Metro chief operating officer Martha Bennett announced today that Elissa Gertler will be Metro’s next planning and development director beginning March 31st. Bennett previously announced Christopher Wierzbicki would fill the position. After initially accepting, Wierzbicki later told Bennett that unexpected personal matters would prevent him from moving to Oregon to work for Metro.
"Elissa Gertler has a vision for the Planning and Development Department that will help our region remain an outstanding place to live, work, and get outside," Bennett said. "She has a unique combination of experience in working with neighborhood organizing, development, government relations, and planning which means that she knows how to get things done."
Gertler currently is the deputy director Metro’s planning and development department. She oversees Metro’s corridor plans, included the Southwest Corridor Plan and the Powell Division Corridor Plan. Prior to joining Metro, Gertler was the public affairs director for Clackamas County. She also worked in community development, economic development and community relations with the Portland Development Commission.
"I love working at Metro because I love our region and all of its diversity. I love that I can drive when I need to, and ride my bike when I want to. I love that we can access nature and still live in the city. And most importantly, I love the way we all work together so we can be stronger than any one of us can be alone," Gertler said.
"Elissa is a dynamic leader," Bennett said. "She brings energy, enthusiasm, a commitment to public service, and intelligence to Metro and our region. We are fortunate to have her as our new planning and development director."
Gertler has led projects in support of local homebuilders. She worked with the City of Portland to secure voter support for investments in parks. She helped lead both neighborhood and industrial land revitalization projects, and she has worked with elected officials at the local, state and federal level on land use and transportation.
"We have a great foundation of success in our region. I’m very excited to put all of my experience and relationships to work in support of making our region a great place," Gertler said. "Metro has a talented team and excellent partners. I look forward to helping them achieve great things on behalf of everyone in our region."
Gertler received a bachelor's degree in urban planning from the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.
Metro crosses city limits and county lines to build a resilient economy, keep nature close by and respond to a changing climate. Representing a diverse population of 1.5 million people in 25 cities and three counties, Metro's directly elected council gives voters a voice in decisions about how the region grows and communities prosper.