TriMet strengthens commitment to diversity, cultural competency
July 29, 2011
Director of Diversity and Transit Equity and Multicultural Program Manager selected
TriMet has hired for two positions focused on diversity and serving multicultural populations. Johnell Bell has been selected as the agency's Director of Diversity and Transit Equity. In a newly created role, Martin Gonzalez, a TriMet employee since 2007, will serve as Multicultural Program Manager.
Bell, who reports to General Manager Neil McFarlane, will continue TriMet's regional and national leadership in transit equity, ensuring services and infrastructure are equitably distributed and accessible to diverse cultural, racial and economic communities throughout the agency's service area. Bell will also lead the agency's award-winning minority contracting efforts. Bell begins August 1.
Gonzalez will continue building TriMet's Limited English Proficiency program and provide leadership on internal and external issues around cultural competency including education, communications and staff and management training. He will begin in his new position August 1.
"TriMet is dedicated to diversity and opportunity, and Johnell and Martin are key to helping the agency continue to be a leader in this area, as well as reach out and strengthen our partnerships with low income and communities of color," said TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane.
Bell brings a broad range of experience working in the region, most recently for U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley where he represented the Senator in Multnomah County, focusing on issues of diversity, community and government relations and environmental justice. His prior experience included work at Multnomah County in the Office of Chairman Ted Wheeler, creating the county's first economic development program and co-creating the Office of Diversity and Equity. For Portland Mayor Tom Potter, Bell worked closely with communities of color and community-based organizations through the Community Connect initiative.
Bell has a bachelor's degree in Management and Leadership Development from Concordia University and is currently enrolled in the Hatfield School of Government Executive Master of Public Administration program at Portland State University. His background also includes significant volunteer work including Portland Public Schools Citizens Budget Review Committee, Portland/Multnomah Progress Board, Start Making a Reader Today (SMART) and as co-founder of the Black Parent Initiative and is a current member of the American Leadership Forum of Oregon Board.
Gonzalez joined TriMet in 2007 after his work as Executive Director of the Portland Schools Alliance. He also worked 13 years at the American Friends Service Committee, working on statewide economic development efforts and training, leadership development and fundraising for Latino community organizations. He is past board president and founder of the Latino Network, a former board president of Centro Cultural and is a current member of the Portland Public School Board. Gonzalez holds a bachelor's degree in Education from Texas A & M University.