Small Business Solutions Hub: Improve Your Cybersecurity

Join us for the Springfield Chamber’s first Small Business Solutions Hub of 2026! This is a hybrid program; in-person at the Springfield Chamber Depot (light lunch provided) or online via Zoom. Register today!

Welcome Marques Salazar, Senior IT Systems Engineer at IEQ Technology and Nicole Nelson, Southern Oregon Region President of WaFd Bank, in offering their expertise on the topic of Improving Your Cybersecurity. From common scams to protections the banking industry has put in place to keep clients safe, attendees will leave with steps to ease their peace of mind heading into a new year.

Speakers
Nicole Nelson, WaFd Bank
Nicole serves as the Southern Oregon Region President of WaFd Bank. She has devoted her twenty-year career to commercial banking and serving clients throughout the Oregon. Well versed in various types of commercial lending, Nicole has expertise in commercial real estate, construction, operating lines of credit and equipment finance. Growing up in a family business has given her a deep understanding of business operations and respect for her commercial clients. Nicole is a graduate of Winona State University and the Pacific Coast Banking School.

Marques Salazar, IEQ Technology
Marques Salazar is a seasoned IT professional with over 25 years of experience delivering enterprise-level solutions across government, technology, banking, healthcare, and automotive sectors. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional versatility in managing complex IT infrastructures, leading strategic initiatives, and implementing innovative solutions that drive measurable business outcomes.

Marques began his career as a U.S. Marine Corps Communications Center Operator, serving from 1996 to 2000 in 29 Palms, California and Iwakuni, Japan, where he earned a Top Secret Security Clearance and honed the discipline and technical foundation that continues to define his approach to IT management. Currently serving as Senior IT Systems Engineer at IEQ Technology, Marques leverages extensive leadership experience gained as IT Director at Kiefer Automotive Group, where he directed network operations across 19 locations spanning Oregon, Idaho, and California. Notable achievements include orchestrating a comprehensive SD-WAN migration in response to heightened industry security compliance requirements.

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About Small Business Solutions Hub
In addition to in-person programs, the Springfield Chamber's Small Business Solutions Hub is a digital resource designed to connect small business Chamber members to a network of local experts and partners, business advising services, and a library of Chamber education tools. The hub will evolve to meet local needs with quarterly business education programming, and information from local investor partners.

The Springfield Chamber thanks the following partners for their support in making the Small Business Solutions Hub possible: