What's next for Rob Drake

After four terms as Beaverton’s mayor, the Murrayhill father talks about life after city hall

By Christina Lent

The Beaverton Valley Times, Nov 20, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Jaime Valdez / The Beaverton Valley Times

Beaverton Mayor Rob Drake says he still wants “to make a difference.”

Mayor Rob Drake is expecting a “significant change” in the new year when he steps down from the helm of the city of Beaverton.

For one thing, he won’t be on call around the clock. He also won’t have to plan family outings around civic obligations. He may finally be able to take up golf and other hobbies besides running and gardening.

But perhaps the biggest change will be shedding his official public persona and being Rob, a Beaverton resident, Eileen’s husband and proud father of John, 27, and Jordan, 14.

Professionally, he’s not quite certain whether his next job will be in the public or private sector.

“At this point I’m still looking and mulling my options,” Drake said. “I’m not feeling a great deal of pressure.

“I still want to make a difference, and I would want my next job to be service-oriented. Beyond that, it would be hard to say what my ideal position would be. I have a lot of energy and I’m used to hard work and long days. I really enjoy public service. I’ve picked up a lot in 16 years as a chief executive. I think I have a lot to offer.”

He is already on the hunt for job opportunities and was close to securing a position (which he did not identify) but budget cuts took that option off the table.

“Like anybody, I do have concerns about looking for a job in this economy, but fortunately I bring a unique set of skills,” Drake admitted. “I managed a staff of almost 500 employees and a $159 million budget.”

Though Drake chose to not reveal positions he hopes to be considered for, he did say he has a few irons in the fire.

“I want to get back in the saddle pretty fast,” Drake said. “I’m not a guy who can just sit around.

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