Argomenti trattati
The Oregon Tourism Commission is charged under ORS. 284.142 with hiring the next Executive Director of Travel Oregon. When the current chief executive announced plans to retire, the Commission engaged with the Oregon Department of Justice and the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to shape a search that adheres to state best practices and Oregon’s public meetings and records obligations. This page exists to maintain transparency: it summarizes actions taken, lists meeting records, and provides a single point of reference for stakeholders and the public as the process unfolds.
Current status and immediate next steps
As of this update, the application window for the Executive Director position closed on March 30, 2026. The candidate review is being led by the retained executive search firm, Heidrick & Struggles, with the Commission coordinating review activities under applicable public meeting laws. The Commission anticipated convening a mix of public meetings and executive sessions in early April to consider applications; following that schedule, the goal is to begin interviews in mid-April and continue the process into May. The search subcommittee met publicly on April 17, 2026, and a recording of that meeting is available for review. Questions can be directed to the executive search firm at [email protected].
How the hiring process was organized
The search effort followed a stepwise approach that started with Commission appointments and moved through a competitive selection for a search partner. On October 8, 2026, the Commission welcomed two new members and established a dedicated CEO Search Subcommittee. The Subcommittee then ran an intermediate RFP process to identify a qualified executive search firm; on November 14, 2026, it voted to recommend Heidrick & Struggles to the full Commission. By December 3, 2026, the Commission reported that contracting with the chosen firm was underway and that a third-party compensation study had been commissioned to inform the salary range and recruitment strategy.
Key public meetings and formal decisions
In late January 2026 the Commission engaged the public on hiring standards and the proposed recruitment plan. On January 29, 2026 the public had an opportunity to comment on the standards, policy directives, and the hiring plan presented by Heidrick & Struggles. The Commission reconvened on January 30, 2026 to consider the public input, finalize and adopt the hiring standards and policy directives, and to deliberate and adopt the approved compensation range. Each of these meetings has an associated recording and set of minutes that are posted for public review, and those records will continue to be added as the search proceeds.
What to expect in the coming weeks
The timeline set by the Commission envisions several public and executive-session meetings to review candidates and narrow the applicant pool. The review phase is being led by the search firm, which will prepare recommendations and materials to support Commission deliberations. With interviews targeted to begin in mid-April and likely stretch into May, stakeholders can expect periodic public notices announcing when the Commission will meet. The search subcommittee’s public meeting on April 17, 2026 advanced candidates toward interviews; that session’s recording is available for anyone wishing to follow the deliberations and context behind candidate selection.
How to follow records and participate
All public meetings, executive sessions, recordings, and meeting minutes where process decisions were made are posted on the Commission’s website and will be updated throughout the search. If you want to submit questions, provide comment, or request additional information, direct inquiries to the executive search firm at [email protected]. The Commission is following public meetings law throughout the process, so any formal public notices about meetings or changes in schedule will be posted in advance. Maintaining clear access to meeting records and contact points is a central part of the Commission’s commitment to a transparent and accountable recruitment.
Final note on transparency
The Commission’s objective is to conduct a thorough, fair, and public-facing search for the next Executive Director of Travel Oregon. By preserving meeting recordings, minutes, and formal votes in the public record, the process allows Oregonians and industry stakeholders to monitor progress, review decisions, and stay informed about the timeline from application closure on March 30, 2026 through the interview phase and final selection. For the most up-to-date information and any new meeting postings, visit the Commission website or contact the search firm at [email protected].