News and Events

May 3rd, 2012

May 3, 2012

Hughes and Eiland to Lead Implementation of Metro Export Initiative Strategic Plan to Grow Local Jobs

Portland, Ore. – Today Greater Portland Inc named Tom Hughes, Metro Council President, and Jill Eiland, Intel Corporation’s Northwest Region Corporate Affairs Manager, as co-chairs of the Greater Portland Regional Export Council. In this role, Eiland and Hughes will be responsible for leading the Council through the implementation of the Metro Export Initiative’s three-year strategic plan to help companies in the Portland-Vancouver region access global markets and grow local jobs.

With annual exports of more than $21 billion, the greater Portland metropolitan area was one of only four regions in the nation to double exports during the past decade. After a year of study in cooperation with the Brookings Institution, the Metro Export Initiative was developed and announced in February to double regional exports again in the next five years.

“Our region is a national leader on global exports,” said Sean Robbins, CEO of Greater Portland Inc. “Jill and Tom’s expertise will help make the Metro Export Initiative’s goal of doubling our region’s exports a reality.”

Greater Portland Inc’s Regional Export Council will take the following actions during the next several months:

• Appoint more experts to the Regional Export Council.

• Convene the first Regional Export Council meeting in June.

• Create a three-year strategic business plan.

• Lay out seven core deliverables for the first calendar year.

“The Greater Portland Inc. Export Initiative is an effort to organize regionally so that we can compete globally,” Hughes said, “A particular target will be to increase the ability of small- and medium-sized companies around the region to take advantage of export markets and grow jobs,” said Hughes.

“Intel will help bring a global perspective to exports, which are a driving force in our region’s economy,” said Eiland. “I look forward to leading this council with Tom in order to guide a plan for continued expansion of this critical growth area.”

In addition to convening the Regional Export Council, Greater Portland Inc is in the process of hiring a Vice President of Regional Strategy and Coordination, who will serve as a liaison to the Regional Export Council and help to drive the deliverables of the Metro Export Initiative’s Strategic Plan.

About Jill Eiland and Tom Hughes

Jill Eiland is the Northwest Region Corporate Affairs Manager for Intel Corporation, leading the media relations, government relations, community relations and education outreach team for Intel’s largest site and Oregon’s largest private employer. Prior to her arrival at Intel, Jill was Vice President of Corporate Communications for Knowledge Learning Corporation and the Director of Public Affairs for Portland General Electric. Jill grew up in Oregon, attended Oregon State University, and worked as a legislative staffer and then lobbyist in Washington D.C. Jill is also the Vice President of the State Board of Higher Education and serves on the board of the Portland Business Alliance, the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, the Oregon Idea, and the Oregon State University Foundation.

Tom Hughes is the Metro Council President. He was born and raised in Hillsboro and taught government and history at Aloha High School for 30 years. In 1976 he won a seat on the city council of Hillsboro and was elected mayor of Hillsboro in 2001. Under his leadership, Hillsboro made significant investments in the public structures and systems needed to attract new businesses to Hillsboro. Hughes’ efforts contributed to Hillsboro winning new facilities such as SolarWorld, the Pacific University Health Professions Campus, the Intel Fab sites, and a Genentech facility. Hillsboro voters re-elected Hughes in 2005, with 72 percent of the vote. Hughes became president of the Metro Council in January 2011.

For more information on Greater Portland Inc and to review the full Metro Export Initiative, go to www.greaterportlandinc.com/economy/MEI2012.

About Greater Portland Inc

Greater Portland Inc (GPI) is a public/private partnership driving quality economic expansion and job creation in the Portland-Vancouver region. GPI’s work unites forward-thinking leaders in shaping the economic future of the region by positioning it as a global center for high-quality growth. GPI’s resources are focused on retention, expansion and targeted recruitment of businesses from the region’s four target clusters: athletic and outdoor apparel, high-tech/software, advanced manufacturing and clean-technology. Through this work, GPI serves as the region’s convener, coordinating shared economic development priorities and building a focused and aligned business development and marketing strategy to drive job creation and economic prosperity.

April 2nd, 2012

 

Position Announcement: Vice President, Regional Strategy & Coordination

Position reports to: CEO

Submittals due April 11, 2012, 5:00 PM (Pacific)

Please include cover letter and current resume to info@greaterportlandinc.com.

Incomplete submittals will not be considered.

Job Description: VP Regional Strategy and Coordination

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Job Description

Greater Portland Inc is the Portland-Vancouver regional economic development partnership driving high-quality economic expansion and job creation.  Founded as a public/private effort, the region’s private sector industry leaders and public sector economic development groups have joined together to represent and further the economic future of the entire region.   With its state and local economic development partners, Greater Portland Inc is advancing a coordinated regional economic development strategy, a compelling brand to promote the region’s assets, and a proactive business retention, expansion, and targeted recruitment program to stimulate capital investment and job creation in the region.

