Local businesses provide employment for area residents and products and services close to home. Mid-county Memo Business Memos celebrate news, advancements, promotions, retirements, expansions and other noteworthy events at these cornerstones of our community. To share news of your business with our readers, Business Memo submissions for the September issue are due by Saturday, Aug. 15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. You may also mail submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR 97230. To leave a phone message, dial 503-287-8904. The Mid-county Memo fax number is 503-249-7672.

 

Former Bureau of Housing exec takes Human Solutions’ helm

The board of directors of Human Solutions, Inc. has announced that Andy Miller is the new executive director of Human Solutions. He succeeds Jean DeMaster, who is retiring.

In a news release announcing the appointment of Miller, Carla Piluso, chair of Human Solutions’ board of directors, said, “We are all extremely pleased to bring a tremendous leader to Human Solutions. Andy Miller has an outstanding record of achievement in housing and dealing with the issues of poverty in our community. Even though no one can replace Jean DeMaster, Andy has the skills, talents and personality to advance Human Solutions’ mission.”

Born and raised in New Rochelle, N.Y., and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell Law School, Miller has lived and worked in Oregon since 1992. Miller’s employment history is diverse and far-reaching. He began his career as an attorney working on anti-poverty issues in legal services programs in Rochester, N.Y. and Bend and Hillsboro here in Oregon. He has represented hundreds of clients in need of legal assistance to escape or prevent homelessness or other impacts of poverty. “This early experience working directly with families and individuals accessing the justice system to secure or protect a home for their family continues to inform my work and advocacy almost daily,” Miller said.

He spent 13 years with the City of Portland Housing Bureau, serving in executive leadership positions as the bureau operations manager and deputy director. During his time with the city, Miller had a record of developing, preserving and advocating for resources to fund effective community-based solutions for homelessness, and he was a key force in the development of hundreds of units of affordable housing. Most recently, Miller served as chief operating officer and director of housing and enterprise operations with Volunteers of America Oregon.

“I have supported and admired the work of Human Solutions for many years—it is indeed a very special player in our region’s social service continuum and a cornerstone of the safety net in East County,” Miller said. “I am privileged and honored to accept this responsibility bestowed by the board of directors of Human Solutions, and I am eager to get right to work with our talented and experienced staff. I am truly humbled to have this opportunity to build upon the outstanding legacy of leadership and advocacy of Jean DeMaster, one of our community’s greatest voices for the needs of its most vulnerable residents.”

For more than 25 years, Human Solutions has worked to help ensure that homeless and low-income families have the tools and resources they need to build pathways out of poverty.

For more information about Human Solutions and its work in the community, visit www.humansolutions.org.

 

Food co-op seeks member-owners
In an effort boost membership, the Montavilla Food Co-op has launched a campaign to sign up 30 new member-owners in 30 days. The campaign began July 15, but you still have until Aug. 15 to join and sustain the drive to open a new, cooperatively run grocery in the Montavilla neighborhood.

A full-share investment is $150, and that’s a one-time investment resulting in lifetime membership. Several payment options are available in lieu of the full $150 at one time.

Member-owners enjoy discounts, promotional sales, year-end profit sharing dividends and, most importantly, voting rights, ensuring that you will have a voice in how the co-op will operate and what products and services will be offered.

There are currently a little more than 300 member-owners. Organizers are seeking 1,000 member-owners to open the co-op.

To become a member-owner or to learn more about the Montavilla Food Co-op, go to www.montavilla.coop on the web or call 971-208-5743.

 

School district moves admin offices

In order to free up more space for teaching and learning services, the David Douglas administrative offices moved to an off-campus location. As of June 29, the admin offices are located at 11300 N.E. Halsey Street on the district’s north boundary line. All telephone numbers remain the same.
Departments included in the move are the District Superintendent, Business, Curriculum, ESL, Human Resources, Student Services, Communication and Technology.

The Administrative offices were formerly in a corner of the David Douglas High School’s south campus at 1500 S.E. 130th Avenue, where the school board will remain and where board meetings will continue to be held.
The school board will meet on August 13 at 7 p.m. Because summer construction work at the site may not be completed by that date, those intending to attend should contact the District Office at 503-252-2900 for the August meeting location.