Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly

Prosper Portland held a celebration on June 28 honoring outgoing board chair Tom Kelly and commissioner Mark Edlen, who are both retiring from the board. Over the past three years, Kelly and Edlen led the agency through some of its most important and high profile projects, including the launch of the agency’s 2015-2020 Strategic Plan, the purchase of the USPS facility in NW Portland, the ongoing progress of the Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative districts, the redevelopment of Lents Town Center, the establishment of the Inclusive Startup Fund, and most recently, the adoption of the Communications Strategy and rebrand.

Mark Edlen

Mark Edlen

Kelly began his term in January 2014, appointed by Mayor Charlie Hales, and was elected board chair in June 2014. He was the first second-generation member of the agency board; his father, Neil, served from 1985-90. Edlen began his term on October 1, 2014. Both men have been valuable contributors to the agency’s transformative commitment to build an equitable economy in Portland. We wish them all the best!