Governor Makes Two Appointments to Construction Contractors Board

Governor Kitzhaber announced the appointment of Andrew Colas and Melvin Oden-Orr to the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) effective December 1, 2011. Both new members’ terms will run through June 30, 2015.

The board is comprised of nine members; six licensed contractors, two representatives of the public and one elected official of a local governing body.

“I would like to thank Governor Kitzhaber for his recent appointments to the Board,” said Craig P. Smith, CCB Administrator. “Each member brings with them the skills and expertise necessary to help us continue our journey to become a model regulatory agency. We look forward to the efforts that will be made throughout the duration of their term.”

Colas is the President of Colas Construction, Inc. a growing Commercial General Contracting firm, as a native Oregonian, Colas is “dedicated to growing the impact and opportunity for small businesses at a grassroots, local and statewide level.” Colas is the former Chair of the Portland Housing Bureau Commission, is a Board Member of New Avenues for Youth and the National Association of Minority Contractors. Andrew is also a member of West Hayden Advisory Committee and the Mayors Economic Development Cabinet.

Oden-Orr is the principal attorney at Oden-Orr Law. He currently represents a local chapter of a national trade association as general counsel on state and local laws related to minority, women and disadvantaged business enterprises. He has represented public agencies and individual contractors. Oden-Orr’s experience brings a “unique perspective to the Construction Contractors Board and will add value to the consideration of issues”.