Governor Kotek's Oregon Prosperity Council: A Closer Look at the Members and Their Potential Impact on Our State's Economy
- Jan 26
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 3
Hey there, fellow landlords, property managers, and real estate investors across the Portland metro and all of Oregon. It's Christian Bryant here from PAROA, your go-to resource for navigating the ever-changing world of rental housing in our great state. Lately, there's been a lot of buzz around Governor Tina Kotek's new initiative to kickstart Oregon's economy. I figured it's worth us taking a deep dive together. After all, a stronger economy means more jobs, more people moving here (or staying), and potentially steadier rental demand. Though we all know it can come with its own set of challenges, like rising costs or new regulations. Who knows, maybe it'll even make filling vacancies a little easier without us having to resort to offering free pizza for a year (tempting as that sounds).
Understanding the Prosperity Roadmap
In December 2025, Governor Kotek unveiled her "Prosperity Roadmap." This plan aims to accelerate economic growth, create good-paying jobs, and make Oregon more attractive to businesses. A key part of that roadmap is the newly formed Oregon Prosperity Council. This advisory group consists of 16 business, labor, and industry leaders. Their task is to provide recommendations on short- and long-term strategies. The council held its first meeting recently and is set to deliver a report by June 30, 2026. They will also engage the public for input along the way.
Who Are the Council Members?
The council is co-chaired by Renée James of Ampere Computing and Curtis Robinhold of the Port of Portland. Former Republican State Senator Tim Knopp serves as the newly appointed Chief Prosperity Officer to coordinate efforts. The group's focus includes streamlining permitting for big projects, exploring tax incentives for job creators, and boosting sectors like tech, manufacturing, agriculture, and trade. For us in the rental housing world, these efforts could indirectly influence housing demand through population growth and job creation. They might even touch on construction and development policies that affect new builds and renovations.
To give you the full picture, I've researched the announced members based on the official announcement and public profiles. Below, I'll break down each one with their background, the expertise they bring to the Oregon Prosperity Council, and any publicly stated goals related to Oregon's economy. Remember, this is an advisory body, so recommendations aren't binding, but they could shape future policies.
Co-Chairs
Renée James, Founder and CEO of Ampere Computing
James is a seasoned tech executive with a long history at Intel. She served as president and led major software and security divisions before founding Ampere in 2018. Ampere specializes in energy-efficient cloud computing processors using ARM architecture. Her expertise lies in high-tech innovation, global supply chains, and scaling manufacturing operations. In statements around the council appointment, James emphasized immediate actions for statewide job creation and improving Oregon's economic situation through stakeholder discussions. Ampere has operations tied to Oregon's tech ecosystem. Pro-growth policies in semiconductors or incentives for tech investment could align with her company's expansion needs.
Curtis Robinhold, Executive Director of the Port of Portland
Robinhold has extensive experience in transportation and logistics. He previously served as chief of staff to former Governor Kate Brown and held leadership roles at the Port. The Port of Portland manages airports, marine terminals, and industrial parks critical to international trade. His expertise is in infrastructure, global commerce, and economic development through trade corridors. Robinhold has spoken about turning insights on growth drivers (and barriers) into actionable steps for Oregon's future. Port-related initiatives, such as infrastructure funding or trade facilitation, could benefit from council recommendations on permitting or investment incentives.
Other Members
David Booth, Associated with Tillamook County Creamery Cooperative
Booth brings experience from the iconic Oregon dairy brand Tillamook, known for cheese and ice cream production. The cooperative represents farmer-owners in food processing and agribusiness. His expertise is in agricultural manufacturing and consumer goods branding. While no specific economic goals were announced individually, the sector often advocates for rural job support and supply chain stability.
Robert Camarillo, Oregon Building Trades Council
Camarillo represents organized labor in construction trades. He has a background in union leadership focused on worker training and safety. His expertise is in workforce development and labor standards in building projects. Labor voices on the council help balance business growth with worker protections.
