Exit Interviews: Metro President Tom Hughes

Tom Hughes's second and final term as Metro President will end in January. After 8 years leading Metro, what has he learned about our region? What are his personal highlights from his time working for Metro and what would he have done differently knowing then what he knows now? Join us as we ask these and other questions at Friday Forum!

About Tom

Tom Hughes is President of the Metro Council, the elected leadership of the Metro regional government. He was elected in November of 2010, and re-elected in May 2014, on a platform that emphasized jobs and economic development. Among his achievements as Metro Council President, he has led efforts to strengthen regional job growth and gain voters’ support of two maintenance levies for parks and natural areas. He also led the way in updating Metro’s approach to managing the urban growth boundary; championed the agency’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; realized the construction of the Oregon Convention Center headquarters hotel; and made progress on reconnecting the public to Willamette Falls. Prior to his time at Metro, he served eight years as mayor of Hillsboro, where he led the effort to attract and retain major high-tech and renewable energy employers and secured state and federal funding for significant transportation investments. He lives in Hillsboro with his wife, Gayle, and has two grown daughters.

Moderator

Emerald Bogue has worked in local politics for more than a decade—including policy roles at the City of Portland and Multnomah County as well as managing multiple campaigns. Prior to this, she was a labor organizer. In her current role at the Port of Portland, Emerald is responsible for regional government affairs. 

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