Portland Bates joined the Fourth District staff in February 2011. His responsibilities include transportation issues, business development, general community outreach and technical maintenance of the RonRoberts.com Website.

A native San Diegan, Portland attended high school at Marian Catholic High School in South San Diego and later earned a degree in Political Science at California State University San Marcos. While attending Cal State San Marcos, Portland was a very active participant in campus life, including serving as an officer in numerous student organizations and founding a student political action committee. Prior to taking a position with Supervisor Roberts, Portland spent several years in the private sector specializing in marketing and sales.

Portland is responsible for advising Supervisor Roberts on policy issues related to Roberts’ role as a board member at both the San Diego Association of Governments and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. Portland also represents Supervisor Roberts at The San Diego City-County Reinvestment Task Force and at various business organizations, community groups and special events.