Tom Decker

Mr. Decker’s distinguished 25-year career in government relations, organizational strategy, investment management, and newspaper publishing equip him with a unique set of assets for his advisory role at Hamstreet & Associates.  With broad experience in public affairs, Mr. Decker devises business strategies that are both ambitious and appropriate for the organizations he serves.

As the Port of Portland’s Government Relations Manager for seven years, Mr. Decker planned and directed government affairs and public strategies for the Port and was responsible for several major Port initiatives.  He negotiated and secured Congressional funding for over 200 million dollars’ worth in public projects, spearheaded Port participation in international aviation negotiations with Asian countries, which resulted in more flights out of the Portland International Airport, and expanded the Port’s outreach program to include regional leaders of trade, transportation, and agricultural groups in the Port’s strategic business and legislative objectives. 

Prior to his work for the Port, Mr. Decker was an Oregon newspaper publisher.  Moving in 1984 from the helm of the Newport News-Times and Toledo Leader to the Lake Oswego Review and West Linn Tidings, Mr. Decker directed the news, sales, budget, staff, circulation, and production operations at these organizations for eleven years. 

In other government positions, Mr. Decker served as executive director of President Ronald Reagan’s inaugural ceremonies, staff director of the U.S. Senate Rules Committee, and deputy staff director of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. 

Mr. Decker has also been active in community and trade affairs throughout his career.  Past positions include the presidencies of Lake Oswego’s Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, as well as co-chairmanship of a project to raise funds for artwork in Lake Oswego’s City Hall.  He has served as board and development chairman of the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and as chairman of the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association.  He presently sits on the board and chairs the finance committee of Intercommunity Mercy Housing, a non-profit affordable housing developer in the state of Washington, and serves as an advisor to Outward Bound West, also in Washington. 

Mr. Decker graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Political Science and Journalism.