Debi Coleman, who became one of the Portland tech sector's best-known and most-respected investors, has died.
Coleman died at home Thursday, according to a remembrance issued by the Oregon Business Council, Oregon Business & Industry and the Technology Association of Oregon. TAO had just honored Coleman in September with the group's Lifetime Achievement Award.
"She is remembered as a stalwart supporter of Oregon’s technology industry and dedicated patron of the state’s artistic community stretching from Portland to Ashland and points in-between," the groups wrote. "Primarily, she will be missed as a treasured friend, aunt, sister and daughter."
Coleman came to Oregon in 1992 for a VP role at Tektronix. She spun out Tek's printed circuit board business Merix in 1994 and, seven years later, co-founded SmartForest Ventures. The angel investing firm helped startups specializing in information technology and electronics design and manufacturing.
While Coleman kept a low-profile over the past decade-plus, she did become a Broadway producer, contributing to "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical," which earned a Tony nomination. She also served on the boards for the Oregon Symphony and Oregon Ballet Theater.
With the Apple company, she became the original Macintosh team's first controller. While there, she helped automate the company's first California factory. She eventually became the company's VP of worldwide operations, CFO and VP of information systems and technology.
“Although she was not born in Oregon, Debi was an embodiment of the Oregon spirit. Our state has lost one of its most outspoken advocates,” said Duncan Wyse, president of OBC, in the release. “Debi’s candor and willingness to speak clearly and vocally on tough issues that defied easy articulation advanced the business communities’ dialogue and input on key policy issues.”
Skip Newberry, president & CEO of TAO, called Coleman "a true pioneer who never stopped thinking about what would come next and she blazed a path that allowed innovation to happen.”
