Kotek Launches Prosperity Council as Oregon Struggles With One of the Nation’s Worst Jobless Rates
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek announced the members of her newly established Prosperity Council on Thursday. The Council is tasked with charting the state’s Prosperity Roadmap.
Oregon Prosperity Council
The Governor’s Prosperity Roadmap, announced on December 2, details an actionable plan to accelerate Oregon’s economy, create good-paying jobs, and recruit and grow Oregon’s businesses. Included in the roadmap.
Source: Oregon’s Prosperity Roadmap / December 2025
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The Governor has now charged the Council with advising her on near and long-term strategies to achieve these goals.
Membership of the Prosperity Council, an advisory body to the Governor, was drawn from different regions of the state, critical industry sectors, and labor, and these advisors will make recommendations and propose the next steps to support the goals of the Prosperity Roadmap.
Here is the full roster of the Governor’s new Prosperity Council:
| Member | Organization | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Renée James | Ampere Computing | Co chair |
| Curtis Robinhold | Port of Portland | Co chair |
| David Booth | Tillamook Creamery | Member |
| Robert Camarillo | Oregon Building Trades | Member |
| Lois Cho | Cho Wines | Member |
| Andrew Colas | Colas Construction | Member |
| Alice Dale | Labor Consultant / SEIU | Member |
| Dave Drinkward | Hoffman Construction | Member |
| Diane Fraiman | Voyager Capital | Member |
| Brian Hall | NIC Industries | Member |
| Stephen Lafoon | Penderia Technology | Member |
| Richelle Luther | Columbia Sportswear | Member |
| Toby Luther | Lone Rock Resources | Member |
| Laura Naumes | Naumes, Inc. | Member |
| Brad DePuytl | Fort George Brewing | Member |
| Jordan Schnitzer | Portland philanthropist | Member |
Governor Kotek said, “I am counting on the expertise and talent gathered on this Council to help build the next decade of economic growth in Oregon.”
The Council will hold its first meeting this month. It will determine a public engagement strategy to solicit feedback from Oregonians. The Council is required to deliver a report with recommendations by June 30, 2026.
In addition, the Governor prioritized one of her 2026 session bills to remove barriers to growth and incentivize investment. The bill will establish a new FastTrack Program to support large projects that have the potential to create jobs and grow Oregon’s GDP.
The Governor plans to announce her new Chief Prosperity Officer imminently.
Will Kotek’s Prosperity Roadmap Actually Move Oregon’s Stubborn Jobless Rate?
In November, Oregon’s unemployment rate hit 5.2% as the state fell to 47th-worst nationwide.
While the latest report from the state shows employers added a net 1,600 jobs after seasonal adjustments, including 10,900 in health care and social assistance, these gains may not be favorable for typical job seekers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics LAUS / Unemployment Rates for States / November 2025
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In her Prosperity Roadmap announcement, Governor Kotek noted sluggish job growth and elevated levels in the state. She said these are aspects that demand coordinated, strategic action.
While the Governor said. “With actionable steps and a shared vision, we can and will create an economy that works for everyone,” it remains to be seen whether the new Prosperity Council can make inroads into the current critical unemployment situation.