Back to Basics Episode 19: Building What Works in Oregon

In this episode of Back to Basics, Oregon State Representative Jeff Helfrich talks with Dee Burch, President and CEO of Advanced American Construction and Gunderson Marine, about leadership, infrastructure, workforce development, and the realities facing Oregon’s construction and manufacturing industries.Dee shares lessons from four decades in heavy construction, saving hundreds of skilled jobs, navigating regulation, and building training pipelines that give people real careers without debt. The conversation tackles ODOT, public safety, homelessness, infrastructure costs, and why common sense leadership still matters.A candid, experience-driven discussion about what it will take to get Oregon back to work.