Portland Mayor Keith Wilson today nominated two public servants to continue vital roles in city government: Michael Jordan as city administrator, and Robert L. Taylor as city attorney.
Under Portland’s new form of government, both nominations require confirmation from City Council, which is slated to vote on the appointments Feb. 5.
Michael Jordan nominated for City Administrator
“I am pleased to nominate Michael Jordan as the City Administrator,” Wilson said. “This appointment is a vital step in our transition, ensuring continuity of operations for the City. With his extensive qualifications and service to Portland, Michael Jordan is uniquely suited to help guide our city through ongoing organizational changes.”
Wilson also said the city will launch a national recruitment for the position this year, aiming to appoint a successor by the beginning of 2026.
Jordan brings a depth of government experience to his work.
From 2022 to 2024, he served as the chief administrative officer in the City’s Office of Management and Finance, which was then the central hub for internal services such as human resources, technology, and finance. After Portlanders voted to change their form of government in 2022, Jordan oversaw the City Transition Team, a project group tasked with preparing for and facilitating the transition. He was formally appointed as interim city administrator by Mayor Ted Wheeler in 2024, at which time he began leading an interdisciplinary leadership team, assisting the Mayor in the City's day-to-day operations, and continued guiding the preparation and implementation of charter change across the organization.
Jordan previously served as director of the Bureau of Environmental Services for the City of Portland and as chief operating officer for the State of Oregon’s executive branch. In that role, he was responsible for leadership and oversight of the day-to-day operations of the state and the Department of Administrative Services. From 2003 to 2011, Jordan oversaw a workforce of 1,600 and a suite of public services and economic development as chief operating officer for Metro, greater Portland’s regional government.
Previous public roles include serving as a Clackamas County Commissioner and Canby City Administrator. Before entering public service, Jordan worked for 11 years at Pacific Power and Light.
“I am honored and humbled to be Mayor Wilson’s nominee for the role of city administrator for the City of Portland,” Jordan said. “I have devoted my career to public service, and after spending the last two-plus years preparing this organization, I would be thrilled to work with the council and the mayor in solidifying the transition to the new form of government. Portland is a great city, and while we have had some challenging times of late, we have a huge opportunity in how this new form of government is implemented. It would be the highlight of my career to assist the council and the mayor in leading our dedicated employees through that transformation.”
Robert Taylor nominated for City Attorney
The city attorney serves as the chief legal counsel for the City and leads the City Attorney's Office, which represents the City’s elected officials, employees, bureaus, offices, boards, and commissions in court and in administrative and quasi-judicial proceedings. In addition, this office advises on policy development and program implementation, advocates and negotiates on behalf of the City, and provides training on various law-related topics.
“I am pleased to bring before the City Council my nominee for City Attorney, Robert Taylor,” Wilson said. “The position of city attorney requires a careful legal mind, diplomacy, and a thoughtful disposition. Having reviewed Mr. Taylor’s qualifications, he has demonstrated a deep understanding of City operations and challenges as well as an ability to guide us in achieving policy objectives while mitigating risk.”
Taylor joined the City Attorney’s Office in 2017 and has served as the city attorney since 2021. As chief legal counsel, he leads a team of over 80 legal professionals tasked with advising elected officials and City staff on high-profile legal issues. Most recently, he has advised the City on the transition from a commission form of government to the current mayor/council form of government as well as City policies related to unsheltered homelessness and public safety.
Prior to coming to the City, he served as deputy secretary of state, secretary of the Oregon Senate, a business litigator in private practice, and as an analyst in the Congressional Budget Office.
Taylor earned his law degree from Willamette University. He also has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Brown University.
“It is a pleasure to serve the City of Portland as we navigate our challenges and opportunities together,” Taylor said. “I’m grateful for the hard work and dedication of every member of the Portland City Attorney’s Office. I am fortunate to serve with them. We are all looking forward to working with the Mayor and Council in the new form of government to move our city forward.”