Duane P. Johnson began his career as the Extension Agent for Multnomah County in 1959. While stationed in Multnomah County, he was primarily responsible for the 4-H activities and did some work with livestock and agriculture. Johnson worked with a variety of programs that reached the diverse interests of Multnomah County to draw in the youth participation in 4-H. After returning from graduate school in 1970, Johnson came to work at OSU's Corvallis campus as a Specialist with the Animal Science and Horticulture programs. As the 4-H Youth Development Specialist, Johnson had a strong focus on educational materials, ensuring that that the activities he worked with were the best for the program. In 1980, Johnson accepted the position of Assistant Director for the State 4-H program, where he assisted in the administration of many programs, such as the 4-H Community Pride/Community Service project and the 4-H Ambassador Program. He was promoted to Acting Program Leader in 1982 and to the State 4-H Leader in 1983. Johnson remained at this position until 1990, when he returned to working as a Specialist. Johnson retired in 2000 with 41 years of experience in the Oregon Extension Service and an Emeritus appointment.
W. Dean Frischknecht was hired by the Oregon Extension Service in 1956 as a Livestock Specialist. One of his primary responsibilities was working with the livestock industry of Oregon, focusing on beef cattle improvement. Due to his experience and knowledge, he represented many livestock related associations and committees, such as the Western Livestock Committee, Beef Improvement Federation, Oregon Cattlemen's Beef Improvement Committee, and 4-H Livestock Advisory Committee. He worked for the Extension Service until he retired in 1985.
Owen D. Osborne began his career as an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Oregon State University in 1971. While his primary responsibility was instruction for both graduates and undergraduates, Osborne became involved in a number of research programs. During this time, Osborne began working for Office of Energy Research and Development to combat the oil crisis of the mid-1970s. Osborne's work with the federal and state legislatures helped start the Energy Extension program in Oregon. In 1977, Osborne started working on the newly established Energy Extension program part-time as an Information Coordinator, and was full-time by 1978. He also worked on a variety of other projects throughout the state with a number of agencies during this period, including the Eugene Water and Electric Board. Osborne left Oregon State University in 1982 to take a job as the Director of the Engineering Extension Service at Iowa State University, which was a unique branch of the Extension Service. He returned to Oregon State University in 1990 to take the job of Associate Director of Programs. Osborne began a phased-retirement in 1998, which he completed shortly thereafter with an emeritus appointment.
