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By Janet Unruh, WENA Board Member
Most of the coverage of Teresa Carr's appointment as Gresham's city manager has focused on the announcement.
A closer look at her background reveals an accomplished executive with extensive management experience and a high level of professionalism—and one aspect that I found unexpected and especially interesting.
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Carr was chosen after a nationwide search and became Gresham’s city manager in June. As you may know, the city manager oversees the day-to-day operations of Gresham and plays a major role in implementing City Council policies, preparing the budget, and directing city departments.
Before coming to Gresham, Carr spent more than 26 years with the Port of Portland, where she held increasingly responsible leadership positions. Her positions included development project manager, business development manager, director of commercial properties, and director of business development and properties. Ultimately, she led a team managing five business parks, three marine terminals, and over 300 active leases, supporting over 300 companies, 32,000 jobs, and generating $177M in state and local tax revenue[1].
One indication of Carr's professional standing is her membership on an Urban Land Institute (ULI) Product Council. ULI is the world's oldest and largest global network of cross-disciplinary real estate and land use experts. ULI Product Councils are exclusive, peer-to-peer forums designed for senior industry leaders to share confidential information, debate trends, and exchange best practices in specific sectors of real estate development and land use. These councils operate on a "closed-door" basis, fostering a candid environment where competitors and colleagues can discuss the "state of the art" in their respective fields without public scrutiny. Membership is highly selective, typically capped at 50 members per council, and is available only to ULI Full Members by application or invitation[2].
Carr also serves on the board of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and is a member of the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Future Leaders Committee.
Here's what I found interesting and unexpected: aside her commercial real estate experience, Carr has also become involved in affordable housing policy. “The Homelessness and Housing Committee on January 13 voted to send the Gresham-nominated appointment of Teresa Carr to the Home Forward Board of Commissioners to the full Portland City Council for confirmation[3].” Home Forward, formerly the Housing Authority, manages low-income housing in Multnomah County. (Cathy Keathley, City of Gresham city councilor, is also on the Home Forward Board of Commissioners.)
Carr submitted the following acceptance statement highlighting her interest in housing issues:
Housing affordability and access are among the most urgent challenges facing communities across the region, including the City of Gresham and Multnomah County. I am honored to serve on the Home Forward Board on behalf of the City of Gresham, bringing both a regional perspective and a deep appreciation for the role stable housing plays in creating opportunity, dignity, and long-term well-being. Having grown up with very limited resources and experienced supported housing firsthand, this work is both personal and meaningful to me.
I am grateful for the opportunity to support Home Forward’s mission and strategic goals, including expanding access to housing, strengthening resident stability, and stewarding public resources responsibly. I believe that everyone, regardless of background, deserves a safe and stable place to call home, and I am committed to contributing my experience and perspective in service of outcomes that strengthen individuals, families, and the broader community[4].
Her education includes a bachelor’s degree in public relations, advertising, and applied communication. She also earned a master’s degree in public administration (MPA), with a focus on organizational leadership, and personnel management.
As Gresham's city manager, Carr will play a key role in shaping the city's approach to real estate development and affordable housing. Her background suggests she recognizes that these issues are interconnected and require a comprehensive approach. Cuts to budgets and programs at the federal, state, and county levels threaten Gresham's ability to serve low-income constituents. I hope Carr's combination of executive experience and personal understanding of housing challenges will serve Gresham well in the years ahead.
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