Port People: Portland (OR)
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The Port of Portland Commission on October 14 welcomed new commissioners Alice Cuprill-Comas and Gary Young. Both were nominated by Gov. Kate Brown and confirmed by the Oregon State Senate.
Ms. Cuprill-Comas is a transactional lawyer, and currently legal counsel at Oregon Health & Science University. A member of the Oregon, Washington and Texas State bars, she was in private practice for more than 15 years, most recently as a partner at Ater, Wynne, LLC in Portland. She has also served as general counsel to Prometheus Energy Company, an alternative fuels company with international operations headquartered in Seattle. She was named a Rising Star by Oregon Super Lawyers in 2010.
Originally from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Ms. Cuprill-Comas earned a BA with honors from the University of Texas in Austin in 1992, and a JD from Lewis & Clark in 1994.
Mr. Young is a native Oregonian and has lived in the Portland area all his life. Since 2013, he has been the business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48 and is responsible for the day to day operations of this 4400-member local. He is directly involved in contract negotiations, health and welfare and pension trusts, as well as being politically active in regards to legislation that affects wages, hours, and working conditions.
Mr. Young served his electrical apprenticeship through the NECA IBEW Electrical Training Center where he earned his General Journeyman electrical license.
As port commissioner, Ms. Cuprill-Comas replaces Paul Rosenbaum, who served as commission vice president, and is CEO and board chairman of SWR Corporation. Mr. Young replaces Commissioner Bruce Holte, a longshoreman and member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Terms for Commissioners Rosenbaum and Holte have expired; both had served since 2007.
The other port commissioners are: Jim Carter, commission president and former Nike, Inc., executive; Tom Chamberlain, commission vice president, and president, Oregon AFL- CIO; Linda Pearce, commission treasurer and CFO of Tillamook County Creamery Association; Robert Levy, commission secretary, and self-employed farmer operating both Windy River and L&L Farms in Hermiston; Diana Daggett; Peter Bragdon, vice president and general counsel, Columbia Sportswear Company; and Tom Tsuruta, adjunct professor at Marylhurst University.
The nine-member commission sets port policy during its monthly meetings. At least two commissioners must each live in one of the three counties that comprise the port district (Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties). The remaining members may live anywhere in 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.
Port of Portland Commissioners Alice Cuprill-Comas (left) and Gary Young
Photos/Port of Portland
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