Rita has over 30 years of executive management, engineering and operations management, and project management experience in a diverse range of industries. She recently handed over the CEO leadership baton of Onboard Dynamics after 11 years at the helm after co-founding the company from technology that originated at Oregon State University – Cascades. Rita specializes in early phase and high growth environments which focus on global opportunities in the energy and environmental sectors.
Rita holds a BS of Industrial Engineering degree from the University of Washington and over the years has continued her education in the fields of management, mathematics, and education. In 2017 and 2019, Rita was selected by the US State Department to represent the United States at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (India and The Netherlands). Rita is a voting member of the STEM Investment Council for the State of Oregon Chief Education office and is an Advisory Board member for the Oregon State University Advantage Accelerator. Rita is also a mentor and advisor to local high schools, and a volunteer for regional economic development activities in Central Oregon. Before re-settling in Central Oregon in 2011, Rita and her husband traveled for 8+ years through 26 countries focusing on exploration, mountaineering, sailing, and diving.