Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. has selected Grants Pass business leader Kaycee Miller as the new president of its Board of Directors, placing a longtime advocate for regional business growth at the helm of one of Southern Oregon’s leading economic development organizations.
Miller, who has served on the SOREDI Board of Directors since 2020 and most recently completed two years as vice president, will now lead the organization’s board as it continues its work supporting business development, investment and economic opportunity across Jackson and Josephine counties.
A Grants Pass resident and co-owner of downtown-based Rentec Direct, Miller brings more than a decade of experience operating and growing a Southern Oregon business while maintaining a strong focus on local hiring, community involvement and regional economic development. As board president, she will oversee a board of more than 20 members representing 15 jurisdictions throughout the region, helping guide initiatives designed to assist entrepreneurs, established businesses and companies considering expansion or relocation to Southern Oregon.
SOREDI works with public agencies, private businesses and community organizations to strengthen the regional economy by providing business counseling, administrative assistance and connections to programs and resources intended to support long-term economic growth.
Miller said her experience operating a nationally recognized company from Grants Pass has reinforced the importance of organizations that help businesses succeed without requiring them to relocate to larger metropolitan areas.
“As a traded sector company, Rentec Direct is proud to be one piece of the economic ecosystem that supports and strengthens our region,” Miller said. “SOREDI helps businesses like ours access the resources and support they need to thrive and helps put Southern Oregon on the map as a business-friendly hub for companies of all sizes—without the need to relocate to major metro areas like Portland, Seattle or Silicon Valley. I’m honored to continue to support SOREDI’s mission to help strengthen the business community here in Southern Oregon, which my family and our entire team at Rentec are proud to call home.”
Miller relocated to Southern Oregon in 2012 and joined Rentec Direct’s marketing team two years later. She now serves as the company’s director of operations and marketing while co-owning the business with her husband, founder Nathan Miller.
Under their leadership, Rentec Direct has expanded into a nationally recognized property management software company while remaining headquartered in downtown Grants Pass. The company has been recognized repeatedly among the nation’s fastest-growing private businesses and has continued to emphasize local employment and investment in the Southern Oregon community.
SOREDI Executive Director Blair Sundell said Miller’s background reflects the type of leadership needed to continue advancing the organization’s regional mission.
“Kaycee’s unique combination of business experience, strategic leadership and genuine passion for Southern Oregon’s future make her an exceptional choice to lead our Board of Directors,” Sundell said. “Having helped grow a nationally operating company while remaining deeply invested in our local community, she understands what it takes for businesses to succeed here. Her leadership will be a valuable asset as SOREDI continues to advance initiatives that support entrepreneurship, attract investment and create economic opportunity throughout the region.”
Established in 1987, SOREDI serves as the federally designated Economic Development District for Jackson and Josephine counties through the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The nonprofit organization coordinates regional economic planning, develops the area’s five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and works with public and private partners to promote long-term economic vitality.
Its efforts extend beyond business recruitment by helping existing companies expand, supporting entrepreneurs launching new ventures and connecting businesses with financing opportunities, technical assistance and regional partnerships. Through collaboration with local governments, educational institutions and private industry, SOREDI seeks to strengthen Southern Oregon’s economic competitiveness while encouraging sustainable job creation throughout the region.
Miller’s appointment comes as communities across Southern Oregon continue focusing on strategies to diversify local economies, attract investment and support businesses that create family-wage employment. Her experience leading a company that has achieved national recognition while remaining rooted in Grants Pass aligns with SOREDI’s mission of demonstrating that businesses can successfully grow and compete on a national scale from Southern Oregon.
As board president, Miller will help guide the organization’s strategic direction while working alongside business leaders, elected officials and community partners to support economic development initiatives benefiting communities throughout Jackson and Josephine counties. Her leadership will also play a role in fostering collaboration among the region’s public and private sectors as Southern Oregon continues working to strengthen its business climate and expand economic opportunities for residents and employers alike.