TriMet board names Lewis president

TriMet’s board last week elected LaVerne Lewis as its next president. She will begin her term Aug. 1.

Lewis is the first woman of African American descent to permanently serve in the role, TriMet officials said in a press release. Lewis was appointed to the Portland, Oregon, transit agency’s board by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown in 2021.

As president, she succeeds Osvaldo Gonzalez, who served in the role since 2023. Gonzalez announced in June his intent to resign from the board due to a move outside of the district he represented.

Joining Lewis on the board leadership team is Thomas Kim as vice president. Director Kathy Wai will continue to serve as the board’s secretary and treasurer.

Lewis is a credentialed tax accountant with 40 years of experience. Her professional background also includes 18 years with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, where she retired as a corrections deputy and also worked as a training instructor at the Oregon Public Safety Academy’s Department of Public Safety Standards and Training for seven years.