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Metro Council President David Bragdon
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David Bragdon is the Metro Council president, elected regionwide.
David Bragdon became the Metro Council's first regionally elected President on Jan. 6, 2003, representing the voters of the metropolitan region. He was first elected to the Metro Council in 1998 as a district Councilor. Under David's leadership as Council President, the Metro Council has undertaken new initiatives to preserve natural areas and protect water quality, support thriving neighborhoods, create jobs and economic prosperity, and improve our transportation network. To accomplish these ambitious goals, David has led a sweeping organizational reform initiative that has made the Metro agency more effective and accountable.
Work experience
Prior to his service on the Metro Council, David built a successful career in the private sector transportation and international marketing industry. He developed new shipping strategies at Nike, chartered freighters at Lasco Shipping Co. and represented Evergreen Airlines in the Soviet Union, India, and China. David served as marine marketing manager at the Port of Portland for five years. When elected to the Metro Council in 1998, he supplemented his part time position by working as a cab driver for Broadway Cab.
Connecting Green 2007
On June 28, Connecting Green 2007 served as a call to action for the region's business, foundation and nonprofit leaders, parks directors, federal and state political partners, citizens, and elected officials take part in making a regionwide network of parks, trails and natural areas a reality.
Personal interests
David grew up in Portland, where he graduated from Catlin Gabel High School. He earned an honors degree from Harvard College in 1982. He lives in downtown Portland and his interests include hiking and volunteering in our regional parks, attending local arts performances, and traveling by train.
David's initiatives
- Create one of the world's most distinguished regional systems of parks, trails, and natural areas in the world: David is leading an initiative to fully capture the opportunity presented by the region's exceptional natural inheritance. Read more
- Establish fiscal responsibility: David's financial reforms have led to five years of fiscally conservative and responsible budget management and made Metro one of only two governments in the state to achieve AAA ratings from both Moody's and Standard and Poor's.Read more
- Preserve our natural areas and protect our water quality: David is leading the effort to protect and preserve the region's water and air quality, fish and wildlife habitat. His $227.4 million bond measure to purchase 4,000 acres of natural areas won 58% of the vote in November 2006.Read more
- Create jobs and regional prosperity: David is aligning Metro behind a regional economic strategy to give our citizens a wider range of choices for earning a living. Read more
- Plan for quality growth: David is using regional planning as a tool to protect quality of life and create new options. Read more
- Lead regionally: David is making Metro a leader in bringing diverse interests to the table to solve regional problems. Read more
David's speeches
- 2008 City Club Friday Forum
On March 14, 2008 Council President David Bragdon and Neil Peirce, columnist and chair of the Citistates Group, spoke at the Portland City Club about the Connecting Green initiative. Read more
- Connecting Green 2007 Speech
On June 28, 2007 Metro Council Presidnet David Bragdon delivered a challenge to create the world's greatest system of parks, trails and natural areas. Read more - 2007 Inaugural Speech
On January 2 at the Oregon Zoo, Metro Council President David Bragdon was sworn in for his second term as Council President and deliverd his inaugural speech outlining his agenda for the the next four years. Read more - Earlier speeches
Additional speeches delivered by Metro Council President David Bragdon. Read more
In the news
- "A Mind for Place-Making", Daily Journal of Commerce, December 15, 2006
- "Man With a Plan," Daily Journal of Commerce, November 1, 2005 (92K PDF)
- "Metro Council President Seeks to Create Jobs, Keep His Own," the Oregonian, January 18, 2006 (19K PDF)
Need assistance?
Metro Council President David Bragdon503-797-1889 | 503-797-1793 fax
david.bragdon@oregonmetro.gov
or
Lake Strongheart McTighe
503-797-1560
lake.mctighe@oregonmetro.gov