R.Dale retired in 1998 after 32 years with a Beaverton, OR based high tech firm where he held executive level positions in Manufacturing, Engineering, Marketing, and Customer Service. He holds an MBA in Business Management from the University of Portland. As a manager R.Dale had extensive experience in team building activities participating in numerous formal courses including, a two years Manager of Managers program and several years implementing Min Basadur’s Simplex problem solving methodology. Throughout his career he has guided the development of team building through structured programs and activities that enhanced the communication and productivity of the organizations he has led
He is enjoying his 46th year in rallying, having participated in all forms of the sport throughout North America. He is a two time SCCA National Champion as the co-driver for Rod Millen. Together with Paul Eklund and Larry Richardson he won the 2000 Alcan Winter Rally and the 2002 Alcan 5000 Rally. These two events are nine day adventure rallys, one run in the summer and one run in the winter. Teaming up again with Paul in 2004 they ran a three car team in the 2004 Alcan Winter Rally taking home two class wins. Additional adventures include: The Great American Race, The New York City Marathon, The Ironman Triathlon, and the seven day, Cycle Oregon (nine times.)
Francesca has nearly 30 years experience in marketing, advertising and public relations. She currently is a Principal in Image Weavers a Fountain Hills based marketing and Public Relations firm. She held several positions at a large northwest utility including, manager of market intelligence, manager of customer communications, and Director of Advertising. As a member of the senior management team she participated in several organizational development programs including Steven Covey’s Executive Excellence program, Leadership Excellence and Managing Organizational Change. As a Senior Account Manager at an advertising agency she utilized team building techniques designed for managing very fluid teams. Francesca holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in economics.
As a relative newcomer to the sport of rally, Francesca has proven her skill at both navigating and driving. She became the first woman to win the prestigious Mountains to the Sea Rally as both a navigator, in 1998 and as a driver in 2002. She too participates in physical recreation enjoying running and cycling. She completed Cycle Oregon twice, the last time on a tandem bicycle with R.Dale.
Products and Services:
Driving Adventures:
Challenge Driving Events present multi-day driving events designed to be life enriching experiences for participants. Our events are unique because they combine a driving competition component with well coordinated, fun activities related to the locale. The events are designed to take full advantage of the uniqueness of the locality, bringing out points of interest and experiences that a regular traveler might not be aware of or take advantage of on their own.
Alcan All-inclusive Adventure Package:
Challenge Driving Events provides a complete package for teams of three persons competing in the 2008 Alcan Winter Rally. The package provides one-stop shopping for individuals who want to participate in an extreme endurance road rally, but do not want to deal with the logistics.
Employee Team Building Activities:
Challenge Driving Events designs and holds employee team building experiences based on a modified Time, Speed Distance Road Rally format. These events provide work groups with a fun, non-threatening opportunity to explore how communication, trust and interdependency work to improve the overall productivity of the team.
Sponsorship:
Challenge Driving Events seeks out sponsors for the purpose of competing in adventure rallys throughout North America.
Financial Services:
Financial consulting for small business.