07/18/2025
Let me begin by saying I have the highest regard for Attorney General Dan Rayfield and the Oregon Ethics Commission.
This week I was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed against Inland Development Corporation (Inland), Windwave Technologies (Windwave), its five private board members, and three public “disinterested replacement board members”. In this suit, Jill Parker, Richard Devin and I are specifically named as the 3 “disinterested replacement board members”.
The crux of the lawsuit is five owners of Windwave purchased specific assets of Inland for less than market value; and, therefore, our Attorney General seeks to recoup the difference between the sales price of the assets and what he believes is their true market value and then return the cash proceeds to Inland.
The disinterested replacement board members are included in the lawsuit because the Attorney General argues we should have been more diligent in seeking a higher sales price.
So, what is a disinterested board member?
A disinterested board member is “one who has no personal or financial stake in a particular decision or transaction being considered by the board. By definition, a disinterested board member is free from conflicts of interest, allowing each to act solely in the best interest of the organization they serve.”
I am genuinely disinterested. I do not own a single share of Windwave stock. I have never received any funds from Windwave. Inland Development has never given me so much as a ham sandwich.
Surprised? If you read the “breaking news” stories, readers were meant to draw the conclusion I “profited” from the sale between Inland and Windwave. Not even remotely correct.
As an unpaid board member, I did vote in favor of the sale of Inland assets to Windwave. Why? Three reasons.
First, I believed the sale proceeds would be dispersed to local students in the form of scholarships. This has proven to be correct. I just read in the July 2, 2025, Heppner Gazette that $54,000 was dispersed to students from the Class of 2025. See attached.
Second, a respected and licensed Oregon appraisal firm named Cogence Group PC provided Inland Development an appraisal with a financial value equal to the sales price. This means Inland Development received the cash equivalent of the assets sold to Windwave. See attached.
Lastly, on April 27, 2018, after months of review and working closely with the Department of Justice, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum issued a letter to the board of Inland Development telling us she “had no objection to the proposed transfer” and thanked us for “bringing the matter to her attention”. This was the selling point for my vote. See attached.
Of course, if 1, 2 or 3 would not have come to fruition, I would have voted against the asset transfer and demanded alternative conditions of the sale.
According to Attorney General Rayfield, I (and the other two disinterested board members) should have been more vigilant in questioning the value of such a sale. It did not occur to me to ponder if anyone was being deceitful or untruthful. I still do not believe anyone was. It also did not occur to me to discount the Department of Justice's letter. I had no reason to think they didn't do their job. All documentation appeared in order.
I will accept what comes of this civil lawsuit, but I wish to make it clear, despite what you read in the papers and on social media (especially those hateful, anti-politician comments & posts), I did not financially benefit from this transaction in the least.
I can tell you I will think twice before accepting any future position on a board. Oregon government having the ability to sue three volunteers on a community board is wrong. I also must ask what political motivation is there to using unflattering photographs and headlines of Representative Greg Smith? I just saw a post where my frowning, tired face is set to the music of “Bad Boys.” Really?
For over 24 years, my family and I have dedicated ourselves to this district with a steadfast commitment to doing what is right. Even when it wasn’t easy. Even when no one was watching. We have shown up and stood firm against those who think rural Oregon is voiceless and doesn’t require a seat at the table. While the current political climate is toxic and often driven by lies and division, we’ve always believed District 57 deserves better. We will continue this representation, unapologetically and without backing down.
~Greg Smith