The organization’s culture is built on a foundation of teamwork and entrepreneurial drive.  While each staff member has clear responsibilities in fulfilling our mission, we promote, expect, and reward a small business culture and work ethic where no task is above or below any individual.  Organizational success is prioritized over individual success and clear, frequent and honest communication is the bedrock of our team.

 

Vice President of Regional Strategy & Coordination / Position Summary

The Vice President of Regional Strategy & Coordination is an important part of the organization’s mission and strategic plan and reports directly to the CEO.  This position’s primary responsibility is to serve the region as an exceptional project manager and facilitator for convened priorities, resulting in a consensus-driven economic development strategy and implementation of key projects. 

Specifically, the position is responsible for four core functions:

 

Strategic Planning and Administration – 15%

Collaborates with senior staff to develop and implement the department’s annual work plan consistent with the mission and strategic goals of the organization and the overall organizational budget.  Manages external consultant relationships, resource allocation, budget/invoice processing, and tracking progress against department goals.  Responsible for managing projects within approved budget parameters.

Regional Project Management & Coordination – 40%

Provide exceptional project management services on behalf of local implementation partners working together on large-scale projects.  Construct business plans for execution, align outcomes regionally, facilitate meetings, manage timelines, oversee budgets, monitor project metrics, provide clear and timely communication, ensure successful deliver of outcomes, and keep regional teams moving forward in unison (see “Role Description” further detail). 

Regional Strategy Development – 25%

Through the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), work collaboratively to bring local, regional, and State economic development plans into alignment.  Manage a transparent, deliberative, and data-driven annual update process with community stakeholders to measure progress and adjust strategy as required.  Serve as a project manager and convener to coordinate amongst the various implementation partners across the region, ensuring coordinated implementation.

Research Coordination – 20%

Identifies, unifies and facilitates actionable research initiatives that have critical long term significance to the region’s economic prospects. Acting in several potential roles, may act as a convener to bring disparate parties together or may be the sole initiator of a new project. In either case, Greater Portland Inc will draw on the capabilities of strategic partners throughout the region to identify research priorities and develop action plans that lead to tangible and relevant outcomes.

 

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess initiative, high-level project management skills, excellence in professionalism and communication skills, solid Excel, data, and research skills.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, urban planning, political science, development or related field required.

Master’s degrees in a related field a plus, but not required.

Experience Required

• Minimum seven years of professional experience in a senior project management role in community development, economic development, planning or related field.
• Project management (full responsibility for timeline, task, budget, personnel coordination, metrics and reporting).
• Success leading external/internal cross-functional teams to deliver tangible project outcomes/results.
• Meeting facilitation and convening.
• Grant writing and government contracting administration.
• Public speaking/presentation experience.

 

Experience Desired

• U.S. EDA Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) development and management.
• Responsibility for managing projects involving local, regional, state, and federal government partners.
• Initiation, management and communication of complex research assignments.
• Quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

 

Personal Attributes

• Detail-oriented and highly organized.
• Exceptional project task manager.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills.
• Excels under pressure, in a fast-paced, high-profile work environment.
• Enjoys meeting needs/deadlines of external customers.
• Hard worker, career-minded and focused.
• Positive attitude and energetic.
• Relationship builder, motivator and team player.
• Sound judgment.
• Impeccable character.
• Believer in the Greater Portland region’s economic potential.

 

Regional Strategy & Coordination

 

Role Description

During the creation of Greater Portland Inc, the region’s public and private sector leaders identified the need to create a unified forum for public and private leaders to coalesce around a compelling economic development strategy.  In addition, and as an extension of this need, it was identified that Greater Portland Inc serve as a convener/facilitator to regionally important economic development projects.  With the adoption of its 2012 Annual Work Plan, the Greater Portland Inc has explicitly recognized this need and prioritized it accordingly. 

The purpose of this document is to provide a clear and more detailed description of what it means to be the region’s project coordinator/implementation agent.  In short, Greater Portland Inc provides coordination and project management services to a project’s on-the-ground implementation partners.  Specifically, the work breaks down as follows:

Business Planning and Strategy Alignment

Provide thoughtful business planning expertise and a regional voice to projects at hand, working to align them with other existing or ongoing regional plans, project and organizations.

• Provide a “return-on-investment” perspective to regionally convened projects to ensure they demonstrate tangible, relevant and measurable results.
• Provide data-driven thought leadership to ensure regionally convened projects are based on sound analytics and feasibility.
• Explicitly look for ways to connect current projects into existing plans, projects, or organizations.
• Be a voice for those not present or represented at any given time.

 

Project Management

As a supporting partner to a project’s implementation entities, provide day-to-day project management services that ensure the various stakeholders are working in lock step together towards completion.

• Task identification, coordination, and monitoring.
• Timeline development and execution.
• Budget monitoring.
• Metric tracking.
• Reporting (required and non-required).

 

Meeting Facilitation

Provide focused and results-oriented meeting facilitation to a project’s various implementation entities, providing all logistical setup and coordination required.

