Valerie Yost, Author at BrooksResources.com

From Planner to Resident: A Conversation with Dale Van Valkenburg

For nearly 20 years, Dale Van Valkenburg has helped shape some of Bend’s most recognizable neighborhoods as an urban planner with Brooks Resources. With more than three decades of experience in Central Oregon, Dale has worked on some notable westside projects including NorthWest Crossing, Tree Farm, and most recently, Discovery West. Today, he’s not just planning communities for a living; he’s living in one he planned. We sat down with Dale to talk about… more >

Kirk Schueler Featured on The Agency Bend Podcast

Kirk Schueler Featured on The Agency Bend Podcast Our President and CEO, Kirk Schueler, President, was recently interviewed by The Agency Bend Podcast host Chelsea Ortega. In this conversation, Kirk delves into the story behind the Discovery West development, as well as Bend’s evolving landscape, unpacking the economic, social, and community-driven forces shaping its future. Enjoy the conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzFRpPTa57Y… more >

Board Member Spotlight: Gene Lynch

Gene Lynch, Brooks Resources Corporation board member As part of our ongoing series of board member spotlights, we are pleased to introduce Gene Lynch, who has been a board member since 2008. Q: What is your background or history with BRC that led or drew you to become a board member? A: I was lucky enough to marry Leslie Hollern in 1986 in Bend and having visited over the past 40 years have… more >

Brooks Resources Corporation of Bend Receives 2025 Community Applause Award from Oregon Bankers Association and Oregon Business

From left to right: First Interstate Bank Market President Amy Theuma; Brooks Resources Corporation team members Christi Haynes, contributions administrator, Meghan Hall, controller, and Valerie Yost, director of marketing; and Lynn Spinoglio, commercial relationship manager at First Interstate Bank and the award nominator. The Oregon Bankers Association (OBA), in partnership with Oregon Business Magazine, has announced Bend-based real estate developer Brooks Resources Corporation as the recipient of the 2025 Community Applause Award. The award, which… more >

Mike and Sue Hollern Honored by Oregon Historical Society

Mike and Sue Hollern were recognized by the Oregon Historical Society as 2025 Oregon History Makers at an awards event at the Portland Art Museum. The annual awards recognize individuals and organizations that are positively shaping the history, culture, and landscape of Oregon. Left to right: Valerie Yost, Mike Hollern and Jade Mayer of Brooks Resources Corporation As chairman of Brooks Resources, Mike Hollern has been… more >

Board Member Spotlight: Conley Brooks, Jr.

Last quarter, we sat down with board member Colin Brooks and this quarter we met up with his father, Conley Brooks, Jr. who has been a Brooks Resources board member for 4 decades. In this interview, Conley shares his background and some of his family’s legacy with us. Q: What is your background or history with Brooks Resources that led or drew you to become a board… more >

The Beauty and Importance of Parks

Why Parks and Open Spaces Matter—And How We’re Building Them Into Every Neighborhood At Brooks Resources, we’ve long believed that great neighborhoods aren’t just built with homes—they’re built with heart. And one of the most vital elements of that heart is access to parks and open space. In Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND), it’s a core principle to ensure that every resident lives within walking distance of green space. This isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about health, connection,… more >

Board Member Spotlight: Colin Brooks

This is the first in a series of Brooks Resources Corporation (BRC) board member spotlights we will be presenting over the coming months. These features will share the personal side of our leadership and add to our rich history and story. We recently sat down with Colin Brooks, who has been a board member since 2013. He shared some of his story and his family’s legacy with us. Q: What is your background… more >

Reimagining Bend’s Core: A Strategic Shift Toward Investment

As Bend’s Core Area continues to evolve, Brooks Resources remains committed to supporting thoughtful urban renewal and long-term community growth. From identifying and reducing key barriers to unlocking private investment, Bend’s Core Area is facing a moment of opportunity. Dale Van Valkenburg, our Director of Planning and Vice Chair of Bend’s Core Area Advisory Board (CAAB), recently weighed in on this pivotal moment for the district. The CAAB has approved a new… more >

Living With Wildfire

The Bend lifestyle has it all–stunning Cascade peaks, meandering rivers and clear, blue lakes. A thriving arts and culture scene, world-class dining, even a brewery or twenty. It’s no wonder we’ve found ourselves at the top of lists on everything from Outside Magazine to Forbes. But to live in Bend is also to live in a community susceptible to wildfire. It’s an inevitable part of our ecosystem and a healthy and natural way for forests to regenerate. It can’t be 100% prevented, and… more >

