OCC hires Ryan Harvey as its new sustainability coordinator

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The Oregon Convention Center is pleased to announce that Ryan Harvey has been hired as its new sustainability coordinator.

Harvey comes to the OCC from Metro, where he served as a valuable member the PES Resource Conservation and Recycling Youth Programs Team. During his 18-month tenure, he helped an estimated 10,000 local young people to develop their sustainability knowledge, skills and behaviors. Harvey’s efforts focused on developing current and relevant programming for adolescents to foster diversity, equity and inclusion while exploring complex topics such resource consumption, climate change and environmental justice.

“My days consisted of giving presentations to middle and high school students throughout the 25 cities of the Metro region,” said Harvey. “Teachers would invite me in to present on topics such as climate change, composting, environmental justice, and conscious consumption. Prior to that, I spent 12 years as a public schoolteacher, most recently in the Portland area, and also in Los Angeles County.”



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        OCC's new sustainability coordinator Ryan Harvey says his focus will be on promoting the center's waste diversion policy.

Harvey earned a Master’s Degree in Sustainability Leadership from Portland State University, which he says not only helped him to learn about best practices, but also introduced him to many businesses and community members that are doing important work pursuing sustainable actions in a variety of creative ways.

“The Oregon Convention Center is a place where millions of people come together,” said Harvey. “We are a part of the community, but the center also actually helps to create community. We have the opportunity to be not just stewards for this community - making sustainable decisions every day we come to work - but also to position ourselves as a center for demonstration and education of how social and environmental good can lead to economic good. OCC is working to become the standard for sustainable venues that others in the industry learn from and try to emulate. We can be a model and a resource.”

“Ryan’s background in education and previous role at Metro will provide a new perspective and bring valuable strengths to the sustainability coordinator position,” said Matthew Uchtman, OCC director of operations. “Ryan is eager to bring his experience to OCC and we are excited to have him join our team.”

Outside of work, Harvey enjoys playing in a competitive dart league, and says that his young daughter keeps him on his toes. “At a year and a half, she is a little ball of energy and excitement. My family just moved into a new home in Portland’s Kenton neighborhood, so there are still plenty of boxes to unpack, too!”

The Oregon Convention Center is owned by Metro and managed by the Metro Exposition and Recreation Commission. OCC is a LEED Platinum certified facility hosting groups from around the world and bringing millions of dollars into the Portland and Oregon economy.

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