The mission of the Advisory Council is to advise and assist the dean in strategic planning, the development and implementation of short- and long-term goals, community outreach and service, and the garnering of financial support for education, research and clinical and diagnostic care.

Advisory Council Members

Ken Austin, Newberg, Oregon

At Rain Dance Ranch in Newberg, one of Oregon’s premier llama ranches, Ken Austin breeds and raises award-winning llamas for breeding stock, show, pack animals, and pets. He is committed to breeding quality bloodlines for excellence in conformation, fiber, and temperament. Ken earned his business administration degree from OSU in 1976 and has been active with A-dec, the business founded by his parents that today is one of the largest dental equipment manufacturers in the world. Through Ken Austin Woodworking, he designs and handcrafts unique furniture and other wooden items, many of which are featured at the family's Allison Inn and Spa.

Dr. Mike Bellinghausen, Bothell, Washington

Dr. Mike "Dr. B." Bellinghausen graduated from both the Oregon State University and Washington State University Colleges of Veterinary Medicine in 1984. He owned and operated Kenmore Veterinary Hospital since 1990 until his recent semi-retirement. He has a special interest in orthopedic surgery and internal medicine cases including oncology.

He lives in Bothell with his wife Debbie, their cat Bella and two agility dogs named Jazzy and Gracie. Their daughter Stephanie is in her final year as a veterinary student at the University of Edinburgh and plans to finish her master's in wild animal biology after completing her veterinary degree. Dr. B has a passion for dog training, competition agility, fly fishing, skiing and hiking. He is currently chair of the Political Action Committee and serves on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. B. has previously served on the Admissions and Dean's Search committees for the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine and on the WICHE Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee. He has established student scholarships for underrepresented students at both Oregon State and WSU’s colleges of veterinary medicine.  

Dr. Jeff Brant, Vancouver, Washington

Dr. Jeff Brant is a co-founder of Banfield, The Pet Hospital.  As vice president for operations, he led the openings and development of the first 240 hospitals, including the acquisition of PetsMart Veterinary Services.  He was also vice president for strategic initiatives, president of Banfield International, and senior vice president of veterinary selection, all at Banfield, The Pet Hospital.  In October 2008, Jeff retired and is now a consultant.  He received his bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine from OSU in 1982, and received his DVM from OSU in 1985.  He also holds an M.B.A. from Duke University's Global M.B.A. program.  Jeff is an avid hunter. 

Rebecca Camden, Corvallis, Oregon

Ms. Camden is known for building back office functions for leading technology-driven organizations in times of significant change.  She led the restructure of operational accounting functions at AT&T Wireless following its spin-off from AT&T. She was responsible for building the accounting team for Expedia, Inc., following the spin-off of the travel group (Expedia.com, Hotels.com, TripAdvisor, Hotwire) from IAC in 2005.  She rebuilt the accounting functions for CHC Group Ltd. following the predecessor company being taken private by First Reserve in preparation for an IPO and public debt offerings.  

She has a proven track record as a decision maker and is a builder and fixer of global accounting functions with a pragmatic approach to people and process in challenging circumstances including:  meeting public company reporting requirements, changing GAAP reporting, mergers/acquisitions, downsizings.  

In July 2015, Ms. Camden retired from the role of Chief Accounting Officer of CHC Group, Ltd., a global service provider to the offshore oil and gas industry and a provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul services for helicopter operators.  During her tenure, CHC Group went public, listing on the NYSE.  Prior to this role, Ms. Camden served as the Vice President of Finance/Accounting Operations at Expedia, leading its worldwide operational accounting functions.  Ms. Camden is a respected leader and is known for recruiting and building accounting teams and implementing structure, goals, objectives, policies, process and procedures, while improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the accounting function in public companies.  Ms. Camden is a respected decision maker, change agent and mentor with a reputation for building strong teams and improving communication and collaboration. 

Prior to her tenure at Expedia, Ms. Camden served as Vice President of Finance with AT&T Wireless.  Her expertise in process improvement resulted in significant cost savings and ongoing cost containment and led to her successfully reorganizing, centralizing, and upgrading accounting operations following the wireless carrier’s spin-off from AT&T.  

Ms. Camden is committed to board service.  She is Trustee at the Oregon State University Foundation where she serves on the Campaign Steering Committee.  Additionally, she serves on Oregon State University’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine Dean’s Advisory Council.  She is a board member with the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington where she is Board Treasurer and the Finance Committee Chair.  She is Treasurer of the board of the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence (“CARDV”), a Corvallis non-profit serving survivors of domestic violence, and she is Scholarship Committee Chair for the Zonta Club of Corvallis.  

Ms. Camden is a 1979 graduate of Stanford University with a degree in Economics.

Sharon Harmon, Portland, Oregon

Sharon Harmon is the President and CEO of the Oregon Humane Society in Portland. Since 1868, the OHS has sheltered abandoned animals, fought cruelty and neglect, and worked to build a caring, compassionate community. In 2007, the OHS collaborated with the College of Veterinary Medicine to establish the Animal Medical and Learning Center, a model shelter medicine program that provides clinical training to fourth-year veterinary students in the areas of primary medical and surgical care. Since that time over a thousand veterinary students have graduated from the program. Sharon received her bachelor’s degree in zoology from OSU in 1981 and holds a certificate in non-profit business management from Johns Hopkins University. Sharon is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Welfare and is a credentialed Certified Animal Welfare Administrator. She received the American Veterinary Medical Association’s national Humane Award in 2008.  

Stanley D. Stearns, Jr., Gig Harbor, Washington

Stan Stearns is founder and president of Valco Instruments Co. Inc., a leading designer and manufacturer of valves and fittings for precision analytical, biomedical and biocompatible instrumentation. Stan is also the founder of The Gabriel Institute, named after his beloved Saint Bernard who lost his battle with osteosarcoma in 2008. The institute supports development of new treatments for cancer. Stan has a BS degree from Florida State University, with graduate studies in chemistry. He is the holder of numerous patents and author of many articles in the field of analytical instrumentation. He is a member of the board of directors and his wife, Judy, is the secretary-treasurer of Kitsap Dog Parks, Inc., an organization that works to establish off-leash dog parks.

Dr. Connie White, Portland, Oregon

Dr. Connie White joined the Advisory Council in fall 2014. She is especially interested in building better bridges between the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine and the Portland veterinary community. She also looks forward to encouraging more research and teaching focus on primary care. Dr. White earned her PhD in genetics from Oregon State University in 1995 and graduated with a DVM from Oregon State in 1997. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics while working in companion animal primary care in Portland. She is interested in evidence-based medicine in primary care populations. She is also an avid cyclist and cross country skier.