Neil’s network

By

The Portland Tribune, May 21, 2004, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Neil Goldschmidt’s influence reaches deep into the inner workings of Oregon’s most powerful civic and business circles.

In 34 years as the state’s heaviest hitter in both the public and private sector, he appointed, signed up, hired, assigned, invited, designated and cajoled hundreds of activists. And today their influence continues. His legions can be found on civic boards, in elected office and at the highest levels of business and government, a network that kept him active in the most important doings of the city and state.

Although this listing of people, boards, businesses and agencies with whom he has strong connections is far from complete, it illustrates why a comeback is not outside the realm of possibility.

Goldschmidt is the founder of Goldschmidt Imeson Carter, former mayor of Portland, former U.S. secretary of transportation under President Jimmy Carter, former Oregon governor, former chairman of Oregon Electric Utility Co. and former chairman of the State Board of Higher Education; was appointed by Port of Portland Director Bill Wyatt to head a citizens committee to study Portland International Airport security after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001; and is the husband of Diana Snowden Goldschmidt and brother-in-law of Nancy Goldschmidt.

Individuals

Jerry Bidwell Ð Goldschmidt’s best friend. Head of Bidwell & Co. investment firm. Serves on the Oregon Investment Council and voted to invest state money in the Texas Pacific Group.

David Bragdon Ð Metro presiding officer. Chairman of the Oregon Port Planning and Development Advisory Committee under then-Gov. Goldschmidt. Brother Peter Bragdon is Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s departing chief of staff.

William Campbell Ð Ater Wynne attorney. Worked as director of Goldschmidt-established Oregon Trade and Marketing Center.

John Carter Ð Goldschmidt Imeson Carter partner, NW Natural board member. Former Bechtel executive who joined Goldschmidt Imeson Carter after working on Goldschmidt-brokered TriMet airport MAX line. Partner with wife and Neil and Diana Goldschmidt in Four Fools LLC vineyard in Dundee.

Mark Dodson Ð President and CEO of NW Natural. Husband of former Goldschmidt employee Ruth Ann Dodson. Former Ater Wynne attorney. Member of Oregon Children’s Foundation board of directors.

Ruth Ann Dodson Ð Worked for Goldschmidt for 16 years Ñ in the mayor’s office; in Washington, D.C., when Goldschmidt was U.S. secretary of transportation; and in the governor’s office, where she ran the Office for Boards and Commissions and worked on the Children’s Agenda. Later became a founding member of the Oregon Children’s Foundation board of directors.

Brian Gard Ð Longtime Goldschmidt friend. Partner in Gard & Gerber public relations firm. Representing Goldschmidt during the scandal. Firm retained by SAIF for marketing work, named with Goldschmidt in ethics complaint filed by state Sen. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene. Managed the PGE-backed anti-PUD campaign last fall that included a letter from Goldschmidt opposing the people’s utility district.

Mark Gardiner Ð City of Portland’s chief financial officer under Goldschmidt. Head of Western Financial Group consulting firm. Worked with Goldschmidt on airport MAX line. Serves on Oregon Investment Council and voted to invest public funds in Texas Pacific Group.

Diana Snowden Goldschmidt Ñ Goldschmidt’s wife. Former senior operations executive officer for Pacific Power & Light, former senior vice president of operations for Pacific Telecom, former interim superintendent of Portland Public Schools, current owner of Urban Design Works consulting firm.

Nancy Goldschmidt Ð Married to Goldschmidt’s brother, Steve. Hired by state’s higher education system in 1990 when Goldschmidt was governor. Currently employed at Oregon Health & Science University at the recommendation of Gov. Ted Kulongoski.

Matt Hennessee Ð Chairman of Portland Development Commission. Director of state workers’ compensation division under Goldschmidt.

Thomas Imeson Ð Partner in Goldschmidt Imeson Carter, Port of Portland commissioner. Chief of staff for then-Gov. Goldschmidt, PacifiCorp vice president, Land Conservation and Development Commission member. Chaired Gov.-elect Kulongoski’s transition team.

Gregg Kantor Ð Senior vice president of public and regulatory affairs at NW Natural. Press aide to then-Gov. Goldschmidt.

Ted Kulongoski Ð Oregon governor; ran for the office in 2002 at Goldschmidt’s suggestion. Served as insurance commissioner under then-Gov. Goldschmidt. Helped write workers’ compensation system reforms that allowed SAIF to compete in private sector. Asked Goldschmidt to help devise economic development strategy. Appointed Goldschmidt to chair State Board of Higher Education; Goldschmidt resigned May 6.

Fred Miller Ð Former vice president of public affairs for PGE. Head of state Executive Department under then-Gov. Goldschmidt.

Don Mazziotti Ð Executive director of the Portland Development Commission, chief city planner under then-Mayor Goldschmidt.

Tom Moyer Ð Portland developer behind the Midtown Park Blocks project pushed by Goldschmidt and the Park Blocks Foundation.

1 | 2 Next Page >>

Facebook	Digg	Del.icio.us
Newsvine	Stumbleupon	Reddit