Metro COO announces new General Manager for Visitor Venues
Metro news release: June 4, 2010
Contact: Karen Kane, 503-797-1942, Karen.Kane@oregonmetro.gov
New manager to oversee OCC, Expo, PCPA and Oregon Zoo
After a nation-wide search, Metro Chief Operating Officer Michael Jordan has named Teri Dresler as general manager of the agency's visitor venues. Dresler will oversee the Oregon Convention Center, the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, the Expo Center and the Oregon Zoo.
Dresler most recently managed Metro's Parks and Environmental Services division, and brings extensive experience in operations, guest services and visitor facility management.
"Teri has proven her leadership skills at Metro while serving as operations director at the Oregon Zoo and in our parks department," Jordan said. "She is clearly committed to high quality services, programming and visitor experiences, and above all, recognizes the crucial role that our visitor venues play in making our region a great place. Under Teri's leadership, Metro will better support our venue staff and improve the already excellent service and benefits the region receives from our facilities."
The position of General Manager of Visitor Venues replaces the former General Manager of MERC Venues and will report directly to the Metro COO. The current directors at the Zoo, OCC, Expo and PCPA will maintain day-to-day responsibility for their venues while reporting to Dresler.
Jordan noted that more than half the staff at Metro is in the business of providing on-the-ground service to customers. He said that the former MERC general manager position was expanded to include management of the Oregon Zoo to bring improved transparency and accountability to senior management and to help build an even stronger venue management team at Metro.
"Our staff welcomes millions of visitors every year and provides unparalleled entertainment, culture, arts, education and recreational opportunities," Jordan said. "Having one manager oversee these operations ensures Metro venues remain at the forefront of their industries as well as guarantees their continued successful contribution to the economic health of the region."
Dresler will also play a leadership role in maintaining and improving Metro's relationships with the City of Portland, the Oregon Tourism Commission - known as Travel Oregon, Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties, Travel Oregon, and private sector partners in the lodging and rental car industries.
She will begin serving in her new position on July 6.
Metro, the regional government that serves 1.5 million people who live in the 25 cities and three counties of the Portland metropolitan area, provides planning and other services that protect the nature and livability of our region.
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About Metro
An elected regional government, Metro helps you make the region an extraordinary place to live, work and play. Metro serves more than 1.5 million residents in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties and the 25 cities in the Portland region.
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Metro owns and operates the Oregon Convention Center and the Portland Metropolitan Exposition Center and operates the Portland Center for the Performing Arts.
Oregon Zoo
From concerts and seasonal events such as Zoo Lights to exciting exhibits and attractions, there's a whole lot to do at the Oregon Zoo.