New Oregon Transportation Commissioner Confirmed

September 26, 2018

For more information, contact Tom Fuller, ODOT Communications Manager , 503-986-3455

SALEM — The Oregon Senate today confirmed Julie Brown as the newest member of the Oregon Transportation Commission. Julie has served as the General Manager for the Rogue Valley Transportation District for over eleven years, as part of 22 years of experience in the transportation world. “Julie brings energy, vision and vast experience to the table,” said Tammy Baney, Chair of the Oregon Transportation Commission. “We are truly excited to have her join our group at a time when transportation is front-of-mind for many Oregonians.”

The Commission oversees the Oregon Transportation Department and serves as the top policy body for Oregon’s transportation system. “We have tremendous respect for Julie,” said Matthew Garrett, Director of ODOT. “She has enhanced and added great value to the transportation debate in Oregon. We need her depth of experience and her passion to help keep Oregon moving,” said Garrett.

Brown served as the president of the Oregon Transit Association, the Oregon Transportation Safety Committee and as chair of the Public Transportation Advisory Committee. “I’m excited to serve in this new capacity,” said Brown. “Representing the needs of transit will provide a new perspective to the Commission, and will help us improve the lives of many Oregonians,” she said.

The coming of one commissioner means the departure of another. Sean O’Hollaren served as Commissioner for four years. He was recently appointed to the Port of Portland Commission. O’Hollaren served as vice-chair of the Portland Value Pricing Policy Advisory Committee. “It has been my honor to serve you and the People of Oregon,” O’Hollaren said. “Together we have put in place new policies addressing immediate and long-term safety, development and management of the statewide transportation network – actions critical to Oregon’s economy and livability,” O’Hollaren said.

As Oregon Transportation Commission Chair Tammy Baney enters her seventh year as a commissioner, she has appointed Robert Van Brocklin as vice-chair. “As we look to the horizon,” Chair Baney said, “we need to make sure we have continuity and though the work of the Commission is not an easy lift, I am confident Commissioner Van Brocklin has the time, talent and understanding of what this means.”

Van Brocklin is a partner in the law firm of Stoel Rives LLP where his practice focuses on energy, land use, and infrastructure development.

Bios of the Commission members can be found on ODOT’s website. High resolution photos of Julie Brown are available on ODOT’s Dropbox page.