Kara Thallon, Director of Public Affairs

Kara Thallon joined the Oregon Restaurant Association in January 2008 as support to the Vice President of Government Affairs.

As Director of Public Affairs, Kara is lead analyst of local and regulatory activities and issues. With Bill Perry, Kara represents the association and the restaurant industry before cities, counties and state regulatory agencies and commissions. As lead analyst, Thallon monitors the activities of the state agencies and commissions dealing with the hospitality industry, reviews and analyzes all proposed administrative rules and regulations, and reports these activities for internal and external use.

Kara also works on developing relationships with other associations, industry members, public service organizations and vendors to enhance the image of the association and the attainments of its goals.

Kara spent the majority of her childhood in Eugene, OR and received a Bachelor of Science from University of Oregon. After graduation she moved to Portland and currently resides in Lake Oswego. Prior to ORA Kara served as an Account Lead at VTM, Inc. and spent 7 years working for Bank of America in various roles.