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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 2001)
decemüer 7. 2001» i hu ¡triv ia l mews L aferriere E xtraordinaire ntoinette Laferriere has dedicated her life to helping people achieve their financial dreams. She is a horn leader and an analytical thinker— as well as a very busy woman. Between owning and managing a business and serving as newly elected president of the gay chamber of commerce, Laferriere still manages to find time to cook, ski, golf, play tennis and fly-fish. She also serves on the board of a manu facturing company and mentors a young execu tive. Where she finds time to eat, sleep and walk the dog remains a mystery. A native Oregonian, Laferriere created Griffon Financial Group out of a need for a career change hut also out of a strong desire to help people. The company, which offers financial services to indi viduals, families and businesses, has a mission to “provide excellence in retirement and investment management to help people achieve their dreams.” Laferriere’s dedication to the people she serves is admirable. She says she entered the business to bring a more upbeat, personal flair to money management, instead of allowing it to remain a chore people dread facing. “I recognize that financial management isn’t just about money,” Laferriere says. “It’s about how folks feel about the people who help them man age it. I’m honored to be trusted in that role.” Because Griffon operates independently, it is able to advise' clients without pressure or incen tives to sell proprietary products. Laferriere characterizes the company as possessing “large- firm stability, resources and expertise with small- firm personalized service and accessibility.” | they might he reluctant to share with 0 anyone else.” Laferriere is not only the presi- 1 dent of Griffon, she also leads the g Portland Area Business Assoc ia- m tion. The inclusive professional organization allows opportunities for greater success in the gay, les bian, hi and trans community through networking. Founded in 1992 with more than 100 charter members, PABA brings together people who want to build their busi nesses by forming new connections. Laferriere had been a board member since May and was elected president in August. The leader ship change happened quickly because of a death in the family of her predecessor, Mark Miller, who was forced to step down as a result. Antoinette Laferriere hopes to see tremendous growth in Although leading two organiza the gay business community despite the recession tions can be overwhelming at times, Laferriere is excited about both roles and She takes very seriously the trust that must be appreciates the opportunity to be involved. extended for a client to reach out and request “I would love [my tenure as PABA president] her services. In her experience, Laferriere says money is such a private issue, many people are to be a time when businesses grow tremendous ly, even in the face of these difficult economic not willing to discuss it with anyone. When a times,” she says. “The opportunity during [these] client comes to her for assistance, she responds times is to gain market share, and that’s what I with utmost sensitivity. “1 believe that my most valuable service is also would love to see our member businesses do.” As president of PABA and owner of one of the most intangible: access and attention,” Lafer riere says. “I strive to he readily available, listen per its member businesses, Laferriere is in a prime ceptively and skillfully address the full spectrum of position to promote networking in the commu each client’s financial concerns— including those nity. Being somewhat new to the organization, Great Wine Buys a egon Camera committed to excellence C she also brings a fresh perspective to the process of developing policies and programs. “My vision for PABA is that the organization is an integral support system for the G LB T busi ness community,” Laferriere says. “The primary way 1 see that happening is through increasing member value. We developed a member survey to poll our constituency...we will use the infor mation given to us by the membership to devel op and implement programs.” PABA is gearing up to hire an editor for its newsletter and is in the process of revamping its Web site. Laferriere is busy with all the changes but is settling into her new role quickly and easily. She also has the help of PABA Vice Presi dent Meg Grace, Secretary Larry Foltz and Trea surer Scott Ringsage. The other board of direc tors members are Joel Corcoran, Rick Edmund- son, James Giardina, Richard Matthews, Richard B. Schneider, JoEllen Shannon, Chris tine Voigt and D. Steven Witte. Laferriere and her partner enjoy golfing and camping when they can find the time, and they celebrated a commitment ceremony last March. Clearly, she is driven by the same core values that drive Griffon— integrity, excellence, part nership and abundance— as she works to strengthen Portland’s business community. J H For more information about the PORTLAND A r ea B u s i n e s s A s s o c ia t io n call 503-241 -2222 or visit the Internet site www.paba.com. SARAH L eim er t is a Portland free-lance writer. E-mail her at sclehnert@earthlink.net. o v e n tr y ' Cycle ¿V W orks 1515 N E Broad wav 287-2897 Everything Photographic We have a know ledgeable, triendlv stall helping vou find the riiiht cam era, binoculars, or photographic accessories. 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