Events: The Great Community Builders

As real estate developers, it’s easy to think about the physical, tangible elements that go into building a neighborhood or community. We do it every day. Street Design? Check. Infrastructure? Check. Engineering? Check. Geotechnical testing? Check. But what about the intangible things that encourage social interaction among neighbors and, you know, build community. There are many physical ways to do that of course. Wide… more >

Mike Hollern Shares His List of 10 Bend Favorites

New to the area with a growing appreciation for this community, it’s been eye-opening for me to learn about the people who’ve helped shape Bend into what it is today. One of those people is Mike Hollern, chairman of the Brooks Resources Corporation board of directors, and a visionary whose leadership and long-standing commitment to thoughtful development has left a lasting mark on Central Oregon. In my role as the new Marketing Intern at Brooks Resources, I had the… more >

Raising Walls, Building Futures: Women’s Build Week in Bend

In May 2025, a spirited crew of women came together to raise the walls of new homes in Bend’s Daly Estates neighborhood. It was all part of Women Build Week, a Habitat for Humanity initiative that supports affordable housing while shining a spotlight on the essential role women play in building stronger communities. We assembled a team of women from Brooks Resources and Taylor Brooks – along with a few male colleagues… more >

Brooks Resources’ First Project in Central Oregon, Black Butte Ranch, Celebrates its 55th Anniversary

As Black Butte Ranch celebrates its 55th anniversary, summer is the perfect time to reflect on its origin as Brooks’ first project in Central Oregon, its evolution, and its enduring legacy. Here’s a look at how it came to be. In the 1960s, Brooks-Scanlon managers decided to expand the company operations from the timber business to recreational and residential property development. Brooks Resources Corporation was created as a subsidiary to explore this vision. more >

Valerie Yost Presents at ULI Northwest Transformative Projects Event in Portland

Valerie Yost, our Director of Marketing, recently spoke at the ULI Northwest Transformative Projects event in Portland. The event brought together industry leaders to share visionary projects that are redefining communities. Valerie’s presentation focused on Discovery Corner, one of seven standout projects featured in the event. Notably, Discovery Corner is the only project selected from outside the Portland metro area, showcasing its significance in the region’s… more >

Brooks Resources Celebrates Women’s History Month with Discovery West

In honor of Women’s History Month, Brooks Resources is proud to highlight Discovery West, our women-centric neighborhood development. As part of this initiative, we have named the streets within the community after inspiring Women of Discovery—trailblazers who have made significant contributions across fields such as science, medicine, astronomy, exploration, and beyond. Their remarkable achievements continue to shape the world, leaving a lasting legacy that inspires future generations of… more >

Brooks Resources’ New Contributions Administrator: Christi Haynes

Christi Haynes, our new Contributions Administrator, has been with Brooks Resources since 1999. She has been instrumental to the success of the award-winning NorthWest Crossing community since its inception, assisting residents and tenants, and managing the Architectural Review Committee. She is now the Builder Relations Manager for all Brooks Resources projects, including the company’s newest development, Discovery West, as well as our new Contributions Administrator for Brooks Resources. She took on… more >

Mike and Sue Hollern Honored by Oregon Historical Society Named 2025 “Oregon History Makers”

We could not be more pleased or proud that our own Mike and Sue Hollern have been named Oregon Historical Society (OHS) 2025 “Oregon History Makers,” along with Tony Hopson, Sr., Pat Reser, and Jordan Schnitzer. They will be honored on October 5 at OHS’s annual gala. Those honored were selected for their many contributions which have positively shaped the cultural landscape of Oregon. Of Mike and Sue, the OHS said, “Few have… more >

Thanking Longtime Brooks Employee, Barb Hess, For Her Years of Dedication!

Congratulations and a heartfelt thank you to Barb Hess, who is retiring from Brooks Resources after 42 years! She has been a highly valued member of our team, and while we are happy for her, we are all sad to see her go. Her office is right at the top of the stairs at our headquarters – the perfect spot for greeting everyone with her warm smile and sparkle in her eye. She will be greatly missed!… more >

“Crossroads” Roundabout Sculpture Installed at Columbia and Colorado Avenues

One of the newest sculptures in Bend’s public art collection was recently placed at the roundabout located at Colorado Avenue and Columbia Street. Created by Albuquerque artist Karen Yank, the piece, named “Crossroads,” is crafted from Corten and stainless steel. Yank said that her piece was designed to honor the visionary individuals who transformed Bend from a historic lumber mill town into a vibrant hub of art and culture. Her design reflects Bend’s timber heritage,… more >

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