Roger Yost
Downtown Salem Visionary
Roger Yost takes life where it leads him.
He has been a writer, editor, adman, marketer, educator, environmentalist, film producer, lyricist, master gardener, nurseryman, restaurateur, art gallery owner, investor, landlord and as many of his former employees and children would add: Coach and Mentor. He remains almost all of them to this day.
Historic Buildings Owner
The Reed Opera House
Until their sale in 2018 Yost owned one of Oregon's most historic treasures (Salem's Reed Opera House); and the tallest office building in Salem (The Capitol Center) which housed the Pacific NW's largest international fine art gallery (The Roger Yost Gallery) and two other historic buildings and two parking lots.
Salem Visionary
He was unselfish with his time, serving on boards or committees related to Salem's downtown community, tourism, educational institutions, and the city's future visions. But his enduring love of the Oregon Coast beckoned in 2018 and he sold his Salem properties to invest in the cities of Newport and Cannon Beach.