Lauren was born and raised in Bend as a fifth generation Oregonian. She spent her teen years employed at her family’s business, Newport Avenue Market. Now, 30 years later, she’s continuing to grow the business by applying the smart business sense that was instilled in her by her parents.

In 2015, Lauren lead the company into being the first locally founded, 100% Employee-Owned grocery store in Central Oregon that now has grown to four stores with even more opportunities ahead.  As a second-generation grocer, sustaining business viability is Lauren’s foremost goal and to also continue to offer a profitable, healthy work environment for Rudy’s Markets Employee-Owners.

She appreciates and embraces innovation in the stores while supporting the change makers at the store level. Lauren is passionate about the success of Oregon’s small business economy and the benefits it creates for Oregon families. She fully embraces the core belief and go to market strategy of being First, Best or Different, leading to the long term success of a family legacy and now the legacy of the company’s Employee Owners.  

Lauren enjoys her current roll nationally with National Grocers Association (NGA), at the state level with Northwestern Food Merchants Inc. (NFM), and Northwest Grocers Association (NWGA).   She has been a repeat panelist with NGA, sharing the stage with the likes of Kevin Coupe and Michael Sansolo of Morning Newsbeat.  Lauren was a hosted buyer guest of The Specialty Food Association to Sicily, Italy meeting with potential exporters exploring the viability of their products in the US marketplace.  Voted a 24-time Best Grocery Store by the local community as well as 2023 Independent Market Superstar by Supermarket News.  Lauren looks forward to the continued growth of her family's legacy by ensure Newport Markets Inc., remains a staple in the Central Oregon community.