Central Eastside Welcomes Bashar Kasim as first Field Operations Manager
Photo: Bashar Kasim
The Central Eastside Industrial Council (CEIC) is proud to announce the hiring of Bashar Kasim as the district’s first Field Operations Manager, a new leadership position that reflects its commitment to fostering a vibrant, prosperous, safe and welcoming environment for all who live, work, and visit the Central Eastside.
Under this new role, Kasim will oversee the enhanced service district’s (ESD) contract teams including the Clean Team and Community Ambassadors, as well as fieldwork, stakeholder engagement, vendor oversight, and operational program management. With at least a third of his time dedicated to building relationships throughout the district, Kasim will ensure the ESD’s programs are both proactive and responsive to the evolving needs of the Central Eastside.
“I look forward to joining the team as its first Field Operations Manager,” said Kasim. “I am passionate about making community-wide impacts and look forward to collaborating with business owners, property owners, city officials, and the greater community to support the Central Eastside in becoming a more welcoming and safe neighborhood for all.”
CET is one of Portland’s three ESD’s, representing nearly 700 acres of the inner Eastside. Each month, it removes nearly 40,000 pounds of trash and large debris and conducts approximately 400 business support and outreach visits. In 2024, the organization launched the Better Together Grant, awarding $65,000 in its first year to 11 businesses that share CET’s vision of a vibrant and prosperous Central Eastside. In partnership with the Central Eastside Industrial Council (CEIC), CET also oversees placemaking and district management initiatives.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bashar to our team. His leadership will be an asset to our growing business district, providing on-the-ground support, resources, and navigation for the Central Eastside community,” said Carolyne Holcomb, Executive Director of the Central Eastside Industrial Council. “Our board and staff have been thoughtfully evaluating how to deepen our impact, and we believe Bashar’s presence in this new role will bring high value to our businesses and help strengthen and expand our programs.”
Kasim brings nearly a decade of experience in nonprofit and community engagement work, most recently serving as Operations Director at New Narrative, where he led cross-functional teams and oversaw large-scale initiatives including facility management, construction, IT infrastructure strategy, safety and crisis response, program development, and internal systems improvements. He also played a key role on the DEI team, helping ensure that policy decisions were equitable and inclusive. He holds a Master of Social Work from Portland State University, where he focused on Practice and Leadership with Communities and Organizations, and a Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Oregon with a minor in Arabic Studies.
To learn more about Central Eastside Together, visit our website at cetpdx.org