Kerridge to leave Portland's Bureau of Development Services for Sacramento city job

Ray Kerridge, director of the city of Portland's Bureau of Development Services, announced Wednesday that he has accepted the position of assistant city manager in charge of development for the city of Sacramento, Calif.

Kerridge was appointed by Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard

During his tenure, Kerridge led the reorganization of the Bureau of Development Services in the wake of widespread criticism about the bureau's attitude toward its customers.

Innovations implemented by Kerridge included the creation of the BDS customer service program, 10-day turnaround on single family housing permits, and ongoing customer service training for BDS employees.

As sad as I am to lose Ray, Leonard said. I could not be more proud of the work that he has done for Portland, and Sacramento could not be luckier to get him.

Kerridge began his career with the city in 1979 as a building inspector with the Bureau of Buildings. In 1981, he was promoted to Chief Housing Inspector, and in 1983, he became the city's chief building inspector. In 1985, Kerridge joined the Portland Development Commission as manager of the Single Family Loan program.

He then returned to the Bureau of Buildings in 1988 as residential inspections manager in charge of the city's housing and nuisance programs. While he was manager of the program, Kerridge developed the Residential Combination Inspection program. In 1990, Kerridge became the commercial inspections manager, a position he held for the next 12 years. As the commercial manager, Kerridge created and implemented the Commercial Combination Inspection program, the Facilities Permit program and the Major Projects Group program.

- Cody McCullough