. “My dad was very strict,” Brown said. “I had to do things his way. He cut me no slack. I developed a good work ethic and I try to set the same example now.” Brown learned the ropes by watching his dad and the employees, and along the way developed his own style, but is always mindful of his dad’s methods. Over time, Bob Brown Tire Center has evolved into a full service shop with mechanics on staff.

The atmosphere around the tire shop has the feel of family as well. Brown said the shop maintains a close crew of employees who have been on staff for years. He described Bob Brown Tire Center as “Big enough. We can offer the service, quality and value of a chain but keep the feel of a mom and pop operation.” He said his goal is return customers. With that in mind, he likes to get to know his customers and address them by name when they come in.

Kelly Brown plays drums in the lounge band TimeRyder at night and on the weekends, a hobby that keeps him busy.

MEMO PHOTO: TIM CURRAN

Brown’s drumming experience began in the school band at Riverside Elementary in Oak Grove. He especially enjoyed the marching band at Rowe Junior High. By high school he dropped band in favor of the opportunity to work at the tire shop. He didn’t play drums again until he spotted an ad for a used set at about the same time he and his wife were buying a house that offered room to play and practice. Several years later, coincidence and an invitation by his cousin to fill in at a church function led to Brown’s current role with TymeRyder. He has been playing with the band for a couple of years now. It seems Brown’s affinity for a family-like atmosphere extends to this aspect of his life as well. TimeRyder plays classic rock and roll and some original material. The audience at a recent performance included his wife Tammy and a few of her friends, a couple of former neighbors and a cousin or two. It is a fun time when this band gigs. Look for them in a nightclub near you.

Local bank professional recognized
Vicky Mills, assistant vice president and compliance officer of MBank, was recently awarded the Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers, a nonprofit organization sponsored by the American Bankers Association, in Washington, DC.

Mills joined MBank on February 1, 1997. She manages the compliance department of the bank and ensures the bank’s compliance with the acts, laws and regulations affecting MBank.

The CRCM designation is awarded to individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of bank regulatory compliance. To qualify for the CRCM certification, individuals must have certain levels of experience and education in the compliance profession, pass an exam and agree to abide by a code of ethics. The CRCM exam covers regulatory requirements as they relate to credit, deposits/securities, safety and soundness, information reporting, and corporate responsibility.

Financial services professionals, working through the Institute of Certified Bankers, initiated the CRCM designation and eight others in order to establish meaningful standards of knowledge in specialty areas of the financial services industry. ICB certifications formally recognize those who meet these standards as well as professional continuing education and development requirements.

“We are proud of Vicky’s dedication to excellence and of her accomplishments. She is one of only a handful of Oregon Bankers to receive this designation. Vicky’s expanding expertise exemplifies MBank’s passion for bringing a higher level of value to our customers and communities. She truly keeps our focus on quality and in everything we do,” stated Ron Shoemake, executive vice president and chief operating officer.