main phone: 503-823-4120
Opinion line: 503-823-4127
1221 SW 4th Ave, Room 340, Portland, OR 97204
Staff
Kristin Dennis
Chief of Staff
kristin.dennis@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT ROLE: Chief of Staff
PAST: Former Policy Director and then Chief of Staff for Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler. Legislative Assistant to Oregon State Senator Richard Devlin. Law Clerk for Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost. Legal Intern at San Diego Unified School District. Elected to the Lake Oswego City Council at the age of 22 from 2007 to 2010, and served as Council President in 2010. Special Projects Manager at Denton Plastics, Inc. Member of the Oregon State Bar, law degree from University of San Diego School of Law, Managing Editor of San Diego Journal of Climate and Energy Law.
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: Ox
Jamal Fox
Deputy Chief of Staff
CURRENT ROLE: Deputy Chief of Staff
PAST: Portland Parks Property & Business Development Manager, Greensboro City Council Member (District 2), Social Studies and Teen Leadership Teacher for Guilford County Schools (T. Wingate Andrews High School), Adjunct Professor in Political Science (North Carolina A&T State University).
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: My home kitchen.
Aja Blair
Executive Assistant to Mayor Wheeler
CURRENT ROLE: I serve as the Mayor’s Executive Assistant
PAST: Administrator at Mayapur Academy in West Bengal, India. Scheduler and Office Manager to Commissioner Nick Fish. B.A. in Arts & Letters from Portland State University
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: Helser's on Alberta
Khanh Tran
Executive Assistant to Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff
CURRENT ROLE: I serve as the Executive Assistant to Deputy Chief of Staff, Kristin Dennis.
PAST: U.S. Army. B.A. in Sustainable Urban Development from University of Washington.
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: Pok Pok
Cupid Alexander
Director of Strategic Initiatives
cupid.alexander@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT ROLE: Policy development, engagement, oversight and implementation around housing, economic development and community involvement.
PAST: Portland Housing Bureau as a Senior Policy Analyst; Washington County Department of housing services as a program administrator of the shelter plus care program and occupancy specialist. Currently serves as National Association of Housing Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Pacific Northwest Regional Council Vice President, and President of the Urban League of Portland’s Young Professionals and Board Member. Recent Recipient of NAHRO’s National Emerging Leader award (2018). Executive Masters In Public Administration- Portland State University, Graduate Degree in Real Estate development – Portland State University, Bachelors In Business.
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: Kee’s Loaded Kitchen
Jennifer Arguinzoni
Director of External Affairs
jennifer.arguinzoni@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT ROLE: I serve as a key strategist, managing and cultivating external relationships, as well as coordinate community and external partnerships.
PAST: Ted Wheeler’s Transition Manager, leading policy discussions to help develop the mayor’s priority issues, Finance Director for Ted Wheeler’s mayoral campaign, and more than a decade of state and federal legislative experience in Georgia and Washington, D.C. B.A. in Political Science from Georgia State University.
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: Langbaan
Nicole A. Grant
Director of Policy
nicole.grant@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT ROLE: I guide and manage the Mayor’s team of Senior Policy Advisors, Policy Advisors, and Policy Interns, playing a lead role in the development and implementation of the Mayor’s policy agenda.
PAST: Senior Policy Advisor for Office of Mayor Ted Wheeler. Office of Mayor Charlie Hales (Policy Analyst). Columbia Law School (J.D.), Yale University (B.A.)
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: Nimblefish
Eileen Park
Director of Communications
eileen.park@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT ROLE: I lead and manage the Mayor’s internal and external communications.
PAST: KOIN 6 CBS, WNCN CBS, ABC News. Graduated from DePauw University with a major in Communications and a minor in Political Science.
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: St. Jack on NW 23rd has the best burger in town.
Tom Peavey
Interim Director of the Office of Youth Violence Prevention
CURRENT ROLE: Policy Manager, Office of Youth Violence Prevention
PAST: City of Portland; Police Bureau (1973 – 2004), Office of Neighborhood Involvement (2004 – 2006), Office of Youth Violence Prevention (2006 – current). Washington State University, Bachelor’s of Science, Police Science Administration.
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: Miss Delta Restaurant
Seraphie Allen
Senior Policy Advisor
seraphie.allen@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT ROLE: Policy and administrative oversight in homelessness, livability, housing, Portland Children’s Levy and education policy issues. I also servee as the Mayor’s liaison for issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.
PAST: B.A. in English and Gender Studies from Lewis & Clark College.
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: Mizu Sushi
Samuel Diaz
Senior Policy Advisor
samuel.diaz@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT ROLE: I work with the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and Bureau of Development Services, focusing on energy, environment, and land use issues.
PAST: Developed, managed, and implemented community engagement strategies for 1000 Friends of Oregon to help pass Portland Metro’s Climate Smart Strategy, broaden and diversify the number of Oregonians participating in land use issues through the Land Use Leadership Initiative, and create public awareness and support for critical investments. Served Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. in California, focusing on strategies to create equitable and sustainable communities and adapt to impacts related to climate change. Served as Program Manager for a conservation philanthropy, focusing on environmental issues in the American West.
