Harry Demorest turned down a Stanford University academic scholarship to attend Oregon State University on a baseball scholarship. His work on the baseball diamond developed into a lifelong love of the sport, and his work off the field led him to post-graduate studies at Purdue University, where he earned a master’s degree in industrial management. Demorest worked for the Portland office of Arthur Andersen for more than a decade, first serving as partner in charge of the tax division and ultimately as office management partner.

Demorest joined Columbia Forest Products in 1991. The company, which began operations in 1957 in Klamath Falls, Ore., is one of North America’s largest manufacturers of hardwood plywood and veneer. Its products are used to build cabinets, furniture, fixtures, and other millwork for residential and commercial construction. Although he is retired from day-to-day operations, Demorest is still Columbia Forest Products’ board secretary. In 2005, Gov. Ted Kulongoski appointed Demorest to the Oregon Investment Council under the Oregon State Treasury. He has served in various leadership roles and continues to serve on the council today (his current term expires in 2014).

Demorest also has served on the boards of directors of many civic and charitable organizations, including the Portland Development Commission, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, City Club of Portland, the Oregon Symphony, and the Oregon State University Business Advisory Council. Demorest is a former board member of Oregon Steel Mills, Inc., the Portland Mayor’s Baseball Commission, and the Governor’s Greater Portland Trust in Higher Education Board.