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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 2, 2003)
may 2.2003 » J t a ^ | 15 i; m ;*c ivi *.•* m ew s C harged with C hange Multnomah County's new director of human services faces her challenges with chutzpah by T im oth y K rau se rom her seventh-floor comer office, Patricia Pate offers a down-to-earth perspective in her new position as director o f Multnomah County’s Department of Human Services. Her no-rocket-science leadership— fre quently wrapped in a wicked sense of humor— has led her not only to speak out on the value of crucial social services hut also to live and work openly as a lesbian. Although her management skills have developed throughout the course of her career, her sexuality was a part of her char acter she recognized early on. “I never had to tell myself or anybody else because I always knew,” says Pate, describing her childhrxxl near the Grand Canyon in Arizona. “I remember clearly being very young, driving by a big billboard that had a hoy and a girl kissing, and thinking, why would that girl want to kiss a hoy? That girl wants to kiss a girl!” After high school Pate quickly headed for Phoenix, where she worked in the fast food industry until she and her partner at the time decided to seek a cooler place. They spotted Oregon on a map and headed out on a “young and foolish” road trip. By the time they reached Eugene, the pair knew they had found a new home. They jumped on a plane, flew hack to Arizona, packed up everything they owned and moved to Oregon. "N o job, no contacts, no nothing,” Pate laughs as she recounts landing another restau rant job followed by her own haircutting busi ness. She later worked on Walter Mondales presidential campaign, bought another business and, at age 30, entered college. "1 was just nervous as a cat,” says Pate, launching a tale about her first class. “1 did exactly what I did all through my high school years: slouched in the hack row. 1 plunked my butt down next to this kid who looks over to me and says, ‘Aren’t you the teacher?’ ” Pate thought, "This is where 1 give in, or this is where 1 fight.” She looked at him and said, OUR PLANTS ARE 6 ON THE KINSEY SCALE Patricia Pate already has saved the county more than $ 9 1 4 ,0 0 0 by eliminating dozens of management positions “No, I’m the older-than-average student who nosed with ovarian cancer, the couple made the will wreck the curve for you.” difficult decision to move to Northampton, Mass. With what would eventually become her Although far from friends, Ashe loved New characteristic boldness, Pate picked up her England, and Northampton was near Boston’s things and sat down in the front of the class, leading cancer care facilities. Ashe’s condition determined to get a worthwhile return on her later worsened, and they returned to Oregon to educational investment. She says it was her age, spend her last days surrounded by loved ones. not her sexuality, that set her apart. Within Not long after Pate traveled hack to Massa three years, she graduated from Oregon State chusetts to resume her job as director of corpo University with a degree in accounting. rate relations for Smith College, a friend notified her about the Multnomah County position. She Pate joined Westinghouse in Tri-Cities, Wash., hesitated. Her life was now on the East Coast, where the company was contracted to clean up the Hanford nuclear site. Proud of her contribution to and she wasn’t sure she was ready to return to the environmental remediation, she discovered she place that held so many fragile feelings. could apply her management skills to a greater j “I really had to think hard about how it would be to come back to Oregon,” she says, “to see good. She decided then that she wouldn’t take how it felt emotionally without my Rhiannon.” another job that didn’t have social relevance. Pate decided to face the challenge, both per She continued to apply that philosophy as chief financial officer for a Portland investment firm that sonally and professionally. Now 44 and living in dealt with low-income housing and at the helm of an Old Town loft, she won’t argue with those a social service agency in Corvallis. “It was very who think she’s crazy for accepting the position clear that this was more than important work,” adds of human services director, arguably a difficult Pate. “It was the crux of what it was to be human." assignment even during better economic times. Settling into hef new career in social services, “It is a heck of a job,” agrees Pate, “but then Pate met Rhiannon Ashe, with whom she would it’s got a heck of a lot of importance, too.” spend the next six years. When Ashe was diag- ! Her department provides critical services v V e & i& id e ; TR A IN Y O U R BRAIN. C H A N G E Y O U R LIFE. Serving your real estate needs for... -Don Clarkson. Mayor (Moaiar. OR) and Personal Coach If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, attention issues, stress, sleep problems, mental clarity, or are seeking a peak performance edge contact: 22711 NW G I LU HAN ROAD SAUVIE ISLAND w e d - s u n 10-5 Features Editor T IM O T H Y KRAUSE can be reached at ttm @ justout.com . ‘IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD’ 7 have to date lost 22 lbs and am off Zoloft. All thanks to you. You are a goddess. * ClSTUS NURSERY addressing issues of aging and disability; develop mental disability; domestic violence; and mental health and addiction. Filling these needs on a restricted budget has challenged Pate in her inau gural months. Her mission has been “to move money as close to the clients as we can get.” One outcome has been the layoff of dozens of executive employees. “I have not replaced them, and 1 won’t,” states Pate. “We were too manage ment heavy, and I eliminated those positions. It was an obvious decision.” Obvious, but not easy, and especially risky for a new leader to place her trust in her less expe rienced junior staff. “But I’m not paid to avoid risk,” she asserts. “I’m paid by the taxpayers of this county to make sure the people we serve get the best service with in the tax dollar constraints that we have. Not to protect my job. I’m paid to do the right thing, and I will do the right thing. And that’s what I did.” She says the changes she has implemented already have saved the county more than $914,CXX3. But, in light of uncertain funding from the state, she argues vehemently in support j of the county income tax measure on the May 20 ballot. According to Pate, it’s no longer j a matter of cutting government waste. "We’ve all heard those stories, but this department is wav beyond cutting fat,” she says. “We’re now cutting services. We are making decisions that are life-threatening because we don’t have the funds." What receives priority? “Life, life, life," she answers. “We figure out what’s more life-threatening. How can we get our biggest bang for the most clients that help the most for each dollar.7” Even before she began her new position, Pate suspected she would be assuming a role larger than simply an advocate of social services. As the highest-ranking openly gay person among Multnomah County staff, she considered how she might also he looked to as a lesbian role model and community leader. "O f course I knew it, but I didn’t think any one else would know it," she jokes, humbled at the notion. She reminds herself how much she still needs to learn about specific concerns with in Portland’s broad sexual minorities communi ty— a task she welcomes as her duty. “I believe that we all have a responsibility to represent the interests of our community within a broader context,” she states firmly. “If there comes something, say, before the commission ers, state or city that touches our community’s issues, I will testify. I will use the power that I have been granted by serving in this capacity to create positive change." J H Nora Qedgaudas Neurothersptst Nutritional Specialist Northwest Neurofeedback Johnson Street Professional Building 1920 NW Johnaon Street.. Suite 100 Portland. OR 97200 Office: 503-274-7733 Fax: 509-274-7770 can too • ffM consultation C rec C ray ( 760 ) HOMES CONDOS RES. 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