Commissioner Nick Fish

I was born in New York on September 30, 1958, and grew up in the small rural Hudson River town of Millbrook.  My mother was a nurse; my father served in Congress from 1969-1994.

In high school and college I held a succession of odd jobs, including work as a prep cook at the Blimpie’s sandwich shop; a memorable summer spent spreading manure on golf courses; and a college stint driving the shuttle van for disabled students and staff.

I graduated from Harvard in 1981—and later worked as a legislative assistant for Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank.  Barney fueled my passion for public service, inspiring me to become a civil rights lawyer and an advocate for affordable housing.

After earning my law degree from Northeastern University in 1986, I practiced law in New York City, representing health care workers and labor unions.

I was appointed to Manhattan Community Board Five, a neighborhood association, serving as chair for two years.  I championed the renovation of the Times Square Hotel, then a run-down blight in a neighborhood known for porn shops and transients.  Working with a community non-profit we turned the hotel into affordable housing and a thriving community of theater district workers, residents with AIDS, and formerly homeless individuals.

In the mid-1990’s, Patricia was offered a job teaching history at PSU.  I followed her a year later. We didn’t know many people, but Portland welcomed us with open arms.

I continued practicing law, defending employees against illegal firings and discrimination and helping non-profits and small businesses succeed.

During my twenty-year career as a lawyer, I won an anti-discrimination case protecting HIV-positive patients, led a community coalition to save the Portland Women’s Crisis Line and volunteered time for legal services for the poor.

My family has made volunteer service a part of our life.

I have focused on social justice and housing, serving as Vice-chair of the Housing Authority of Portland, a member of the Multnomah County Task Force on Vital Aging, and on advisory boards for the College of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University, the Sid Lezak project, and the Campaign for Equal Justice.

For three years starting in 2005, I hosted “Outlook Portland with Nick Fish,” a public affairs program broadcast on KRCW, Channel 3.  (Someone once told me I have a face for radio!) The program shined a light on the people in our community making a positive difference every day, and helped my viewers better understand how their government works.

I currently serve on the boards of Volunteers of America, Oregon and the Oregon Cultural Trust.

I live in the Grant Park neighborhood of Northeast Portland.  My wife Patricia teaches history at Portland State University. We have two children; ages 6 and 17and they both attend Portland Public Schools.  We enjoy watching our daughter play soccer, shopping at farmer’s markets, and using our neighborhood parks.

In 2008, I was elected to the Portland City Council, Position #2.  I received 63% of the vote in a five-person race. The Willamette Week, in its endorsement, said I am “honest, ha[ve] a great work ethic and will be [my] own man.”

I serve as Commissioner-in-Charge of the Portland Housing Bureau and Portland Parks and Recreation.  I also lead the City’s Disparity Study, designed to strengthen the City’s minority contracting programs.

My work extends beyond City Hall.  I co-chair, with County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury, the Complete Count Committee for the 2010 Census; serve as council liaison to Elders in Action; lead an Oregon Solutions project to expand community gardens; partner with Metro President David Bragdon on Intertwine; and advocate for arts, heritage and culture state-wide through the Oregon Cultural Trust.