January 2024 - Pac/West Lobby Group

Pac/West Lobby Group is adding to its creative communications team in 2024 with the hiring of interns Brayden Sparkman and Payton Schlag.

Brayden Sparkman and Payton Schlag

Sparkman, 19, is a sophomore at Corban University in Salem, majoring in business management. He grew up in West Salem and is a graduate of West Salem High School. Coming to Pac/West, Sparkman brings a fresh perspective and skills in project management, communications, and social media to help advocate for clients.

“I would say my biggest strength is an ability to work quickly and efficiently under pressure,” Sparkman said. “I am a problem-solver by nature, and I look forward to accelerating my professional development at Pac/West.”

When he is not at work or school, Sparkman is an avid golfer on the Corban team and enjoys playing pool and pingpong. He volunteers with the Salem-based nonprofit Darian’s Gift, assisting families and children with pediatric cancer, and the TGR Foundation, providing educational resources in underserved communities.

Schlag, 18, is currently a senior at Sprague High School in Salem. After graduation, she hopes to attend Oregon State University to study pre-med.

Schlag has learned the value of hard work, teamwork, and leadership through participation in volleyball and softball teams. She also cares deeply about mental health, enjoys painting, Star Wars, and volunteering at her local hospital.

“I am looking forward to gaining new skills at Pac/West and learning on-the-job in a professional setting,” Schlag said.

Ryan Tribbett, president of Pac/West Lobby Group, said the company’s intern program is an important part of their mission to train the next generation of business leaders.

“We are pleased to have Brayden and Payton join our team. Their knowledge of social media and new communications platforms will be a tremendous asset for our clients, and the experience they receive will serve them well as they go on to pursue their own professional careers,” Tribbett said.

The team at Pac/West Lobby Group has decades of experience advocating for diverse groups before the legislature, state agencies, and the relevant boards and commissions. We cover industries including health care, organized labor, agriculture, transportation, local governments, and more. Learn more at www.pwlobby.com.

Pac/West Lobby Group is expanding its Communications team with the hire of George Plaven, a veteran in Oregon journalism who has covered some of the state’s most important natural resource and agriculture issues over the past decade.

For the past six years George has reported for the Capital Press, writing about agriculture, energy production, forestry, local government, and legislative policy across the Pacific Northwest. His writing and reporting has been recognized over his career with multiple first place awards in the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association Better Newspaper Contest.

“George has earned the trust and respect of readers and subjects alike through careful reporting and an creative approach to storytelling. His ability to explain how the details fit into the big picture and back it up with data will serve our clients well,” said Ryan Tribbett, president of Pac/West Lobby Group. “He has a strong understanding of both rural and urban audiences and the kinds of messages that resonate.”

George has a bachelor’s of science in journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Before joining the Capital Press in 2017, he worked for the East Oregonian and the Montana Standard. He was an Oregon State University Food & Agriculture Media Fellow in 2022.

“I’ve spent my career interviewing and writing about interesting, innovative people and their work to improve their communities and industries,” said George. “I’m looking forward to helping Pac/West’s wide range of clients develop and share their stories with new audiences.”

George grew up in the Denver area and has carried a love for the outdoors with him his whole life. He enjoys hiking, fishing, and exploring the outdoors with his wife and dog. He also remains a dedicated fan of Denver sports.

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