The City of Portland announces leadership changes within its Water Bureau and Bureau of Environmental Services (BES). Edward Campbell, interim director of the Portland Water Bureau, and Dawn Uchiyama, director of BES, have both decided to retire next month after over 25 years of dedicated service each.
“Edward Campbell and Dawn Uchiyama have been pivotal in developing Portland's essential infrastructure,” said Deputy City Administrator of Public Works Priya Dhanapal, who oversees the Public Works service area. “Their leadership has guided the bureaus through substantial projects, policy adaptations, and evolving community needs, maintaining the resilience and strength of Portland’s water and environmental services.”
Quisha Light will serve as acting director of the Water Bureau. Light brings a wealth of experience from her tenure as customer service director and her background in law and energy, notably from Portland General Electric.
Ting Lu, who joined BES in 2023 as deputy director, will now serve as the bureau’s acting director. An innovative and experienced utility leader with over 15 years of diversified and progressive leadership experience, Lu brings extensive technical expertise and strategic leadership to improve operation efficiency, watershed and community outcome.
In tandem with these leadership changes, the City is advancing the One Water Initiative to enhance collaboration, service delivery, and financial sustainability. Mayor Wilson, City Administrator Jordan and Deputy City Administrator Dhanapal support recruiting a single director to lead both bureaus. A national search will be conducted to identify the right candidate for this combined role.
“The City of Portland remains committed to delivering safe, reliable drinking water and protecting public health and the environment,” said City Administrator Michael Jordan. “Throughout the transition, transparency, collaboration and information sharing with partners will be prioritized.”
During this transition, acting directors will continue to lead their respective bureaus and work towards integrating leadership and administrative functions, ensuring efficient management of the city's water and environmental services.