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.
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