The RIVER

The RIVER (Regional Intercommunity Venue for Economic Renewal) is a 501(c)(3) nonsectarian public benefit corporation.

While we were launched by a church — like countless hospitals, nursing homes, and other social service entities throughout the U.S. — The RIVER serves all people for the purpose of the economic redevelopment of the McKenzie River corridor. We adhere to all the nondiscrimination policies of the federal Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC).

Our Vision

Our vision is for the McKenzie Valley to rebuild and regrow as a vibrant and sustainable community.

Our Mission

The RIVER is committed to serving the McKenzie Valley region by:

  • providing residents opportunities to connect to each other, to information, and to resources.
  • creating a multi-venue facility that serves as a hub for locals, as well as a destination and economic driver, attracting business travelers and tourists.
  • developing a sustaining source of grant funding to businesses and individuals who face ongoing and unique challenges to reestablishing their lives in our fire-ravaged region.

“Sight is seeing things as they are.
Vision is seeing what can be.”

Doug Fairrington
President | CEO

Doug Fairrington is one of the original founders and the visionary of The RIVER. This unique model stems from a culmination of his broad bandwidth of leadership roles representing over 25 years’ experience in nonprofit start-up and formation, organization development consulting, and leadership coaching. He also has a background in the construction business.

Doug’s entrepreneurial spirit triggered the vision for this multi-venue model as an economic bolster for the McKenzie Valley, a rural community that experienced a wildfire catastrophe in September 2020.

He is committed to serving his community. He serves as a mentor, a teacher, and a spiritual growth coach. He also serves on the board of the McKenzie Valley Long-Term Recovery Group of Lane County, Oregon.

Doug and his wife, Cheri, have two adult children and three grandchildren. He enjoys being with his wife Cheri, individual adventures with his adult children, floor time with the grandkids, hunting, fishing, whitewater rowing, riding his e-mountain bike off-road, and all things BBQ’d.

Our Partners

Westby Associates is a regional consulting firm serving nonprofit organizations, focused on capital campaigns in the Northwest.

Turning West specializes in assisting nonprofits with the organizational structures, systems, processes, and leadership tools needed to succeed.