• Establish meeting schedule to keep teams on track; adjust as necessary.
• Prepare focused agendas (with clear outcomes) for all meetings.
• Facilitate meetings in a neutral, results-focused manner.
• Keep meeting minutes/notes, reporting out to stakeholders in a timely basis.

 

Communications Management

Provide professional, timely, and clear communications to both project participants and outside stakeholders.

• Monthly updated reports (project participants).
• Meeting notes/minutes (project participants).
• Clear definition of roles and responsibilities (project participants).
• Conflict management (project participants).
• Proactive status updates to stakeholders (outside stakeholders).
• Public presentations (outside stakeholders).
• Joint press release management/media interaction (outside stakeholders).

View this article »

February 15th, 2012

Portland, Ore. – The Greater Portland region doubled exports over the last decade, and now we are poised to do it again, in less time. Public- and private-sector leaders from around the region today released the Greater Portland Metro Export Strategy, a plan to help local companies access global markets and grow local jobs.

With annual exports of more than $21 billion, Greater Portland was one of only four regions in the nation to double exports over the past decade. Now, after a year of study in cooperation with the Brookings Institution, a new strategy has been developed that seeks to double regional exports in the next five years.

“It is estimated that every additional $1 billion in export growth translates into 5,400 new jobs, so if we grow exports we grow jobs.” said Sean Robbins, CEO Greater Portland Inc., the region’s public/private economic development organization.

“The Greater Portland region has some remarkable strengths when it comes to exporting,” said Amy Liu, Co-Director and Senior Fellow of the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution. “Ultimately, it will be metro areas like the Greater Portland region that will drive the nation’s exporting goals and overall economic growth in this post-recession environment.

“Brookings is proud to be working with Portland on this strategy,  Portland’s leadership in creating a metro export strategy is part of the Brookings-Rockefeller Project on State and Metropolitan Innovation, a national effort to catalyze and showcase leading-edge practices to boost the nation’s transition to the next economy.”

The Office of Mayor Sam Adams and the Portland Development Commission led the process through an export task force that included the Port of Portland, Greater Portland Inc., Business Oregon, the U.S. Export Assistance Center and other regional stakeholders. This included a market assessment, survey and company interviews that produced the following findings:

• Portland is a very competitive exporting region, influenced heavily by computer and electronic equipment manufacturing.
• The metals and transportation equipment industry ranks high, but findings suggest more potential.
• The regional economy is dominated by small and medium enterprises that could benefit from increased exporting.
• Certain regional competitive advantages could be better translated into export strengths.

Based on the market assessment and discussions with regional stakeholders, Greater Portland’s Metro Export Initiative was developed, encompassing four strategy areas to increase the region’s exports:

1. Support and Leverage Primary Exporters – Increase local share of computer and electronic manufacturing supply-chain; address regional policy issues to enhance long-term competitiveness of the industry.
2. Catalyze Under-Exporters – Work with a select group of key manufacturers to access new markets; provide market intelligence analysis, product diversification strategies and targeted trade missions.
3. Enhance the Export Pipeline – Increase the number of small and medium size businesses exporting; develop an export services roadmap and create a “one-stop-shop” resource center, promote an export culture and provide intense export mentoring.
4. Market Portland’s Global Edge – Capitalize on the region’s reputation and expertise in clean tech adoption, sustainable energy generation, advanced urban design and transportation through intense and proactive marketing strategy to sell Portland’s Green Solutions internationally.

“Implementing this strategy in partnership with government and industry leaders will allow us to be more intentional in driving exports.” said Portland Mayor Sam Adams, “We expect that, from this focused effort, our region will step up to lead the nation in growing exports.” For more information on Greater Portland Inc. and to review the full strategy document, go to www.greaterportlandinc.com/MEI2012.

Participating organizations include:

View this article »

February 3rd, 2012

Portland, Ore.—Greater Portland Inc. CEO, Sean Robbins, was named one of Portland Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” for 2012. The Forty Under 40 awards recognize business leaders under the age of 40 in Portland. Selection is based upon both professional accomplishments and community involvement.

“I’m honored to receive this award alongside such accomplished leaders in our community,” said Robbins. “Seeing the depth of talent that this community has is a promising indicator of what the future holds for the Portland region.”

Robbins joined the Greater Portland Inc. team in 2011 with over a decade of professional experience in economic development, commercial real estate and urban and regional planning in Wisconsin. He has built a reputation as a get-it-done leader at the intersection of business and community affairs, forging partnerships between public and private sector partners to deliver important community development initiatives. Most recently (2009-2011), Sean served as the Executive Vice President of Thrive, which is Madison, Wisconsin’s regional public-private economic development partnership.

Robbins was awarded the Community Asset Award from Downtown Madison Inc. in 2009 and named to Madison’s “Top 40 Under 40” list by In-Business Magazine in 2010. He frequently gives presentations about economic development strategies in the Portland-Vancouver region.

