Meet the Team

Livability, Sustainability and the Environment

Lisa sailing the Willamette RiverLisa Libby is the Senior Policy Director on issues relating to livability, sustainability, and the environment.

Lisa first arrived in Oregon in 1994, upon completion of her Bachelor's degree in Visual Communications at Central Michigan University and was instantly charmed by the pedestrian and bike friendly neighborhoods of Portland.

Cevero Gonzalez is Sam's Public Advocate for all Transportation Issues. If you have a concern, question, suggestion, or complaint that has to do with the public right of way (streets, sidewalks, lights, traffic safety, etc.), he will serve as your advocate and will help you by navigating the web of bureaus that make up the Portland Office of Transportation - which for someone not familiar with them can sometimes be daunting to successfully negotiate.

Lynn in KoreaMaria Lynn Futalan Lim is Sam and Tom's scheduler and your first contact to Commissioner Sam Adams’ Office. She welcomes visitors and provides staff support. Maria helps to set the tone of our office and ensures that everything runs smoothly.

Terry Richardson is City Hall’s first staff member dedicated to labor issues. As a thirty-one year member and officer of the Communications Workers of America, local 7901, Terry offers Commissioner Sam Adams his knowledge and experience to fair employment practices, job creation, compensation equity, and other issues related to creating and to defining a successful economy.

Terry spent twenty-nine years at Qwest Communications, dealing with customer billing issues and complaints as well as coordinating the production of the white page directories. Retired in 2003, Terry understands the valuable role a front-line employee makes in ensuring equity for customers and employees alike.

A native of the Pacific Northwest, Terry grew up in Walla Walla, Washington, and moved to Portland in 1973 to pursue his education at Portland Community College . He expresses himself with his quirky dress as he tinkers with pruning his bonsai plants. He certainly adds to the rich, colorful culture of Portland.

Education and Public Safety

The impact of Measure 5, the 1991 property tax limitation, on Portland’s school children propelled Jane Ames into civic service. Jane believed strongly in the importance of quality public education, and was directly affected with a daughter entering elementary school that year. For the past 14 years, Jane has been an active classroom and school volunteer, and a grassroots leader and volunteer lobbyist for quality education and stable and adequate funding at the district, local and state levels. It was during this advocacy work she first met Sam Adams, then Mayor Katz’s Chief of Staff. It was her initial encounter that motivated Jane to work on his campaign. She continues to be impressed with Sam’s effectiveness, hard work, and genuine respect for citizens. As a member of Commissioner Adams’ team, Jane’s responsibilities emphasize issues regarding education, families and public safety.

Liaison to Portland Office of Transportation
Good Government

That is where they make your money!As liaison to the Portland Office of Transportation, Shoshanah is working to make Portland's transportation system work better.    Her portfolio focuses on the myriad of transportation related concerns that Portland residents  have everyday.  Shoshanah works closely with Sam on supporting smart regional growth, developing options for regional transportation needs and  developing a legislative agenda to further the needs of  Portlanders and the businesses who have made the city a great place to live. 

Vicki GrudinskiAs a Portland resident for thirty years, Vicki takes pride in being a public servant, emphasizing, “It’s important for citizens to take on active roles in local government. They need to feel listened to, recognized and engaged in the community they live in.”

Vicki has worked with the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) for sixteen years and is currently a supervisor. She also serves on the Administrative Review Committee, which consists of representatives from the City and the private sector and addresses citizen concerns on rate and billing issues for sewer, stormwater, and water services. Vicki works with the BES director on citizen appeals and acts as the liaison to the Revenue Bureau, which bills sewer, stormwater and water accounts.

Arts & Culture, Housing and Planning

Jesse focuses on issues and policy relating to housing, arts & culture and planning. Jesse moved from Denver, Colorado to Portland to attend Lewis & Clark College in 1999 and has not thought of living elsewhere since. He served as Communications Director for the Phil Busse for Mayor campaign, volunteered extensively for the No on Constitutional Amendment 36 campaign, and managed publicity for community nonprofit fundraisers. Jesse worked at Metro regional government in public affairs before joining Sam’s staff. Jesse is a staunch believer in the common good and cites Barbara Jordan whenever appropriate.

Economic Development and Workforce Training

Summer in the CityKimberly is a third generation Portlander and graduate of Grant High School. After completing an English B.A. at Colby College, in Maine, she joined the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Her work focused on education, public health and community development in a rural village. Kimberly remained in West Africa to serve as a project manager for an international development organization.  She worked with multiple stakeholders to foster infrastructure development, elementary education and strategic partnerships.

Visitors, Tourism and Hospitality

After a twenty-nine year career with Hilton Hotels in seven different cities, Greg is serving on Commissioner Sam Adams’s staff as liaison to the convention, tourism and hospitality industry. Greg was the senior catering manager at the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower for several years, focusing on banquet sales and service.

Chief of Staff

Tom Miller is Chief-of-Staff for Commissioner Sam Adams. He manages Sam’s diverse team of talent, leads office policy direction, and steps in for Sam when necessary. Raised in Arizona, Tom earned undergraduate degrees in Colorado including a two-year sojourn to Central America. He then joined the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic before relocating to Portland to attend Lewis & Clark Law School.

and Friend of the Office

Diane Walton is the point person for the Dashboard – the physical representation of Commissioner Adam’s commitment to a healthy economy. She doesn’t spend much time in the office but can be found in various and sundry places on Sam’s behalf, on a quest for partners in action, meaningful numbers and the appropriate policy levers to make a difference in our economy.  Her professional background includes working in Gov. Barbara Roberts’ office (kids and legislators), teaching (Montessori in Portland Public Schools), directing the State Commission on Children and Families, running a skunkworks operation at worksystems, inc. and working with high growth, high demand business and industry through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Regional Office in San Francisco.

Michael  was Sam's Technology Innovation Director until late October, 2006.  He continues volunteering his time to help with the blog and other technology issues.  He can be reached at michael@andaio.com.