About Chip
Since founding Better People, a non-profit, living wage job placement center in N/NE Portland, Chip Shields has dedicated his efforts to improving the lives of all Oregonians, especially those living in District 43.
Better People has provided hundreds of living wage jobs for N/NE Portland residents.
In addition to that work, Chip has taken a pivotal role in some very important campaigns. Chip played a lead role in helping pass the Multnomah County measure to fund schools a year ago.
In 2002, he played a key role in passing Oregon's increase in the minimum wage.
For his efforts, Chip was recognized with the Skanner newspaper Drum Major for Justice Award and received a Hero of Labor award from the Oregon AFL-CIO last fall.
Chip Shields has also been very involved in community and statewide volunteer activities:
- Oregon Center for Public Policy board member.
- Oregon Criminal Justice Reform Coalition Member
- Chair of the National Association of Social Workers PAC
- Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good
- Mayor's Gang Task Force
- Stand For Children, member
- Human Rights Campaign, partner member
- Coalition for a Livable Future
Chip has been endorsed by a wide array of elected officials and community leaders including:
Governor Barbara Roberts, Gretchen Kafoury, Labor Commissioner Dan Gardner, Bobby Lee, Sam Adams, George Eighmey, Geri Washington, John Canda, Commissioner Dan Saltzman, Jo Ann Bowman,
Susan Remmers, National Association of Social Workers, AFSCME, Terry Bean, Harold Williams, Arwen Bird, Commissioner Erik Sten, Carl Tarlton, Commissioner Randy Leonard, Metro President David Bragdon, State Rep. Diane Rosenbaum, Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder, Multnomah County Commissioner Maria Rojo de Steffy
Chip Shields graduated from Portland State University with a master in social work.
His spouse Shelda Holmes is a public health nurse.