About Greater Portland Inc.
Greater Portland Inc. is the Portland-Vancouver regional economic development partnership collaboratively driving quality economic expansion and job creation. Founded as a public/private effort, the region’s private sector industry leaders, elected officials and economic development groups have joined together to represent and further the economic future of the entire region. With its state and local economic development partners, Greater Portland Inc. is advancing a coordinated regional economic development strategy, a coordinated brand to promote the region’s assets, and a coordinated business retention, expansion, and targeted recruitment program to stimulate capital investment and job creation in the region. For more information visit www.greaterportlandinc.com.

View this article »

January 18th, 2012

Portland, Ore.—Greater Portland Inc., the Portland-Vancouver regional economic development partnership, announced today the hiring of Maggie Davis as the Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Davis joins Greater Portland Inc. with more than 15 years of marketing experience. In this new role, Davis will be responsible for marketing support to the business development work of the organization, managing the organization’s communications, brand and collateral needs and providing overall strategic direction to the regional brand.

“Greater Portland Inc. has built a results-oriented team to shape our region’s economic future,” said Sean Robbins, CEO of Greater Portland Inc. “Maggie’s experience and entrepreneurial spirit will be a tremendous complement to the new team here and key to moving the region’s brand and messaging forward.”

This hire comes shortly after the appointment of Maggie Finnerty as Vice President of Investor Stewardship and Colin Sears as the Vice President of Business Development. Prior to joining Greater Portland Inc., Davis was the Strategic Marketing Manager at Hewlett-Packard, where she was responsible for creating innovative marketing strategies for new mobility and cloud solutions in the Managed Enterprise Solutions business. She also held other marketing positions including creating the HP Eco Solutions Program, brand management, strategic messaging and communications management at Hewlett-Packard. In addition, Davis held business development and marketing manager positions at Tektronix.

“As a long-term resident of the region, I look forward to combining my love of the area with my experience creating marketing strategies and programs targeted to the world’s largest companies and public sector organizations,” said Davis. “I believe through Greater Portland Inc. I can contribute in a meaningful way to this region’s economic development.”

Davis has a bachelor of science in management and finance as well as a master’s degree in marketing from the University of Oregon. She has been a sought-after speaker at customer events held around the world on the topics of Green IT and cloud-based mobile printing. Davis has received several marketing excellence awards from Hewlett-Packard and Tektronix and is a current volunteer for Lake Oswego school’s Art Literacy program.

To view the Greater Portland Inc. video or for more information, please visit the website at www.greaterportlandinc.com.

About Greater Portland Inc.

Greater Portland Inc. is the Portland-Vancouver regional economic development partnership collaboratively driving quality economic expansion and job creation. Founded as a public/private effort, the region’s private sector industry leaders, elected officials and economic development groups have joined together to represent and further the economic future of the entire region. With its state and local economic development partners, Greater Portland Inc. is advancing a coordinated regional economic development strategy, a coordinated brand to promote the region’s assets, and a coordinated business retention, expansion, and targeted recruitment program to stimulate capital investment and job creation in the region.

View this article »

October 7th, 2011

SEARS JOINS GROWING TEAM TO CONTINUE TO ADVANCE
A COORDINATED REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Portland, Ore.—Greater Portland Inc., the Portland-Vancouver regional economic development partnership, announced today the hiring of Colin Sears as the Vice President of Business Development. Sears joins Greater Portland Inc. with more than 12 years of experience with the Portland Development Commission where he played a key role in recruiting and retaining companies such as SolarWorld, Keen Footwear and Vestas Wind Technology North America.

In this new role, Sears will be responsible for implementing a unified and proactive regional retention, expansion and recruitment program by creating strong and enduring relationships with both private and public sectors at all levels.

“Greater Portland Inc. is working to drive a best-in-class recruitment, expansion and retention program that is directed at traded-sector companies in the Portland-Vancouver region,” said Sean Robbins, CEO of Greater Portland Inc. “Colin’s work will be strategic, proactive and collaborative and will be at the core of our effort and value proposition. It will be a driving force in the rest of our organization’s work.”

This hire comes on the heels of the appointment of Maggie Finnerty as Vice President of Investor Stewardship and less than two months after the hire of Robbins as Greater Portland Inc.’s new CEO in August 2011. With a new name and cohesive brand in place, Greater Portland Inc. is working with state and local economic development partners to advance a results-oriented program of quality job creation. This includes promoting the area’s core value propositions, supporting the retention and expansion of existing businesses, and recruiting targeted businesses in high growth industries.

Sears leaves his position as Business and Industry Manager at the Portland Development Commission where he held a number of positions over the years and brings a wealth of knowledge in business expansion, retention and recruitment as well as industrial and commercial development/redevelopment. He was also on the team that launched the City of Portland Economic Development Strategy in 2009 and recently led the recruitment of the SoloPower manufacturing facility to Portland in May 2011, which is projected to create 481 jobs.

“Through my work with the Portland Development Commission I have been able to lead many economic development projects in the City of Portland,” said Sears. “In this new role with Greater Portland Inc., I can leverage the tremendous assets of the whole region and be an early contributor to very special organization. Greater Portland Inc. is making a difference for our region and I am honored to be a part of it.”

Sears has a Bachelor of Arts as well as a Master of Science in Geography from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He began his career at Portland Development Commission in 1999 and has held a number of positions over the years. He held a board position on the Oregon Economic Development Association for five years and was the chair of Team Oregon Clean Tech, a statewide external economic development committee responsible for marketing Oregon as a location for corporate expansion and relocations to clean tech and renewable energy Industry corporations.

Sears joins growing team to continue to advance a coordinated regional economic development strategy

What people are saying about working with Colin Sears:

Jill Miles, National Business Recruitment Officer, Business Oregon:

“Colin and I have worked as a cohesive team for the past eight years—everything from trade shows to company site visits and he’s a great practitioner,” said Jill Miles, National Business Recruitment Officer for Business Oregon. “I am confident he is going to benefit Greater Portland Inc. by using this breadth of knowledge on a regional level rather than just Portland. And that’s positive for all of us.”

Sarah Garrison, Economic Development Manager, City of Hillsboro:

“For the past eight years I’ve worked directly with Colin in the bioscience and clean tech energy space,” said Sarah Garrison, Economic Development Manager for the City of Hillsboro. “He has been an incredible partner at a state level and also to the City of Hillsboro. I believe this transition to Greater Portland Inc. will be a seamless one because Colin gets business development and collaboration both from an industry perspective as well as from an economic developer perspective.”

Janet Young, Director of Economic Development Services, City of Gresham:

“I have had the pleasure of working with Colin Sears for a number of years in economic development and business recruitment here in the Portland region,” said Janet Young, Director of Economic Development Services for the City of Gresham. “He has a solid understanding and respect for the importance of promoting the entire region in addition to the City of Portland, for whom he worked. I am delighted to see him selected for the Business Development role at Greater Portland Inc. and feel confident that he will be an excellent advocate for this whole region.”

View this article »

September 27th, 2011

Finnerty Joins New CEO, Robbins, to Continue to Drive Regional Economic Expansion and Job Creation

Portland, Ore.—Greater Portland Inc., the Portland-Vancouver regional economic development partnership, today announced the hiring of Maggie Finnerty as the Vice President of Investor Stewardship. Finnerty brings a wealth of experience in building and maintaining investor partnerships, working with the regional business community and fundraising in the public and private sectors.

In this role, Finnerty will work as a liaison to Greater Portland Inc.’s investors and stakeholders in order to keep them informed of current activities and provide opportunities for them to engage directly in the organization’s work throughout the year.

“Greater Portland Inc. brings the best of the public and private sectors together to drive economic growth.  To make that happen, we are building a staff culture that is entrepreneurial, collaborative and results oriented,” said Sean Robbins, CEO of Greater Portland Inc. “Maggie is an outstanding fit for Greater Portland Inc.  She is passionate about this community and is a consummate team player.”"

This hire comes shortly after the appointment of Robbins as Greater Portland Inc.’s new CEO in August 2011. With a new name and cohesive brand in place, Greater Portland Inc. is working with its state and local economic development partners to advance a coordinated regional economic development action plan. This includes promoting the area’s assets, supporting the retention and expansion of existing businesses, and recruiting targeted businesses in high growth industries.

Finnerty leaves her position as Executive Director and Clinical Law Professor at Lewis & Clark Law School’s Small Business Legal Clinic (SBLC) to join Greater Portland Inc. In that role Finnerty managed all aspects of the SBLC’s operations, including developing strategic partnerships with a variety of organizations and programs, working with The City of Portland’s economic development team, presenting community outreach seminars on business legal topics, and leading fundraising for the SBLC.

“Joining the Greater Portland Inc. team gives me the opportunity to use my experience with economic and partnership development on a much larger scale,” said Finnerty. “Greater Portland Inc. is doing important work for our region and I am excited to roll up my sleeves to make a difference for the Portland-Vancouver area.”

Finnerty has a law degree from the University of Oregon’s School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts. She practiced law in the Business Services Group at Stoel Rives LLP from 1999-2004 before joining a start-up in the financial services industry, then joined the faculty of Lewis & Clark Law School.  In 2011, Finnerty received the Orchid Award from the Portland Business Journal.  In 2010, she received the Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Champion Award both for the State of Oregon and for the Northwest Region. She was also a recipient of the Portland Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award in 2007.

To view the Greater Portland video or for more information, please visit the website at www.greaterportlandinc.com.

