Ellen Onstad

Currently - Immediate Past President of Portland Chapter CSI, Grand Marshall in the East Order of Amaranth Inc in Oregon & President OR/SW WA Cursillo Movement

[Cherise Lakeside, FCSI @CheriseLakeside]

Time is running out! Sign up for the @PortlandCSI 65th Anniversary Party!

65 years is a big deal and we want to celebrate big!

Tickets Here: https://t.co/MAigUvMsSr

October 11, 2025, 5 to 10 pm

Dinner, Dancing, Awards, Friendship, and Camaraderie! #CSIKraken

[Cherise Lakeside, FCSI @CheriseLakeside]

Big crowd today @PortlandCSI! #CSIKraken

[Cherise Lakeside, FCSI @CheriseLakeside]

Funny finds by our group prepping for the @PortlandCSI 65th Anniversary Party in October - this gem is circa 1992!

October 11th - Save the date for the big bash. Tickets on sale soon here: https://t.co/MAigUvMsSr

[Cherise Lakeside, FCSI @CheriseLakeside]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SAVE THE DATE! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@PortlandCSI is celebrating the Chapter's 65TH ANNIVERSARY!

Tickets will be available soon at this link https://t.co/wtvYxzWQDN

Join us on October 11th at the West End Ballroom in downtown Portland from 5pm to 10 pm for dinner, memories, and lots and lots of dancing!!

Get dressed up because we are having a party! (Black tie optional/evening wear but come as you are, you will be welcome regardless).

All past, present, and future CSI Members as well as all of our industry friends are welcome. Tickets will be limited so keep your eyes peeled and get yours early!

The plan had been a 60th Anniversary Party but Covid had other ideas. As is typical for Portland CSI, that didn't stop us.

Join us to celebrate the amazing journey of our chapter, our grateful acknowledgement of all those who made Portland CSI what it is today, and for a raucous good time! If you know, you know (we don't do boring)!

#CSIKraken

[Portland Chapter CSI @PortlandCSI]

Save the Date! The JEDI committee is gearing up for a Women in Construction Panel on March 11th 5-8pm at Freeland Spirits! https://t.co/VsWRmc985K

[Portland Chapter CSI @PortlandCSI]

Portland is excited to host the CSI Northwest Region Conference May 8-10th!
Industry Forum will be part of the conference, on Friday, May 9th!
https://t.co/RUt1JjxrTf

[Portland Chapter CSI @PortlandCSI]

Join us January 14 5-7pm at Mahlum for Pittsburgh Paints Company (PPG) 2025 global color forecast! https://t.co/EzXpGQ3PUA

[Cherise Lakeside, FCSI @CheriseLakeside]

Last night at the @CSIConstruction National Conference Awards Ceremony, @PortlandCSI Chapter Members took the stage multiple times!

Congratulations to all of the award winners, new Fellows, and our new Distinguished Member.

It was my honor to share the evening and celebrations with you! #CSIKraken

[Portland Chapter CSI @PortlandCSI]

What a very special night! Ellen Mae Onstad, FCSI has been elevated to Fellow in CSI! Joined on stage by her family, announced by her father, Lee Kilbourn, FCSI. Two generations of Fellows! What an amazing impact! We love you, Ellen!

[Ellen Onstad @onstade]

Flower in my drink on Tuesday night!

[Ellen Onstad @onstade]

@CheriseLakeside @EricaRKennedy Thank you Cherise! So excited for next week!!! Congratulations to all the new fellows!

[Ellen Onstad @onstade]

Honored to be a part of this wonderful class of fellows! See you in Houston!!!

[CSI @CSIConstruction]

CSI is excited to announce the 2024 Class of Fellows!

Here, they share what CSI means to them, give advice for getting the most out of membership, and discuss what the future could hold for the construction industry. https://t.co/llcldfV4j5

[Cherise Lakeside, FCSI @CheriseLakeside]

CONGRATULATIONS to @PortlandCSI #Queen, the amazing @onstade Ellen Onstad CSI, CDT on the @CSIConstruction (Construction Specifications Institute) announcement today that she is joining the 2024 Class of CSI Fellows!

Lady, not only were you born into this organization (no kidding, her dad is Lee Kilbourn, FCSI, FAIA, retired 50 year spec writer at ZGF Architects), but you have been a driving force in the Portland Chapter for more years than anyone can count. You have worn ALL THE HATS, often many at once, and always doing an outstanding job.

Your secret super power is making everyone feel like family as soon as they walk in the door and making sure they know EVERYBODY so they are at home in our Chapter!

This should have happened a long, long time ago. I couldn't be more honored that we will be fellow Fellows but I am even more honored that I get to call you my friend.

You are, hands down, the best of the best!

Can't wait to celebrate BIG with you in Houston. I wouldn't miss it for the world!

Smoochies,
Cherise #CSIKraken

P.S. Wear ALL THE DRESSES! 😘

[Portland Chapter CSI @PortlandCSI]

3 weeks left to register for the 2024 CSI golf tournament. Join us on the links starting at 9am on August 13th! https://t.co/fVlOicRuPu

[Ellen Onstad @onstade]

It’s a two Dutch kind of day! #dutchbrocoffee

[Portland Chapter CSI @PortlandCSI]

Congratulations to John Lape FAIA, FCSI, FCSC! Elevation to AIA College of Fellows is awarded to members who have made significant and exceptional contributions to architecture and society. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for the industry. CSI PDX is so proud!

[Cherise Lakeside, FCSI @CheriseLakeside]

For the #AEC Manufacturer Reps: Been meaning to post this for a while.

Based on a recent experience at two major #AEC Industry Conferences, I have added a new slide to my presentation "Lean on Me: Improving Results Between Design Professionals and Manufacturer's Reps". (See pic)

I attended these two conferences representing the @ARCAT_news @DetailedPodcast #DetailedPodcast that I host.

My name tag reflected that and not the fact that I am the Senior Specifier for all of RDH Building Science's offices.

I roamed the show floor multiple times at both conferences and stopped at many booths of manufacturer's that provide products that I specify (not looking for free swag - except pens - because I love pens).

Because of my name tag, NOT ONE manufacturer's rep (who didn't already know me) gave me the time of day, even when I stood at their booth for a length of time.

Just for fun, as a human behavior experiment, I purposely did not identify my true role in my day job waiting to see if anyone asked "how can I help you?".

While I understand that the intent is to connect with people who will use your products, the fact of the matter is that many people in #AEC wear different hats and have passions and projects outside of their job.

Today's Gentle Words of Wisdom: Do not ignore ANYBODY who stops at your booth. You have no idea what you might be missing.

#CSIKraken

[Cherise Lakeside, FCSI @CheriseLakeside]

Getting started on our tour of the Mississippi Workshop with @PortlandCSI #CSIKraken

[Portland Chapter CSI @PortlandCSI]

#HappyHolidays from CSI Portland #pdxcsi #UglySweater #2023

[Portland Chapter CSI @PortlandCSI]

https://t.co/ze8jYfx0Mx We are still registering players and sponsors for our annual golf tournament taking place on August 15th with new morning start time at 9am!