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Baker Avionics Aims Higher with Major Expansion at Grants Pass Airport By John Oliver At the Grants Pass Airport in Merlin, a locally owned aviation business is charting a bold course toward the future. Baker Avionics LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran and Woman Owned Business, has already earned national recognition in the aviation world. Now, they’re preparing to launch an over a million-dollar expansion that promises to elevate both their operations and the local economy. Founded in 2019 by Greg and Leah Baker, Baker Avionics operates as an FAA Certified Repair Station with both Airframe and Limited Powerplant certifications. Ranked among the top 3–10% of Garmin dealers worldwide, the company specializes in avionics installation, bi-annual certifications, troubleshooting, repairs, and custom aircraft panel fabrication. They also provide mobile services for clients who need on-site work. Their reputation has taken off far beyond Southern Oregon. While they serve local pilots, their client list includes firefighting and utility helicopter companies like Marble Mountain Helicopter and Lohman Helicopter, aviation clubs up and down the West Coast, and private and corporate aircraft owners from as far away as Idaho, Washington, California, Nevada, and Arizona. Roughly 90% of their customers travel from outside the

region, making each service appointment a small economic boost for local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. The company’s CAD Panels Division has become an industry asset in its own right, designing and fabricating custom aircraft panels for customers nationwide. Many of these are shipped by mail order, but the in-house team also installs them on-site, blending precision engineering with handson craftsmanship. Equally important to the Bakers is the company’s role in workforce development. They hire locally and invest in in-house training, preparing employees for FAA licensing and long-term aviation careers. Veterans and

individuals transitioning from military service are a special focus, reflecting Greg Baker’s own service background and the company’s commitment to giving others a career runway in aviation. Now, Baker Avionics is ready for its next phase of growth. The company is pursuing a $1.2 to $1.5 million expansion to construct a new 120-by-100-foot hangar and office facility at the Grants Pass Airport. The plan includes consolidating all operations under one roof, enabling them to service larger piston and turbine aircraft as well as helicopters. The expansion would also allow their CAD Panels Division to bring powder coating and advanced manufacturing in-house,

streamlining production and adding new capabilities. Workforce training is central to the expansion plan. The new facility will not only increase capacity for apprenticeships but also introduce a formal internship program, giving aspiring aviation technicians valuable hands-on experience. By doing so, Baker Avionics aims to generate more high-skilled, well-paying jobs in Josephine County. Currently, the average installation can take six to eight weeks, and with space for only two planes, work can quickly back up. Expanding to accommodate up to eight aircraft at once would significantly boost productivity, reduce turnaround times, and ultimately put more safe, fully equipped planes back in the air. To help bring the project to life, the company requested $300,000 in Economic Development funding from Josephine County. They were awarded $150,000—an important contribution, but still only a fraction of the total cost. The Bakers are now pursuing additional funding sources to bridge the gap, remaining determined to see the expansion through to completion. The community impact could be significant. By drawing more aircraft and specialized aviation work into the area, the new facility is expected to stimulate local spending

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see MAJOR, page 5

Rep. Paul Evans Takes Helm of Oregon Legislative Veterans Caucus Ahead of 2026 Session By John Oliver The Oregon Legislative Veterans Caucus, a bipartisan body dedicated to advancing policies that benefit the state’s veterans, service members, and their families, is undergoing a leadership transition. Representative Paul Evans (D–Monmouth), a U.S. Air Force veteran with decades of military and public service experience, has been appointed as the new Co-Chair. The caucus, which brings together lawmakers from both chambers and across party lines, focuses on developing and promoting legislation aimed at improving access to health care, housing, employment, education, and other resources for Oregon’s veteran community. Evans succeeds Representative Thuy Tran (D–Portland), who is stepping back from the position to concentrate on her role as Chair of the House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans, as well as her continuing service in the National Guard. Tran, who has held the co-chair role for several years, has been recognized for her work on veteran-related issues during her tenure. Under her leadership, the caucus

advanced measures to improve access to benefits, address mental health needs, and support veterans transitioning to civilian life. She will remain an active member of the caucus, continuing to contribute her expertise to veteran policy discussions. Evans, known for his long-standing advocacy for veterans’ issues, previously served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and has been involved in numerous initiatives supporting military families. In the legislature, he has championed policies aimed at strengthening behavioral health services for veterans, improving housing stability, and ensuring equitable access to education and employment opportunities.

The leadership change comes as the caucus prepares for the 2026 legislative session. One of its primary legislative priorities will be the Veterans Supplemental Services Omnibus Bill, a comprehensive package designed to address multiple aspects of veteran well-being. Provisions in the bill include expanded behavioral health services, enhanced transition programs for service members reentering civilian life, housing stability initiatives, and measures to ensure equal access to benefits across Oregon’s diverse veteran population. Evans has emphasized that the caucus’s mission extends beyond symbolic gestures, stating that the work ahead will be measured in tangible outcomes. His approach focuses on collaborative policymaking that draws input from veterans, service organizations, and community members to ensure proposed solutions reflect real-world needs. Looking forward, the caucus also plans to strengthen its operational capacity by hiring a dedicated caucus administrator before the 2026 session. This move is intended to streamline communication, coordinate legislative efforts, and ensure that veteran-related bills receive consistent ad-

vocacy throughout the legislative process. The Oregon Legislative Veterans Caucus, composed of members from both political parties, has long served as a platform for developing consensus-based policies that transcend partisan divides. Its work covers a broad range of issues, from mental health and medical care to housing assistance and workforce development, with the overarching goal of helping veterans thrive in civilian life. Community members, veterans, and their families are encouraged to share ideas and experiences with the caucus in the coming months. According to caucus leaders, these contributions are vital in crafting policies that accurately address the challenges facing Oregon’s veteran population.