Oregon State University Advantage

Rita has more than 30 years of executive management, engineering and operations management, and project management experience in a diverse range of industries including steel manufacturing, building products and electronic components manufacturing, distribution and warehousing, telecommunications and software development. Over the last 10 years, Rita has specialized in startup and early phase environments with an emphasis on domestic and international opportunities in the alternative energy and renewables arena.

Rita is currently the CEO of Onboard Dynamics, an ARPA-E awardee and startup company resulting from technology originally conceived at Oregon State University – Cascades. Onboard Dynamics seeks to lower fuel costs and carbon emissions by removing barriers to driving natural gas-powered vehicles. Its product line integrates natural gas compression into automotive engines, allowing the ability to refuel from any low pressure natural gas supply line.

Rita holds a BS of Industrial Engineering degree from University of Washington and over the years has continued her education in the fields of management, mathematics, and education. She is also an active angel investor, Awesome Bend trustee, mentor and advisor to local high schools, and volunteer for regional economic development activities in Central Oregon. Before re-settling in this area, Rita and her husband traveled for 8 years through 26 countries focusing on exploration, mountaineering, sailing and diving.