About Greater Portland Inc.
Greater Portland Inc. is the Portland-Vancouver regional economic development partnership collaboratively driving quality economic expansion and job creation. Founded as a public/private effort, the region’s private sector industry leaders, elected officials and economic development groups have joined together to represent and further the economic future of the entire region. With its state and local economic development partners, Greater Portland Inc. is advancing a coordinated regional economic development strategy, a coordinated brand to promote the region’s assets, and a coordinated business retention, expansion, and targeted recruitment program to stimulate capital investment and job creation in the region.

View this article »

September 23rd, 2011

$2.2 Million Grant Will Fund High-Potential Economic Growth Plans in Emerging Industries

Portland, Ore. — The Obama Administration, U.S. Economic Development Administration, Employment and Training Administration and the Small Business Administration announced today they awarded the Portland-Vancouver region a $2.2 million inter-agency federal grant in order to further integrate two of the region’s prominent industry clusters—clean technology innovation and manufacturing in order to meet the growing global demand. The project is called the Portland Regional Clean Tech Advance Initiative (CTA) and with this grant it will connect, leverage and multiply local, regional and national resources to connect clean technology (clean tech) innovations with manufacturing to increase the region’s competitive advantage in the global marketplace. This is one of 20 grants awarded nationwide through the Jobs and Innovation Acceleration Challenge, a multi-agency competition launched in May to support the advancement of 20 high-growth, regional industry clusters.

“I want to thank the Obama Administration and the U.S. Economic Development Administration for their clear endorsement of our region’s leadership position in clean technology,” said Portland Mayor Sam Adams.

Greater Portland Inc. served as the regional convener, bringing together more than 20 organizations and universities from Oregon and SW Washington to design this program. The three applicants in this effort include the Oregon Microenterprise Networking, a statewide association of microenterprise development programs and their supporters; Worksystems, Inc., a nonprofit organization that coordinates a regional workforce system supporting individual prosperity and business competitiveness; and the City of Portland with the Portland Development Commission.

“When the region works together as a team our economy wins,” said Sean Robbins, president and CEO of Greater Portland Inc. “We have the capacity to play a significant role in the global export market and connecting existing manufacturing capacity to emerging clean tech sectors will bolster our position even further.”

The Portland-Vancouver region is earning a reputation as a leader in the clean-tech industry including a @202 million venture capital invested in Oregon clean tech in 2010. With this grant, these regional organizations will have the ability to continue to develop and manufacture clean technologies, which are predicted to be an increasingly valuable global export over the coming decades. The anticipated work with this grant will include:

• New Products—funds will be invested to improve and refine existing regional efforts to bring new clean tech products to the market.
• Connected supply chain —participating organizations will connect the emerging clean tech industries with local supply chain opportunities for minority and undeserved businesses.
• Prepared workforce—the regional workforce organizations will prepare targeted and direct job training programs to support the new and emerging job functions in the clean tech sector.

“This is a great opportunity for the region’s workforce boards to support our manufacturing industry and workers to take advantage of the growing opportunities in clean technology,” said Andrew McGough, executive director of Worksystems, Inc.

As part of the CTA initiative, the partner organizations will develop a process to identify companies that are in the clean tech industry or have an interest in diversifying into clean tech, specifically focusing on those that are economically disadvantaged.

“We are very pleased to be a part of the Clean Tech Advance initiative,” said Valerie Plummer, executive director of the Oregon Microenterprise Network. “Our focus on minority and under-represented business in the region will play an important role in creating new approaches to manufacturing and new jobs for the region.”

Over the next two years, the grant’s implementation partners will come together with Greater Portland Inc. to coordinate their efforts and measure the programs’ impacts.

“This region was able to capitalize on the skills and talents of the three applicant organizations and many others including the Port of Portland, Manufacturing 21, Oregon Best and the consulting firm Cogan Owens Cogan.,” said Pamela Treece with Greater Portland Inc. “The regional community came together and worked very hard to make this award a reality—we will continue to work together to bring the benefits of the award to the region.”

About Greater Portland Inc.

Greater Portland Inc. is the Portland-Vancouver regional economic development partnership collaboratively driving quality economic expansion and job creation. Founded as a public/private effort, the region’s private sector industry leaders, elected officials and economic development groups have joined together to represent and further the economic future of the entire region. With its state and local economic development strategy, a coordinated brand to promote the region’s assets, and coordinated business retention, expansion, and targeted recruitment program to stimulate capital investment and job creation in the region.

View this article »

July 8th, 2011

ROBBINS TO LEAD ORGANIZATION ON STRATEGIC INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL GROWTH, INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH

Portland, Ore.— Greater Portland, Inc., formerly Greater Portland Inc., announces the appointment of Sean Robbins as CEO. Robbins brings extensive leadership and business acumen in commercial real estate, urban and regional planning and economic development to the organization as it launches its new regional economic initiatives.

“Sean’s dynamic leadership will be an incredible asset to our organization,” said Mark Ganz, chairman of the board of Greater Portland Inc. “We welcome his expertise and vision as we continue to grow the Portland/Vancouver region’s identity as a hub for entrepreneurs and international trade.”

