Dr. LaVerne Lewis becomes first Black President of TriMet’s Board of Directors

Appointed to the Board in 2021, Dr. Lewis served as Vice President from 2023-2024 and becomes the agency's first President of African American descent

During its July 24 meeting, TriMet's Board of Directors elected Dr. LaVerne Lewis as their new President. Lewis will begin her term on August 1, 2024, becoming the first person of African American descent to permanently serve in the role. Appointed to the Board by Gov. Kate Brown in 2021, Lewis represents District 6, which includes East Multnomah County and communities such as Fairview, Troutdale and Gresham.

"I am immensely grateful and proud to serve as President of the TriMet Board of Directors. It is a privilege to work alongside talented, dedicated and passionate Board members and agency staff committed to improving our public transportation system for the benefit of our communities," said Lewis.

She replaces District 2 Director Osvaldo "Ozzie" Gonzalez, who was selected as Board President in 2023. Gonzalez announced his intent to resign from the Board in June, due to a residential move outside the boundary of the district he was appointed to represent.

Joining Lewis on the Board leadership is District 1 Director Thomas Kim, who will serve as Vice President. District 7 Director Kathy Wai remains in her role as Board Secretary/Treasurer.

A business owner with a career in law enforcement and education

Before being named TriMet Board President, Lewis fulfilled three years of service to the Board. She brings a rich personal history and diverse professional experience to the role of President, which includes extensive work in law enforcement and education. She is also a business owner.

Lewis spent nearly 18 years with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, where she retired as a Corrections Deputy and also worked as a training instructor at the Oregon Public Safety Academy's Department of Public Safety Standards and Training for seven years.

As the owner of the small business, LaVerne Lewis LLC, Lewis shares her 40 years of experience in taxation and accountancy in personal, corporate and nonprofit services. She is a credentialed tax accountant in the State of Oregon and licensed to practice before the Internal Revenue Service as an Enrolled Agent.

Lewis previously served on the Mt. Hood Community College Board of Education and currently works as an adjunct instructor in the Business Administration Department at Portland Community College. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, a Master's Degree in Education and Human Resource Development and a Doctor of Education degree.

She is also a global humanitarian volunteer with a passion for creating partnerships in sustainable communities. Lewis has traveled extensively and worked to create positive social justice changes that foster cross-cultural education. Locally, she founded the nonprofit Women-SEW, which fosters the development of sewing collectives for women and girls in refugee, immigrant and BIPOC communities, to develop sewing skills and pursue economic and leadership empowerment.

Lewis serves as president of the Faith Northwest United Methodist Foundation's Board of Directors and is active in her local church.

TriMet's Board of Directors

TriMet is governed by our Board of Directors, which is made up of seven volunteer members appointed by Oregon's governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Each member represents a district within TriMet's tri-county service area.

In addition to fulfilling fiduciary responsibilities, the Board hires the General Manager, sets agency policy, reviews and approves major contracts and provides oversight of TriMet Code. Each term covers four years, and members can serve up to two terms. However, a Board member whose term has expired shall continue in service at the pleasure of the governor until a successor is appointed. Board members also serve in liaison roles on special advisory groups and committees.

The Board is taking a break from monthly business meetings in August, with their next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 25. For more information about the TriMet Board, visit trimet.org/board.

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