Oregon Environmental Council: Andrea Durbin to transition to City of Portland leadership

After 12 years with OEC, Durbin will head the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Feb. 22, 2019

PORTLAND — The elevator pitch:

The Board of Directors of Oregon Environmental Council announced Andrea Durbin, Executive Director, will end her 12-year employment, effective April 5. Durbin’s tenure includes the leadership on carbon pricing, adoption of Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program, the Coal to Clean law, which doubles Oregon’s renewable energy and gets rid of dirty coal, and the Toxics Free Kids Act, which protects children from dangerous chemicals in children’s products. She is also a founding member of Renew Oregon, a collaborative campaign to engage Oregonians and lawmakers to act on climate. On behalf of Oregon Environmental Council’s staff, Emerging Leaders Board, supporters and partners, the Board of Directors wishes Durbin success as Portland’s new Director at the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS).

At-a-glance:
Who:              Oregon Environmental Council Executive Director Andrea Durbin
What:             Ends 12-year tenure to become Director at Bureau of Planning and Sustainability for the City of Portland
When:             Effective April 5
Where:           Portland, Oregon
Why:              “This is an opportunity to continue to bring my talents and skills to improving the livability and sustainability of Oregon communities,” Durbin said. “In this case, it’s Portland.”
Next:              Board Leadership Transition Committee will first work to find interim executive director and will hire a recruitment firm to lead nationwide search.

More:
OEC Board President Lane Shetterly met with Oregon Environmental Council staff this week to discuss his initial thoughts about the transition and search for a new executive director. He explained the process begins with the establishment of a Board Leadership Transition Committee to select an interim director to start in late March while we start a nationwide search for the next executive director.

Shetterly and OEC Board Vice President Phil Wu told supporters that OEC’s staff is in a strong position with clear direction and programmatic goals for what we intend to accomplish over the next few years on climate protection, toxic-free environments, clean water and pollution-free transportation.

“We are so fortunate to have benefited from Andrea Durbin’s leadership for the past 12 years and are thrilled she will continue to apply her talents to improving the livability and sustainability of Portland,” Mr. Shetterly and Mr. Wu said to donors in an email.

Durbin will exit during the organization’s 51st year, which so far has seen a successful fundraiser, public art installations and events for emerging leaders and for the Board Members and founders who came before us. But most importantly, Durbin has assembled and led a talented team of staff members who advocate in Salem for bills that protect Oregon’s air and water and safeguard our climate (see link below for legislative victories).

“I am excited for OEC and all of you,” Durbin said to staff in an email. “We are in a great place. We have the right team in place to lead the organization forward. We have a very strong and committed Board of Directors who are ready to step up during this leadership transition. And the environmental challenges we are tackling require focus and action — what OEC has demonstrated and delivered for more than 50 years.”

Further reading:
Press release from BPS
OEC legislative summaries
A vision for justice
50 years of #LovingOregon
Organizational and fiscal health
OEC media contacts

–30–

Press contact:
Chris Hagerbaumer, Deputy Director
[email protected], 503-222-1963 ext. 102

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