Robbins leaves his position as Executive Vice President of Thrive, located in Madison, Wisconsin, a regional public-private economic development partnership, to join Greater Portland Inc. In that role, he improved the region’s access to capital, built a shared regional business retention and expansion infrastructure and launched the creation of the region’s Economic Development District designation with the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

“Joining Greater Portland is an excellent opportunity for me to dive into a bigger metro area that has a growing reputation for international commerce,” said Robbins. “Portland is also a wonderful city to raise a family, and I look forward to all of the opportunity both professionally and personally that this position offers.”

Robbins holds a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Iowa. In 2009 he was awarded the Community Asset Award from Downtown Madison Inc. and in 2010 was named to Madison’s Top 40-under-40 in In-Business Magazine.

To view the Greater Portland video or for more information, please visit the website at www.greaterportlandinc.com.

About Greater Portland Inc

Greater Portland Inc is a private-public economic development initiative focused on increasing the vitality of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area. The organization pursues business growth through recruitment and retention programs implemented collaboratively with private and public resources. Greater Portland was founded on three main components: incisive, targeted research; dynamic marketing initiatives; and outreach.

March 3rd, 2011

Greater Portland Inc.

(www.greenlightgreaterportland.net)

Chief Executive Officer

Executive Search Opportunity Profile

March 2011

We are launching an executive search for a CEO for Greater Portland Inc.. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO is accountable for all business operations of this public-private Economic Development Corporation as it transitions to a larger, regional role in economic development.  This paper introduces GGP and describes the CEO position and related candidate qualifications requirements.

About Greater Portland Inc.

Greater Portland Inc. (GGP) was formed three years ago by Portland, OR area business leaders to undertake an economic development mission targeted on  job creation and retention in the greater Portland region.   The founders’ shared motivation centered on partnering with public sector economic development agencies to enhance the effective recruitment of new businesses to the region, and retaining and supporting those already here.

In 2010 GGP’s board of directors, together with the directors of Portland/Vancouver Regional Partners, led an effort to unite the work of both organizations to create a public-private entity to encompass the greater Portland metropolitan area and the contiguous Vancouver, WA area, (i.e., the “region”).  The result of this work was an agreement to form a single regional economic development corporation. On December 9, 2010 a letter of intent was signed to create the new regional entity.  A launch team made up of directors of each organization has been formed to develop bylaws, a combined budget and business plan, as well as conduct a search for a person to lead the new organization as CEO. The GGP name will be retained for the new entity.

The following media announcement letter (edited length for this document) appears on the GGP website:

Regional Economic Development Groups Take Major Step Toward Merger

PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 9, 2010 — Today, regional economic development organizations Greater Portland Inc. and Portland Vancouver Regional Partners endorsed a letter of intent to merge the two organizations. The positive vote is a significant step toward the creation of a public-private Portland-Vancouver regional economic development entity.

Since Greenlight’s creation three years ago, the two agencies have had parallel economic development missions and agendas, but the diffusion of resources has precluded the organizations’ ability to capitalize on one another’s efforts. The proposed combining of forces will provide a major impetus for addressing the region’s challenges with job preservation, creation and growth.

The new economic development corporation will drive a strategy around traded-sector industry growth and high-skill, high-wage job creation and retention.

“Our community deserves the best we can put forward,” says Greater Portland Inc. Board Chair Mark Ganz.  This merger aims to deliver excellence in economic research and strategy, business development, marketing, and networking and best practices.  As a founder of Greenlight, I’m pleased that we’ve achieved this critical milestone.”

Portland Mayor Sam Adams says, “This merger creates the strongest public-private economic development partnership our region has ever seen. This regional effort couldn’t be happening at a more critical time. With this new partnership, we will be more effective in our collective economic development efforts, which are aimed at marketing this region’s strengths, creating jobs, and helping businesses succeed.”

Mayor Jerry Willey of City of Hillsboro adds, “We need to work smarter and don’t have the time or resources to duplicate efforts or fail to cooperate.  Given the economic straits we’re in, there’s never been a better time to align goals and work together. Investors and prospects view us as a region- not as a series of potential individual investment sites.”

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Facts about the new entity:

(Note: A more detailed business model description will be provided to CEO candidates)