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: With my family and friends at home in NE Portland
Robert King
Senior Policy Advisor
robert.king@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT ROLE: Senior Public Safety Advisor
PAST: After 27 years in the Portland Police Bureau, I retired in 2018 as Commander of North Precinct. Over the course of my career, I worked with community members and law enforcement colleagues to create a space for encouraging diverse groups of people to navigate their differences and work together. I worked on a variety of assignments throughout my career including serving as a patrol officer, SERT officer, detective, patrol supervisor, and as PPA President. After an eight month-long retirement, I returned to public service as a safety officer for the Bureau of Development Services. I graduated from Portland State University.
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: Justa Pasta on 19th and NW Overton has the most amazing Italian food.
Tia Williams
Senior Policy Advisor
tia.williams@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT ROLE: I serve as the Mayor’s point on Housing (PHB), Transportation and Parks related issues along with overseeing and managing City Council meetings.
PAST: Office of Multnomah Commissioner Vega Pederson (Policy Director), Office of Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman (Policy Director), Oregon State Legislature, Boys and Girls Club. Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Media Studies from Willamette University.
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: LeChon
Mustafa Washington
Operations Project Manager
mustafa.washington@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT ROLE: I assist in implementing the Mayor’s legislative agenda, and manage policy staff projects.
PAST: Executive Assistant to Mayor Charlie Hales. Warner Pacific University Masters of Science in Management and Organizational Leadership
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: My Kitchen
Amy Rathfelder
Policy Advisor
amy.rathfelder@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT ROLE: Oversight of environmental and sustainability policy for the Mayor’s Office, as well as any appropriate community outreach and engagement.
PAST: OLCV and Renew Oregon, State of Oregon, Joe Trippi and Associates. Portland State University (Bachelor’s of Arts, Political Science/Public Service and Policy), The American University (Master’s of Arts, Political Communication—May 2019 completion).
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: Many. Right now, I’m all about brunch at Genie’s.
Tim Becker
Public Information Officer
timothy.becker@portlandoregon.gov
PRESENT: Public Information Officer. I assist with handling and responding to media inquiries, external messaging and serve as a spokesperson for Mayor Ted Wheeler.
PAST: Public Information Officer/Media Relations Specialist at TriMet. Emmy award winning reporter and anchor at KOIN-TV News, KPTV-TV News, KOMO-TV News, KSTU-TV News, KDRV TV News. I graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA with a major in Communications and a minor in East Asian studies.
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen.
Adam Thompson
Videographer / Web Content Manager
adam.thompson@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT ROLE: I tell visual stories that showcase how the Mayor’s values and policies impact the community.
PAST: Photojournalist at KOIN here in Portland. Photojournalist at KOLD in Tucson, AZ. Photojournalist at KDRV in Medford, OR. A.A.S. – Television Production Technology – Mt. Hood Community College (2003)
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: Cubo De Cuba on SE Hawthorne
Sierra Ellis
Constituent Services Specialist
sierra.ellis@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT ROLE: As a Constituent Service Specialist, I have the opportunity to communicate with Portland community members and hear from them directly about their needs. I also provide support to policy staff and work on community engagement efforts.
PAST: Resource Protection Program Assistant at the Portland Water Bureau, served as a State Intern at Senator Jeff Merkley’s Office, B.S. In Geography and a minor in Geographic Information Systems at Portland State University (Completion – September 2019).
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: Usually my kitchen. But, Jakes Famous Crawfish never disappoints and my newest find, Joy Bowl.
Jordan Martin
Constituent Services Specialist
jordan.martin@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT ROLE: As a Constituent Services Specialist, I support the connection between constituents and the Mayor’s staff, working to ensure transparency and community involvement in the political process.
PAST: Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Spanish from Willamette University, Fellow at Planned Parenthood, Intern at Oregon State Capitol with Representative Sollman, and a Support Specialist at SEIU Local 49 Union.
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: Paradox Cafe--Vegan French Toast!
Zach Kearl
Hatfield Fellow
zachary.kearl@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT ROLE: I am a Hatfield Resident Fellow serving as a policy advisor on homelessness and urban camping impact programs.
PAST: I am returning to the Portland Metro area after obtaining my M.P.A. from Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington in Seattle.
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: The joy of being back in Portland is that there are too many favorite restaurants to name, but I am still on the hunt for the best tiramisu in town.
Matthew Palmer
Intern
matthew.palmer@portlandoregon.gov
CURRENT: LGBT+ Community Engagement Intern
PAST: Legislative Assistant to Senator Gelser. Field Organizer for Team Oregon PAC. Graduated from the University of Iowa with a dual B.A. in Political Science and Ethics & Public Policy.
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN PORTLAND: Bamboo Sushi, no question about it.