CCC is thrilled to announce the appointment of our President and CEO Andy Mendenhall, M.D., to Governor Tina Kotek’s Portland Central City Task Force (PCCTF). The Task Force is meeting for the first time today.
Governor Kotek is convening local elected, business and community leaders to tackle issues impacting the economic future of Portland’s central city. The charge of the Task Force is to articulate a compelling vision for the economic future of Portland’s central city and develop an action plan that will advance Portland’s role as an economic engine for the state by serving as a great place for business, residence, education, arts, entertainment and shopping. The PCCTF is slated to present recommendations at the Oregon Business Plan Leadership Summit in December.
“It’s no secret that downtown Portland has faced an onslaught of challenges in recent years that have tarnished some of the characteristics that people love about Oregon’s largest city,” said Governor Kotek. “Growing pains turned into crises, exacerbated by a global pandemic, and now concerns about Portland have become a statewide economic issue. It’s time to look forward, bring together diverse voices, and focus our energy on developing concrete and equitable solutions. I want to thank everyone who believes in Portland and is committed to building a brighter future, whether you’re a member of this task force or doing great work elsewhere.”
“I’m incredibly honored to be working alongside Governor Kotek to help our beloved Portland metro region recover,” said Andy Mendenhall. “All of us are working toward the same goal of recovering our community. This is a critically needed opportunity to redefine our social contract with folks who are struggling, our business partners and the broader community. I am confident in our ability to drive results and success for our region.”
Andy Mendenhall joins a prestigious group of local elected, business and community leaders.
Portland Central City Task Force Members include:
Governor Tina Kotek, State of Oregon, Co-Chair
Dan McMillan, CEO, The Standard, Co-Chair
Senator Ron Wyden, US Senate
Congressman Earl Blumenauer, U.S. Congressional District 3
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, U.S. Congressional District 1
Representative Janelle Bynum, Oregon House District 39
Representative Rob Nosse, Oregon House District 42
Representative Tawna Sanchez, Oregon House District 43
President Lynn Peterson, Metro
Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, Multnomah County
District Attorney Mike Schmidt, Multnomah County
Mayor Ted Wheeler, City of Portland
Oscar Arana, Native American Youth and Family Services
Candace Avalos, Verde
Kimberly Branam, Prosper Portland
Jessie Burke, Society Hotel in Old Town
Kimberly Cooper, Fortuna Group
Kathryn Correia, Legacy Health
Graciela Cowger, Schwabe
Patrick Criteser, Tillamook County Creamery Association
Ann Cudd, Portland State University
Nicole Davison León, Hispanic Metro Chamber
Stacey Dodson, US Bank
Brian Ferriso, Portland Art Museum
Ernesto Fonseca, Hacienda CDC
Robert Gootee, Moda Health
Erin Graham, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Stephen Green, Business for a Better Portland
Dewayne Hankins, Portland Trail Blazers
Nkenge Harmon Johnson, The Urban League
Andrew Hoan, Portland Metro Chamber
Duncan Hwang, Metro Council, and Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon
Renée J. James, Ampere Computing
Cobi Lewis, Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon
Nolan Lienhart, ZGF Architects
Jim Mark, Melvin Mark
Jan Mason, Mackenzie, Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon and Greater Portland Economic Development District, Chair
Jeff Miller, Travel Portland
Andy Mendenhall, Central City Concern
Lance Randall, Black Business Association of Oregon
Curtis Robinhold, Port of Portland
Lisa Schroeder, Mother’s Bistro
Alando Simpson, City of Roses Disposal & Recycling
Vanessa Sturgeon, TMT Development
Michelle Weisenbach, Wells Fargo Commercial Banking, Greater Portland Inc Chair
Charles Wilhoite, Willamette Management
Additional leaders and subject matter experts will be invited to join committees that will meet regularly to develop recommendations to the full Task Force. The committees will focus on:
- The central city’s value proposition
- Community safety
- Livable neighborhoods
- Housing and homelessness
- Taxes for services