• Corporate Form: GGP is a c (6) non-profit organization.
• Governance: GGP will be governed by a Board of Directors comprised of senior business executives and elected officials, all of whom will be investors in the entity (not “donors”).   Two-thirds (2/3) of the directors will be private sector investors and one-third (1/3) will be public sector investors.  The Chair will always be from the private sector investors group.  There will be two Vice-Chairs, a private sector board member and a public sector board member.Volunteer service to GGP’s board is a serious commitment, both in time and money.  Companies and public sector entities must invest at least $25,000 annually to participate on the Board. Organizations may become members of GGP by paying annual dues according to a fixed dues schedule adopted by the Board. Membership levels will each have defined rights and privileges, depending on the investment level. Public and private organizations will be allowed to pool their resources to achieve a shared board seat.
• Transition Strategy (to the new entity): A  “launch team” has been identified and assigned these tasks, and work is underway:
  • Finalize by-laws and overall agreements, including transitional operating agreements.
  • Prepare a transition plan touching organizational changes, staffing, leadership, financial affairs, legal considerations and performance measures.
  • Create a communication strategy to preserve and build GPP brand identity and strength.
  • Recruit a CEO.
• The Business of GGP:  GGP will concentrate on these activities:
  • Conducting research of “best practices” and business opportunities as a basis for preparing business strategy and action plans.
  • Recruiting companies and jobs to the region.
  • Retaining companies and jobs already in the region.
  • Establishing and building the region’s brand and image as an extraordinarily desirable destination for businesses.
  • Providing networking opportunities to region stakeholders including an annual economic summit, monthly meetings, social events, workshops and relevant travel.
  • Attracting additional investors to GGP.
  • Nurturing cooperative economic development efforts among GGP’s stakeholders, (e.g., private business, government agencies, communities, etc.), recognizing the strength and impact to be had from joint efforts as opposed to individual efforts.
• Performance Measures: GGP Performance will be measured on three fundamental metrics:
  • Successful recruitment and retention of international and domestic companies to the region, resulting in job creation.
  • Increases in traded sector and private enterprise jobs, through both corporate recruiting and support of companies now in the region.
  • Increase in per capita income in the region.
  • Increase in investor base.
• Budget and Finance: The initial GGP operating budget will approximate $1.6 million.  GGP funding will come from private and public sector sources including investors, grants and event income.
• Staff: The GGP staff will include the CEO and 5-7 staff members, details to be determined by the CEO based on needs and budget capacity.
• Location: GGP offices are located 1211 SW 5^th Avenue in Portland.

The CEO Position

Position Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Accountable To: Board of Directors (comprised of 2/3 private sector investors and 1/3 public sector investors (requirement), and specifically the Board Chair. It is expected the Executive Committee of the Board will be the primary interface for the CEO.

Direct Reports/Staff: (To be finalized in the business planning process.  Presumed staff
might include Office Manager, Research Manager,
Recruiter/Business Development (2), Marketing/Branding Manager,
Events Manager and support staff)
Position Summary:

The CEO is accountable to the board of directors for all GGP business affairs.  The position is unique in that it involves work ranging from top level leadership and representation to hands-on involvement in the creation and execution of strategy.

Critical CEO responsibilities include these:

• Development of additional investors in GGP, both public and private sector organizations.
• Overseeing on-going research to identify economic development opportunities for the region, (e.g., industries of interest, business recruitment targets, etc.).
• Development of comprehensive strategies for recruiting companies to the region, and for retaining the region’s established businesses.
• Refinement and communication of the GGP brand, both within and beyond the region
• Leadership of and extensive participation in corporate recruiting, both domestic and international.
• Relationship building with businesses already in the region, and with various region stakeholders in the economic development process.
• Operational management of the enterprise.

The GGP CEO:

We are seeking candidates with the following characteristics, capabilities and preparation:

• Ability to lead with vision and purpose….futuristic, compelling, strong leader.
• Strategic agility….good planner, idea generator and high level conceptual thinker who can “go beyond local.”
• Superb communication and collaboration skills for building relationships and achieve shared successes.  Engaging, attractive personal dynamics are very important.
• Ability to generate new investors and to engage the investor base.
• High self-confidence based on competence, seasoned with humility.
• Self-directed, and able to manage multiple and often competing priorities,
• High-level leadership experience and commanding presence, with proven experience working in board room and C-suite environments.  Maturity and seasoning as needed to work with a board of directors comprised of CEO’s and top level public officials.
• Entrepreneurial instincts and experience honed in live business situations.  Business experience is essential.
• Politically savvy, but not political.
• Experience with economic development is highly desirable.
• Commitment to serving one’s community, with examples of leadership in such endeavors.
• Negotiation and deal-making skills…win business on the best terms possible while striving for win/win relationships.
• Impeccable integrity and trust…trustworthy, truthful, selfless and accountable.
• Ability to motivate others…enable success by others, delegate, and share ownership and visibility.
• High EQ…touch with people, listener, help the team move and win.
• Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field is required, and a graduate degree is preferred as an indication of capability.
• Career record of success and commitment to validate good judgment, good performance and achievement of results.  Candidates should have senior level leadership experience, preferably at the CEO or Executive Director level, and proven ability to successfully drive for results.

The GGP CEO position is a challenging role.  It requires a special leader who is intelligent (heavy on “EQ”), entrepreneurial, very strategic, socially skilled and capable of “top down perspective” so to be credible with corporate leaders, business owners, etc.
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For Additional Information, Please Contact:

Roger Pringle

The Pringle Company

(Executive Search Consultants)

Portland, OR

503/221-0048 (office) 503/789-9401 (cell)

If you are a candidate, please submit your resume to:

rog@pringleco.com

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