On June 16, the Oregon Senate approved Governor Kotek’s appointment of Dr. Michael DeVaughn to the Port of Portland Commission.
“The Port of Portland plays a critical role in driving economic growth in our state, and Mike DeVaughn will bring extensive experience to his new role on the Commission,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “I’m confident that he will support the ongoing work that is an integral piece of our state’s economic prosperity.”
Mike DeVaughn is Dean of the Dr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr. School of Business at the University of Portland and has served in this role since 2021. He also holds the George E. Swindells Chair as Professor in the School’s Management, Strategy and Entrepreneurship discipline group. Mike joined the University of Portland after 13 years on the faculty at the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas (Minneapolis, MN), where he also served in administrative leadership at the institution, and 6 years on the faculty at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
Before his time in academe, Mike enjoyed a successful decade-long career in the private sector working with Ralston Purina, PepsiCo, and Fleet Financial Group (now Bank of America). Mike received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Brown University, his M.B.A. in marketing from Indiana University, and his Ph.D. in strategy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Mike replaces Commissioner Sean O’Hollaren. Other members of the Commission are Alice Cuprill-Comas, Commission president; Michael Alexander, Commission vice president; Katy Coba, Commission treasurer; Ketan Sampat, Commission secretary; Katherine Lam; Richelle Luther; Meg Niemi; and Stuart Strader.
The nine-member Port Commission meets monthly. At least two commissioners must each live in one of the three counties in the Port district (Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties). The remaining members may live in any part of the state. Commissioners are unpaid volunteers who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. They serve four-year terms and can be reappointed for an additional term. Commission presidents are selected by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Commission appoints the Port's executive director.