Think Out Loud

New president of Metro says Portland’s regional government must plan for the future, prioritize housing and jobs

By Allison Frost (OPB)
June 10, 2026 1 p.m.

Broadcast: Wednesday, June 10

Juan Carlos Gonzalez, the development director at a Washington County community center, made a conscious choice to come home to Oregon.

FILE: Juan Carlos González is the new president of Metro, Portland's regional government. He made history in 2018, becoming the youngest member and first Latino to serve on the Metro council.

Anna Griffin / OPB

Juan Carlos González was elected president of Metro in May and then appointed to serve out the remainder of the previous president’s term. He made history in 2018, becoming the youngest member and first Latino to serve on the Metro council.

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His priorities for the council are creating more affordable housing and jobs in the region. Metro has begun what it calls Future 50, a planning process designed to shape the metro area through 2077.

We sit down with González to hear more about his priorities and vision for the next 50 years.

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