Meet the team
Sam Adams
Commissioner of Public Utilities
The Portland Tribune called Portland's newest City Commissioner Sam Adams "The council’s most vocal advocate for public arts, neighborhoods, diversity, transportation, economic development, and transparency and accountability in government." That long list...
Jane Ames - Senior Policy Director
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...
Jesse Beason - Senior Policy Director
Housing, Arts & Culture 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...
Roland Chlapowski - Policy Analyst
Assistant liaison to transportation
Roland Chlapowski works on transportation-related issues with the Portland Department of Transportation (PDOT). Roland grew up in the Metro-Boston area, and moved to Portland to attend Reed College. There, he was active in community service, environmental activism, and student government...
David Gonzalez - Operations Manager
David Gonzalez is the Operations Manager for Commissioner Sam Adams. David is part scheduler, part concierge and all around problem solver for the office. David moved to Portland a short time ago from San Francisco...
Warren Jimenez - Senior Policy Director
Economic Development, Businesses and Employment
From Pizza Hut to City Hall, Warren Jimenez brings an array of business experiences and economic skills to Commissioner Sam Adams’ team. Working his way through college,Warren managed a Pizza Hut and helped it win the accolade of being number one in the nation. Warren then put his business degree from Walla Walla College to work...
Gordon Johnston - Citizens' Advocate
Gordon Johnston serves all residents of Portland as Commissioner Sam Adams’ Citizens’ Advocate. Gordon is your personal link to the Commissioner’s office. He also advocates on your behalf to city bureaus and departments. Gordon's mission is to assure residents that city government is responsive to your needs. According to The Oregonian, people feel heard when City Hall listens...
Greg Leiher - Public Liaison
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...
Maria Lynn Lim - Front Office Manager
Maria Lynn Futalan Lim is your first contact to Commissioner Sam Adams’ Office. She welcomes visitors, answers the phone, provides staff support, and tends to a sundry of administrative duties. Maria helps to set the tone of our office and ensures everything runs smoothly. Maria immigrated to Portland from the Philippines fifteen years ago...
Mary Jo Markle - Policy Analyst
Good government
Mary Jo (who you can also call MJ) is the contact on Commissioner Adam’s staff for issues that pertain to Good Government. She volunteered for Sam’s campaign shortly after moving to Portland from West Chester, Pennsylvania, in September 2004. From a young age, Mary Jo enjoyed reading political biographies and playing sports. Mary Jo’s love of politics and athletics led her...
Tom Miller - Chief of Staff
Transportation liaison
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 with a two-year sojourn to Central America...
Terry Richardson - Labor Liaison
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...
Maria Thi Mai - Senior Policy Director
Livability, Environment and Sustainability
As a Senior Policy Director, Maria Thi Mai represents Commissioner Sam Adams on issues related to Neighborhoods, Environment, Sustainability, Parks, and Utilities. Maria brings to City Hall more than 15 years of public service and a decade of neighborhood activism...
Rebecca Toland - Citizens' Advocate Intern
As a graduate student at Portland State University's School of Public Administration, Rebecca Toland joined the office this fall to work with Gordon Johnston, Commissioner Adams’ Citizens’ Advocate, on a wide array of public issues. Rebecca grew up in the Chicago area, but headed west for college and never looked...
Diane Walton - Policy Cartographer
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. Diane doesn’t spend much time in the office but can be found in various and sundry places on Sam’s behalf...
Office alumni
Ben DuPree- Policy Intern
Ben DuPree joined Sam Adams’ office in June, 2005. He works under Warren Jimenez on issues pertaining to the workplace, economy, and public relations...
Elicia Cardenas
Assistant to Gordon Johnston, Citizens' AdvocateElicia has a strong background in community involvement, holding the position of Vice-Chair of Portland's Bicycle Advisory Committee, and is an active member of SHIFT, a bike fun organization. She is also bicycle safety teacher for the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. Elicia comes from a performing background, having worked as part of the stage managment team for Oregon Ballet Theate, Portland Opera...
Brian Russell - Roving Intern
Not your typical city government intern, Brian comes to us from the world of food. He has spent the majority of his life in front of cutting boards and gas burners. He has headed local restaurants, such as Carlyle, La Prima and La Buca, and even owned his own establishment, Café Fraiche...
Andrew Tuttle - Staff Intern
Home for the summer from school, Andrew is interning for the office working on a number of office projects. Andrew has just finished his first year at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. where he is studying International Affairs...