Lois Cho, Owner of Cho Wines
Cho runs a winery in the Willamette Valley, part of Oregon's renowned wine industry. She has a background in small-scale agriculture and hospitality. Her expertise lies in niche agribusiness and tourism-driven rural economies.
Andrew Colas, Founder and CEO of Colas Construction
Colas founded one of Oregon's largest minority-owned construction firms. His company specializes in commercial and public projects with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. His expertise is in construction management and equitable contracting. His firm could engage with large-scale developments supported by economic initiatives.
Alice Dale, Labor Consultant with SEIU
Dale has a long career in public sector union advocacy, focusing on service employees. Her expertise is in labor policy and worker rights, providing a key labor perspective on job quality.
Dave Drinkward, President and CEO of Hoffman Construction
Drinkward leads one of the Northwest's largest general contractors. His firm is involved in major commercial, healthcare, and tech builds. His expertise is in large-scale construction and project delivery. Construction sector leaders like him often highlight permitting delays as barriers, which align with roadmap goals for faster approvals.
Diane Fraiman, Partner at Voyager Capital
Fraiman is a venture capitalist investing in early-stage tech companies. She has prior roles in software firms. Her expertise lies in startup funding and innovation ecosystems.
Brian Hall, Associated with NIC Industries
Hall is linked to NIC, a manufacturing company specializing in ceramic coatings. His expertise is in advanced manufacturing and niche industrial products.
Stephen Lafoon, Associated with Penderia Technology
Lafoon brings tech entrepreneurship, likely in software or emerging tech solutions. His expertise is in digital innovation and small tech business growth.
Richelle Luther, Executive at Columbia Sportswear
Luther holds a senior role at the Beaverton-based outdoor apparel giant. Her expertise is in consumer goods manufacturing and global retail.
Toby Luther, Associated with Lone Rock Resources
Luther is involved in timber and natural resources management. His expertise is in forestry, sustainable harvesting, and rural resource economies.
Laura Naumes, Associated with Naumes, Inc.
Naumes represents a family-owned fruit growing and packing operation in Southern Oregon. Her expertise is in agriculture, particularly tree fruits, and rural economic challenges.
Brad DePuydt, Owner of Fort George Brewery
DePuydt co-owns the Astoria-based craft brewery, a staple in Oregon's beer scene. His expertise is in small business hospitality and tourism.
Jordan Schnitzer, Real Estate Investor and Philanthropist
Schnitzer is a prominent Portland-based developer through companies like Harsch Investment Properties. He owns extensive commercial and multifamily portfolios across the West. His expertise is in real estate investment, development, and urban revitalization. His involvement in philanthropy supports arts and education. Real estate sectors often benefit from economic growth policies that spur development or investment.
The Impact on Rental Housing
Overall, the Oregon Prosperity Council draws from diverse sectors: tech, construction, agriculture, labor, manufacturing, trade, and real estate. No direct conflicts of interest have been publicly reported for individual members, as this is a volunteer advisory role. However, given their professional ties, recommendations on issues like permitting reforms, tax incentives, or infrastructure could positively affect their industries. For instance, faster approvals for construction firms or trade boosts for ports and exporters could be on the horizon.
As landlords and investors, we'll want to watch how the council's June report influences the 2027 legislative session. Stronger job growth could mean more stable tenancies. However, we must stay vigilant on any housing-related ripple effects.
What do you think? Is this an opportunity or just more talk? Drop your thoughts in the comments or at our next PAROA meeting.
Sources:
Official Announcement: Governor Kotek Announces Prosperity Council Members - https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/GOV/Posts/Post/governor-kotek-announces-prosperity-council-members
Prosperity Roadmap Overview: Various Oregon.gov press releases and related articles
Member backgrounds drawn from company websites, LinkedIn profiles, and news reports including OregonLive, Portland Business Journal, OPB, and Capital Press
Additional context: KGW, KATU, and Oregon Capital Chronicle reports from January 2026
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