Our Team

Eric Cress is a real estate principal and civic leader. He currently serves as President and Founder of Urban Development + Partners (UDP), where he oversees company strategy, supports daily operations, and leads the investment committee. With nearly two decades of executive leadership in the real estate sector, Eric has built a reputation for managing complex urban mixed-use projects that drive economic activity. He was first appointed to the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners on March 11, 2026.

As the SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Oregon State Council Director, Felisa Hagins has dedicated her career to advocating for fair labor practices and economic equity, ensuring that every worker, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive. Felisa’s experience in labor relations, labor policy, housing advocacy, commercial development, and workforce development has equipped her with a deep understanding of the economic challenges that diverse communities face in Portland. Felisa is committed to bringing this crucial perspective to the forefront, striving to implement strategies that elevate economic prosperity and create equitable opportunities across all sectors of our city. She was appointed to the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners on June 5, 2024.

Gustavo (Tavo) Cruz is a Partner at the law firm of Hathaway Larson with a practice in commercial finance, corporate finance and general business matters. His background includes work as a commercial banker and credit approval officer for U.S. Bank, as well as in-house counsel for U.S. Bank in the Special Assets Group. He was born in Portland and has been active on numerous nonprofit boards, including the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber, Portland Center Stage, Literary Arts, and the Northwest District Association (the neighborhood association for NW Portland). He also served as the Chair of the Business Law and Securities Law Sections of the Oregon State Bar. He played rugby in college and for a men’s club team and enjoys attending University of Oregon football games. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon and Lewis and Clark Law School. He was appointed to the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners on July 1, 2015.

Marcelino Alvarez is the CEO of Photon Marine, which is building an intelligent electric outboard motor system, tailored to commercial boat fleets. He began his career in advertising, producing digital campaigns at Crispin Porter + Bogusky and Wieden + Kennedy. He later founded Uncorked Studios, a product design firm that helped companies such as Samsung, Nike, Google, Intel, and Adidas bring innovative software and hardware products to market. He is a mentor for PIE (Portland Incubator Experiment) and a member of the board of directors for The Freshwater Trust. He was appointed to the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners on September 6, 2023.

Serena Stoudamire Wesley is a lifelong Oregonian recognized for her expertise in public service, community engagement, and strategic leadership. She currently serves as Assistant Director for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Serena previously served as Deputy Director and Chief Program Officer for the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care, Chief Cultural Change Officer for the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, Director of The Youth Development Division, and Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Governor Kate Brown, where she shaped statewide equity strategies and policy direction. She has served on the Board of Trustees for Warner Pacific University, the Portland Children’s Levy Allocation Committee, and represented the Chief Education Office on both the Education Northwest Board of Directors and the Oregon Leadership Network Executive Committee. She was first appointed to the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners on July 10, 2020 and subsequently reappointed for a third term ending September 30, 2028.