| Press Release |
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| January 15, 2008 |
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Governor Kulongoski Appoints Chair of Parks and Recreation Commission
Salem – Governor Ted Kulongoski today appointed Jim Parr of Portland as chair of the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission. Parr has served on the commission since 2006, and replaces outgoing chair Bill Gregory.
“Jim’s dedication to both parks and Oregon’s heritage made him an excellent commissioner, and make him exceptionally well suited to serve as chair,” said Governor Kulongoski. “With Oregon’s 150th celebration on the horizon, and the challenge of opening a new park a year, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department director and staff will be well served by Jim’s considerable experience and insight.”
Parr has a degree in architecture from the University of Oregon, and spent his early career focusing on historic renovation, including work on the historic park headquarters at Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon. For the past 20 years, he has been in the financial services industry and is now a Principal of Cairn Investment Group, a Portland-based money management firm, and served on the board of the Oregon State Parks Trust from 2004-2006.
“The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has a key role in conserving and sharing Oregon’s beauty and history,especially with Oregon’s youth,” said Parr. “The Department has the right staff and adequate funding to accomplish their mission, and I look forward to working with the commissioners and all Oregonians to guide their efforts.”
With the announcement of the new chair for the commission, the Governor also took the opportunity to acknowledge the service of outgoing chair, Bill Gregory.
“I want to thank Bill Gregory for his public service on the commission,” said Governor Kulongoski. “His passion and leadership will be missed.”
Governor Kulongoski challenged the department to open one new park a year starting in 2004, funding park development and acquisition with its share of the Oregon Lottery. Stub Stewart near Portland, Sunset Beach on the north coast, Fort Yamhill west of Salem and Thompson’s Mills south of Albany have all opened since then, and Crissey Field near Brookings is due to open in 2008. The department is also working with the Oregon 150 nonprofit organization to help plan the 2009 celebration of Oregon’s 150 years as a state.
Contact:
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-5040
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496
Chris Havel (Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept.)
503-986-0722 or cell, 503-931-2590
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