Deanna Thrall, Executive Director Harney County Chamber of Commerce

"There is always something new to learn or do at the Chamber. I like meeting new people and helping to make my community better. My absolute favorite thing about working at the Chamber is getting to tell visitors  about all the cool places in Harney County. Living here, we sometimes forget or don’t notice the beauty that is right in front of us. We really do live in a pretty cool place!" Deanna Thrall is the Executive Director of the Harney County Chamber of Commerce where she promotes and supports local businesses and events as well as tourism for Harney County.

Deanna was born in Harney County. "I lived in town until I was in third grade, and then we moved to the south end of the county, where my dad took care of the county roads." After high school, Deanna made Walla Walla, Washington home for 11 years while she went to school and started a family. 

After returning to Harney County she worked at the Harney District Hospital. “A colleague invited me to participate in LCAC (Local Community Action Council). This is a group that is responsible for trying to help the hospital and clinics meet metrics for the Oregon Health Plan. While on this committee, I partnered with several community organizations to put on an activity fair for the community. As a result of this collaboration, I was encouraged  to apply for a position as a Community Health Worker at Symmetry Care. This job allowed me to connect individuals in the community with needed resources. I worked there for four years." In 2021, I began working at the Harney County Chamber. Working at the Chamber of Commerce allowed me to continue to help people in a different way.” 

Deanna remembers when the mill was operative and Burns and Hines had many flourishing businesses. "I would love to see more businesses and industry developed from within Harney County. As a community we have to support our own and strive to fill in the gaps. It would be nice if we didn’t have to go out of town or online to get items that we need."

With Deanna's role with the Chamber she's an active partner with the Biz Harney Opportunity Collaborative. [Biz Harney exists to help rural Harney County businesses start, grow and succeed while also helping to build a thriving business environment.]  "It feels like Biz Harney is always looking for gaps or needs that need to be filled. They come together to figure out how to fill those gaps or needs. One person may not have the answer, but together we can share resources and knowledge and often come up with solutions. At our meetings I get to learn what other organizations are doing and how I can work with them. I like that we are able to support each other."

Deanna is a busy Executive Director and mom with four children, ages 16, 17, 21, and 23. In her free time she enjoys gardening and doing home improvements.