Pedersen joins the district with a dynamic career spanning three industries—hospitality, private sector business, and accounting—each contributing essential skills that will now serve the students, schools, and community of North Wasco County. Most recently serving as a Staff Accountant with Price, Fronk, & Co CPAs in Bend, Oregon, Pedersen brings a unique blend of hands-on experience in financial reporting, tax preparation, and performance analysis.
Pedersen’s professional journey began in the service industry, where learning the value of clear communication and adaptability. During this time, Pedersen rose to Director of Brewery Operations for BJ's Restaurants, Inc., overseeing the financial and operational performance of multiple breweries and spearheading training, inventory systems, and process improvements. Their leadership helped earn numerous industry accolades, including Brewmaster of the Year.
With a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oregon State University–Cascades, and a Post-Baccalaureate Accounting Certificate from Eastern Oregon University, Pedersen has also passed all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination and completed the AICPA Ethics course.
Superintendent Bernal expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Dan to our leadership team. His diverse background, financial expertise, and commitment to continuous learning make them exceptionally well-suited to guide our district's financial strategy and operations.”
Pedersen brings a thoughtful, calm approach to leadership and an unwavering commitment to learning and growth. With a deep belief that the role of the district office is to support schools and students, he is well-positioned to strengthen the district’s financial stewardship and operational effectiveness.