The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on Thursday, March 13, unanimously confirmed Christopher L. Neal as the County’s next Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Director of County Management. Chair Jessica Vega Pederson selected Neal for the County’s top administrative job from a pool of 84 applicants after a national recruitment and hiring process.
Neal will begin work at the County on April 7.
“It's a big job at a pivotal moment,’’ said Chair Vega Pederson. “It's one Chris is uniquely qualified to fill.’’
Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards said she wanted the incoming chief operating officer to have a track record of operational excellence in a large and diverse public agency. In Neal, she said, she found a candidate who met that bar, and who also is strategic, follows best practices, and will lean into the mission of the County.
“I think you're exactly what we need at this moment in time,” Brim-Edwards said.
Neal will oversee the County’s daily operations and its more than 6,000 employees, and he will guide and support the County’s senior leaders to ensure effective administration, financial management and operational consistency. He is also charged with continuing to roll out the County’s Workforce Equity Strategic Plan and developing the County’s strategic plan.
In brief but inspiring remarks to the Board, Neal acknowledged he arrives at a difficult time in County history amid significant budget shortfalls in the general fund and homeless services.
“But we all know that during these times of adversity, we become our most creative, bold, and daring. These qualities have carried us through to the other side before, and they will again.’’
Neal said the Board can expect him to lead with transparency, “because it leads to trust in our good work;” active listening, “to understand and respond effectively;” collaboration with with County partners, including city, county, state, and community stakeholders; and communication, “early and often, about our goals, priorities, and vision.”
But he reiterated it is the people at the County who led him to take the job.
“These heroes inspire me to do more, and we have 6,000 of them in Multnomah County — employees who run the shelters, lift the bridges, treat the sick and comfort our elders. We have hundreds of volunteers who walk the dogs at the shelter, participate in budget committees, and supplement our staff. They are why I’m here today.”
Neal comes to the County from the Port of Portland, where since 2020, he’s been the Director and Sponsor of Operations for PDX Next, a series of five projects to renovate Portland International Airport’s main terminal, expand the concourses and make the airport more earthquake resilient. The new main terminal that opened August 2024 was the largest public works project in the state and doubled the airport’s capacity. More than 30,000 local craftspeople are expected to contribute to PDX Next by the time the terminal is complete in 2026.
Prior to PDX Next, Neal had been Director of Public Safety and Security at the Port of Portland since 2016, where he oversaw the Port of Portland police, fire and airport communications center. He came to the Port from leadership positions with the Transportation Security Administration in Portland International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National, Dulles International and Denver International airports.
The son of parents who both served in the U.S. Navy, Neal enlisted in the U.S. Army and served on the Presidential Honor Guard in Washington, D.C., escorting President George W. Bush at the White House. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in international and government relations at George Mason University.
Commissioners Meghan Moyer and Shannon Singleton expressed their confidence in Neal, while Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon thanked Travis Graves, the deputy chief operating officer who stepped up as interim in September 2024.
Commissioner Jones-Dixon noted Neal mentioned in his remarks that his last position was “building America's favorite airport.”
“I believe our board is looking forward to working with you, as far building America's favorite County, as well — so welcome, welcome."
