June 10, 2005

Williams Named as Candidate for PDC Director Position

Lane Powell shareholder Karen Williams was nominated on Friday, June 10, as one of four candidates to head the Portland Development Commission (PDC) as its executive director.

As a candidate for the directorship, Karen is in the company of some of Portland’s finest. The nominees include David Knowles of David Evans and Associates; Gilbert Jimenez, director of the Arizona Department of Commerce; and Bruce Warner, director of the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Karen has worked with PDC since 1994, serving as the commission’s general counsel before leaving her post in 2001 to join Lane Powell. After leaving PDC she continued her affiliation with the organization, negotiating for PDC on the development of the Airport Light Rail and the Portland International Center. She also represented PDC in its financing of the Portland Armory Project.

The public will have the opportunity to meet with the candidates during two community forums from noon to 3 p.m. June 17 and 18 at the Commission Room in PDC’s offices at 222 N.W. Fifth Ave.

News of her candidacy has appeared in the June 13 Portland Daily Journal of Commerce and in a Portland Business Journal Daily Alert.

The June 14 issue of The Oregonian featured stories (Article 1/Article 2) about the PDC executive director search in the front page news of its business section.

Williams’ practice focuses on public and private development, and financing.