ENTREPENEURS SELECTED FOR TIGARD’S FOOD-FOCUSED BUSINESS ACCELERATOR AT UNIVERSAL PLAZA (Photo) -05/01/25

– Quandrae Gentle of Exotic Eggrollz, and Greg Silva and Shaye Nelson of Paradise Grindz, were unanimously chosen by a community panel to be the next entrepreneurs in Tigard’s Launch Pods, the city’s food-focused business accelerator. This business support program assists entrepreneurs by reducing start-up barriers and providing a business support network. They will celebrate their business launch along with the opening of the 2025 Tigard Farmer’s Market on May 4th . In 2022, Tigard purchased and outfitted two food carts with support from an AARP Community Challenge grant. Each cart is equipped as a class IV kitchen to support on-site food prep. These carts host food-focused businesses and are located at Universal Plaza in downtown Tigard. Exotic Eggrollz will be serving up unique foods made into eggrolls (mac and cheese, pulled pork, chicken and waffles) along with wings and classic spring rolls. Paradise Grindz will serve authentic Hawaiian comfort foods. “I’m eager to build my business while participating in the community,” said Gentle. “We’re looking forward to spreading aloha in Tigard!” said Silva. “We’re really happy to have these two innovative entrepreneurs join the Launch Pod” said Danelle Hauther, the City of Tigard’s Economic Development Manager. This program assists early phase food industry entrepreneurs as they start a business in Tigard with access to resources, business advising from Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) and a marketplace of customers. After 16 to 24 months, the businesses will move on to the next phase, for example a brick-and-mortar restaurant. The process then repeats, with new entrepreneurs selected for the Launch Pod to help start more food businesses. The Launch Pod and Universal Plaza are located in the heart of downtown Tigard at 9100 Burnham St., 97223. You can learn more about the Launch Pod Business Accelerator program at https://www.tigard-or.gov/business-development/launch-pod

Tigard Selects Brent Stockwell As City Manager (Photo) -04/23/25

After a national search, the Tigard City Council has selected Brent Stockwell to serve as the next City Manager. Brent has been Assistant City Manager with the City of Scottsdale, Arizona since 2015.

Stockwell holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Washington and is an International City/Council Management Association Credentialed Manager. His education is complemented by the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard.

The City Council voted to approve Brent’s contract at their meeting on April 23, 2025; he will officially begin work with Tigard on June 1, 2025.

As City Manager, Stockwell will oversee the day-to-day operations of the city and work closely with the seven-member City Council, Tigard team members, and community members to implement council priorities and community initiatives.

“We’re excited to have Brent Stockwell join us as City Manager,” said Mayor Heidi Lueb. “Brent brings great experience and new energy to this critical role for our community. He will help us move our goals forward for housing, economic opportunity, livability, and delivering our new Police and Public Works facility. We look forward to working with Brent to continue doing great things in Tigard. Welcome Brent!”

Brent Stockwell said, “I’m honored by the trust of the Mayor and City Council and excited to serve the Tigard community. I’ve spent my career collaborating with communities, building strong relationships, responding to needs and delivering results. That approach aligns with Tigard’s way of doing things – and I’m excited to move forward together.”