Environmental leader Annie Von Burg appointed to interim role as Portland’s first assistant city administrator

Press Release

Starting today, Von Burg will oversee Government Relations, Civic Life, Central Communications and Portland Solutions in the City of Portland's executive office.

An experienced public sector leader will serve as Portland's first assistant city administrator, guiding several high-profile programs as the City transitions to a new form of government.

City Administrator Michael Jordan announced Monday that he has selected Annie Von Burg to oversee Government Relations, Civic Life, Central Communications and Portland Solutions - a new program designed to respond to pressing challenges such as homelessness. Von Burg comes directly from the Bureau of Environmental Services, where she has led the City of Portland's efforts to clean up the Willamette River since 2015.

"Portland will benefit from Annie's experience building partnerships, leading teams and solving complex problems," Jordan said. "She will play an essential role in laying the foundation for a successful government transition."

Von Burg's appointment completes the formation of a City Leadership Team, which also includes Jordan and six deputy city administrators who oversee "service areas" - groupings of bureaus and programs with related missions. Like the rest of the team, Von Burg will serve in an interim capacity. She starts her one-year assignment immediately.

As an environmental policy manager, Von Burg has overseen the City of Portland's role in cleaning up the Portland Harbor Superfund: a contaminated stretch of the lower Willamette River between the Broadway Bridge and Sauvie Island. She also led large environmental cleanups through the Brownfields Program and Columbia Slough Cleanup Program, which reached a landmark settlement this year with the Department of Environmental Quality.

Previously, Von Burg worked on international projects for the United Nations Environment Program, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Women's Aid Organization, focused on advancing global initiatives for sustainable economic development, climate resiliency and protection of vulnerable communities. From 2008 to 2013, she served as a policy analyst at the Metro regional government, managing the executive office and working on regional policy issues and large organizational change.

Von Burg said she is excited to play a leadership role in implementing voter-approved charter reforms, which fundamentally change the way Portland elects leaders and operates city government. The City is reorganizing its programs starting today, in preparation for the first ranked-choice election in November and official launch Jan 1.

"Portland Solutions is on point to address some of our city's most complicated challenges. It works with neighborhoods and business districts to deliver real-time solutions on multiple livability issues," Von Burg said. "Communication, engagement and relationships with other governments will all be vital to Portland's success in delivering the results that Portlanders expect from their city government."