Taking a Seat at the Table: Linda Pearce

Name, title, and organization: Linda Pearce, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Tillamook County Creamery Association

Responsibilities: I lead the financial function, including financial planning and analysis, treasury, risk management, accounting, information technology, and strategic planning, for the 109-year-old company with net sales over $800 million. Tillamook is a very dynamic, fast-paced, growing company. We are constantly evaluating a number of long-term strategic projects.

I am passionate about growing businesses and how the financial guidance can help the leadership team make good decisions. Over the years, I have developed the skill of identifying business patterns. This ability allows me to provide insights to help take a company to higher levels of profitability and sustained growth.

Three tips for women to succeed in business

Develop an expertise in something you love. Tap into your innate skills and become an expert. Get the education and experience as you grow your career. Self-awareness is essential to finding the career path you would like to pursue. You won't see the whole picture at first, but over the years, it will unfold. You may just see one potential next step or next decision. Use all your instincts to make choices that feel right for you. This will allow you to thrive in your career.
You can be an accomplished, successful businesswoman and also raise healthy, well-adjusted children. At times, you may need the support of family, neighbors, and outside help, and it's actually a strength to realize this and get the support in place so all areas of your life will thrive.
Learn to develop yourself in all areas of personal development. The more you develop yourself, the more equipped you become to be a better leader. Read all kinds of books that interest you. Learn something new often. Set goals and understand what it takes to overcome obstacles. You will become a better person and a better leader.

Personal mission statement: Give more than you get. Bring more value to your organization and constantly try to reach higher standards.

Favorite quote: "If you think you can or you think you can't, you will be right. The power of your mind is one of your biggest assets. Use it to your advantage. Do some things that are such a stretch they scare you, and you'll realize believing in yourself gives you a huge advantage."

First job: As a child, I was already thinking about how I could earn money. We asked a neighbor if we could pick her flowers and sell them to our other neighbors. She said yes, and we launched our first business at age five. It was the perfect business model. Cost of goods was zero. The work of picking flowers was enjoyable, AND we made 100 percent profit. After my parents bought land and built a house in a rural area, we all picked berries in the summers in the mornings, and in high school I worked at a small restaurant in the afternoons. I also gave guided trail rides at a summer camp for several years to earn money. I had the best jobs back then!

Guilty pleasure: I am very fond of resort living, sunny weather, and long family vacations.

Best live concert experience: Paul McCartney, a few years ago at a summer concert.

Favorite tradition: As a family we have participated in the Pacific Crest Sports Festival in Sunriver, Oregon, every year, and we have a long history of spending time in Hawaii during the winter holidays.

Favorite Portland-area restaurant: There are so many wonderful restaurants in our city. Some of my favorites are Tasty & Alder, Irving Street Kitchen, Le Bistro in Dundee, and La Rambla in McMinnville.

Best weekend activity: Playing with my granddaughter Kennedy. She has been such an incredible blessing to our lives. I also like unplugging in the countryside, watching the sun come up, listening to the birds sing, watching deer in a field, training hard for an athletic event, and creating an amazing dinner together with friends and family.

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