Bright Lights: A Conversation with Chandra Brown

Terry Hackney

Chandra Brown, the President of United Streetcar, talks about Oregon’s future of streetcars, wave energy, nuclear reactors and how taxes can help or hurt.

During a period that has seen a dramatic shrinking of American manufacturing jobs, Oregon Ironworks has stood apart. Building on its 60-year-old roots in hydroelectric, bridge and civil construction, in 2005 the company launched a bold new initiative, United Streetcar, the first domestic effort to build streetcars in over half a century. Now with contracts to build new streetcars for cities across the country, Oregon Ironworks is showing equal nimbleness as it expands in to wave and nuclear energy.

The leader of the Oregon Ironworks’ dramatic shift and expansion, Chandra Brown, started out as temp worker at the company in 1993 after moving to Portland with no job. But with an MBA in international marketing, she worked her way up to eventually launch the company’s boldest new initiatives and now oversees 400 employees. And with United Streetcar standing as a stunning example of the promise of “green jobs” fully delivered, in December, Brown earned a spot among the 100 business leaders invited to President Obama’s jobs summit.

The Bright Lights discussion series is presented each month by Portland Monthly magazine in cosponsorship with City Club of Portland. Go to portlandmonthlymag.com/brightlights to see past programs. Send questions in advance to brightlights@portlandmonthlymag.com.