August 21, 2020 — On August 10, Matt Miller, CEcD, joined the Port of Columbia County as the new Real Estate and Business Development Manager. In this role, he will implement strategic development, marketing, and leasing plans for port assets with the aim of bringing new and expanding businesses to Columbia County.

Miller comes to the port from the economic development agency Greater Portland Inc (GPI), where he was the Interim President and CEO. Since 2015, Miller and the team at GPI have facilitated 44 corporate expansions in the Greater Portland region leading to the creation of over 3,300 jobs.

“On behalf of the port commissioners and staff, I’m extremely excited to have Matt Miller onboard as the Business Development Manager,” said port Executive Director Doug Hayes. “Matt has a wealth of experience, both in the state and internationally, and we look forward to his involvement in development and job growth within the county.”

Miller is President of the Oregon Economic Development Association and in 2019, he was named among a national group of “40 Under 40” by Development Counsellors International, a New York-based firm recognizing rising talent in economic development.  In 2019, he also achieved the designation of “Certified Economic Developer” from the International Economic Development Council.

Miller is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. He has graduate degrees in public policy from Arizona State University and economics from the University of Oregon. He received his undergraduate degree in economics and statistics from Florida State University.