Ron Paul, Thimble Creek Team Member

Ron Paul, Ron Paul Consulting

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Civic entrepreneur with extensive private and public sector experience developing socially responsible enterprises with high levels of creativity, visibility and integrity. Fiscally responsible leader with innovative solutions for:

• Seamless facilities management and operations
• Sustainable financing and budget design
• Political and organizational consensus-building
• Growth-focused strategic planning
• Marketing and media management
• Regional networking and relationship building
• National outreach and visibility
• Collaborative union and classified environments

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

RON PAUL CONSULTING, Principal Consultant (2006 – present)
Owner of a sustainable Oregon small business specialized in helping public and private sector clients adapt to change. Clients include:

• Conway, real estate development, community relations
• Portland Public Schools Foundation, creative facilities and real estate strategies
• New Seasons Markets, strategic advice, government affairs
• Beam Development, political advice
• Portland Public Market, Consulting Director, public advocacy

PORTLAND PUBLIC MARKET, President of the Board (2003 – 2006)
Spearheaded efforts to design, fund and operate a venue to showcase our region's bounty.

• Oversaw board development and steering committee of over 50 citizens.
• Led business planning, site selection and media relations efforts.
• Sustained long-term public, private and government project momentum.
• Championed entrepreneurial opportunities for local food producers and sellers.
• Current fundraising efforts exceed $1 million toward a $6 million goal.

CITY OF PORTLAND, Political and Operational Leadership (1999 – 2006)
Adeptly navigated the intersection of politics and policy to create the most livable city in the country as:

Sustainable Food Policy Director, Office of Sustainable Development (2005 – 2006)
Special Projects/Arts and Culture, Bureau of Planning (2002 – 2005)
Chief of Staff, City Commissioner Charlie Hales (1999 – 2002)

Vision and Leadership

• Fostered Portland’s enviable reputation in local, national and international settings.
• Initiated plans for a Portland Public Market.
• Devised taxation policies that are fair and progressive for the working citizens of the city.
• Championed citywide arts and culture priorities in all aspects of city planning.
• Built support for transportation initiatives including Airport and Interstate MAX and Portland Streetcar.
• Successfully lobbied Oregon’s congressional delegation to secure appropriations.

Collaboration

• Mediated disputes and devised alternatives with neighborhood and business associations.
• Counseled interest groups representing a full spectrum of under-heard minorities to give voice to their concerns.
• Balanced the needs of the performing arts community with a concept for several smaller performance venues.
• Partnered with community groups, city, county, Metro, state and federal jurisdictions.

Management

• Reconciled diverse Bureau interests and policies without loss of goals and details.
• Oversaw an internal budget of $1.5 million; analyzed city budget components of over $2 billion.
• Managed constituent and press contacts, public appearances, and relations with the Mayor and Council.
• Clarified issues coming before City Council with sensitivity to those requiring serious attention.
• Responded in timely and accurate fashion to constituent concerns.
• Nurtured a dedicated staff and their collective ability to deliver results.

RON PAUL, INC, President and Founder of Ron Paul Catering & Charcuterie (1983 – 1998)
Managed a nationally acclaimed chain of restaurants and catering service with 125 employees who generated over $3 million in annual sales. Built sustained brand identity through community involvement, innovative advertising strategies and stellar customer service honors

• First Oregon chef invited to cook and speak at the James Beard Foundation in New York.
• Rated one of the 100 best companies to work for by Oregon Business Magazine.
• Featured in reviews and articles for media including The New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today.
• Made frequent public speaking appearances for City Club, national conferences, organizations and talk shows.

Socially responsible and sustainable practices

• Pioneered support for local producers by using fresh regional foods and wines
• Recruited diverse, talented workforce and retained them at twice national norm for restaurant industry.
• Budgeted for rapidly changing conditions, analyzed financial factors and modified business plans accordingly.
• Co-founded "Business for Social Responsibility" in the Pacific Northwest.
• Developed extensive in-house, bi-lingual training and continuous improvement programs.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• City Club of Portland, Board of Governors (2005 – present)
• Oregon Arts Commission, Vice Chair (2004 – present)
• Cultural Advocacy Coalition, Board of Directors (2004 – present)
• Steve Lowenstein Trust, Trustee (2001 – present)
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Advisory Committee, PSU (1996 – present)
• Portland Center for the Performing Arts, Advisory Board (2001 – 2006)
• College of Fine and Performing Arts, Advisory Committee, PSU (2001 – 2005)
• Tom Potter for Mayor, Executive Committee (2003 – 2004)
• Business for Social Responsibility, Pacific Northwest Network, Charter Member and Past-President, (1994 – 1998)
• Portland State University Foundation, Board of Directors (1992 – 1998)
• Oregon Food Bank, Property Task Force (1998)
• Presidential Search Committee, Portland State University (1997)
• President’s Summit for America’s Future, Convener (1997)
• Pacific Rim Economic Conference with President Clinton, Invited Guest, PSU (1995)
• Albina Ministerial Alliance, Development Committee (1994)
• Citizen’s Advisory Committee for Eastbank Freeway (1993)