Lynn Peterson will step down from her role as president of Metro on Friday after being appointed interim city manager of Lake Oswego.
The Lake Oswego City Council voted Tuesday to appoint Peterson to the administrative position. Peterson had earlier indicated she might leave office months before the end of her final term to accept the role in the city where she has lived since 1996.
Peterson, 57, has served as Metro council president since 2019 and was already term-limited from running for reelection this year.
Before leading Metro, Peterson served as director of the Washington State Department of Transportation under former governor Jay Inslee. She also worked as a transportation adviser to former Oregon governor John Kitzhaber and previously served as a commissioner for Clackamas County Board of Commissioners.
During her tenure at Metro, voters approved major initiatives including the 2018 Affordable Housing Bond and the 2020 Supportive Housing Services tax, expanding Metro’s role in addressing housing and homelessness across the Portland region.
Metro also oversees regional services such as waste and recycling management, natural areas, and facilities including the Oregon Zoo and the Portland Expo Center.
Following Peterson’s resignation, Duncan Hwang will serve as the council’s presiding officer until the remaining six councilors vote to appoint a new president. Metro officials said the appointment must take place within 90 days.
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