RAIN is connecting entrepreneurs with the money they need to grow local businesses here in Douglas County, Oregon.

We’re a network of investors who believe in our community and want to grow our economy.

“Often Angel Investors are friends or mentors who see potential in an idea and decide to fund it.  In our case, we can come together as a group of committed community members and provide investor capital and resources to help a great idea get off the ground and hopefully help drive a new economic engine and jobs for our community.”

-Toby Luther, President/CEO, Lone Rock Resources

“I believe a local Angel’s network offering a source of counsel and capital to emerging new businesses can be an essential and exciting element of developing a diverse and sustainable economy in our community.”

-Paul Utz, Former CEO and Entrepreneur

“As an entrepreneur, I know that finding capital to bring that fledgling idea into the market can be a big challenge. If you’ve got a great idea and a burning desire to share it with the world, RAIN is here to help you make it happen.”

-Trevor Mauch, onCarrott

WHO IS ORGANIZING THE RAIN EFFORT?

– Greg Byrne, who is the CFO at Lone Rock, is the Managing Member of the LLC.
– Paul Utz is leading our investor recruitment.
– Lorie Harris Hancock is providing legal advice to the LLC.
– Chuck Chappell of Wicks Emmett has agreed to provide accounting services.
– The Partnership for Economic Development in Douglas County, working in cooperation with the Umpqua Business Center, is providing administrative support for the effort.

ORGANIZING THE RAIN EFFORT

Greg Byrne is the Managing Member of the RAIN LLC. Greg Byrne is the Chief Financial Officer for Lone Rock Resources, an owner and manager of timberlands and commercial real estate headquartered in Roseburg, Oregon.  Prior to joining Lone Rock Resources, Mr. Byrne was a principal of a consultancy providing companies with advisory services related to business mergers & acquisitions, strategic analysis, and financial analysis.  Mr. Byrne has served as the Chief Financial Officer for several other public and private companies, and began his career with Coopers Lybrand, now PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Paul Utz retired after 35 year career as a technologist and small business owner/CEO specializing in emerging technologies in the field of lasers and electro-optics. He is a University of Michigan engineering graduate. Paul has lived in Roseburg, with his wife Lory for 14 years, with an enduring interest and commitment to community and economic development. Past member of the USFS Rogue/Umpqua and BLM Roseburg District Resource Advisory Committees. Past member of the Jefferson Public Radio Foundation Board. Member of the Linus Oakes Retirement Center Board. Sponsor of the Marion J. Utz Memorial Nursing and Engineering Scholarship Programs at UCC. Member of the UCC Engineering Advisory Committee.

The Partnership for Economic Development in Douglas County is a membership-based corporation, with membership open to private sector businesses, public sector organizations, and others with a stake in economic development.