HomeMy WebLinkAboutShaun Moran
Shaun J. Moran
Biography
I was born and raised in a small town in northern Rhode Island and originally came to Ashland with my family
like many others, by chance. I grew up in a community similar in size and feel to Ashland and this instilled in me
the importance and the value a small town offers in developing strong lasting connections to family, friends and
community. The unmatched quality of life Ashland offers was the allure that eventually led my family to settle
here. Because of all Ashland has to offer it was an easy place to settle down to raise a family. After moving to
Ashland from Tokyo Japan in 2009 we unexpectedly returned to Tokyo for 2 112 years before returning back
home in mid- 2013 for good.
I attended Edinburgh University and earned my B.A in Political Science from Bates College in Lewiston Maine.
After college, I embarked on a journey that changed my life. I moved to Japan and lived there for nearly 24
years. That experience gave me vast insight into what it means to be culturally diverse. I believe those
experiences were essential elements in shaping who I am today and underscored the importance of being
accepting of those who are different. I try to employ that understanding in how I live my life every day. I am part
of an interracial marriage. My wife and I have been married for over 20 years and we have three interracial
children all enrolled and thriving in the Ashland school system. We have taught our children to respect and
accept others and to cherish the fact they are different. We value and celebrate diversity in our lives everyday.
I am a self-employed small business owner who understands the complexity and difficulties associated with
starting a business and working tirelessly to ensure it survives and prospers. I am an accomplished financial
services executive with extensive international banking experience. My banking career spanned nearly 18 years
encompassing organizational transformation, sales and service, strategy and business line management. I was
valued for my leadership, teambuilding, collaboration, communication and business acumen all of which I know
are important attributes of a productive and effective city council member. I was involved extensively in MBA
recruitment and executive leadership mentoring programs which involved recruitment, development and
retention of key employees. I was employed by Massachusetts Financial Services, Merrill Lynch and J.P Morgan
Chase Japan as a Managing Director. I am also fluent in Japanese.
I am committed to Ashland and to all it represents and have been an active member and volunteer in the
community. I am a contributing Board Member of the Ashland Emergency Food Bank which provides needed
resources to many of the underprivileged in our community and a citizen volunteer of the Ashland Budget
Committee. I look forward to expanding my role serving the community and hope I can count on your support
for the vacant city council position as the needs of Ashland continues to change and grow.
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Shaun Moran: Application for Council Seat #6
1) What do you think are the biggest issues facing the city?
Economy
Ashland is undeniably a wonderful place to live. The quality of life is unmatched and is often cited as one
on the main reasons people choose to settle here. When I leave, I often find myself eagerly looking
forward to returning home. We have a dynamic mix of people here from different social and economic
backgrounds and varied experience which contributes to the uniqueness of our community. That said
there are things that we should try to improve to make Ashland a better place for all.
In Ashland we are blessed to have Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Southern Oregon University which
both provide wonderful benefits to our local economy. But with most of our "economic eggs" in the
service sector basket in times of economic duress, like we saw in the last recession, our economy is
vulnerable. We need to be more diversified so we can better manage the unforeseen economic shocks
that inevitably will come. I think we need a fresh strategic vision to address the pressing issues of job
creation and economic vitality, both of which have been stagnate over the last several years. There were
more Ashland business licenses issued in 2008 than there were in 2015. Only last year has that started
to improve. We need a more balanced approach to insuring our economy remains vibrant in good times
and in bad. I believe we need to strengthen our partnerships with OSF, SOU and the Chamber of
Commerce. If we can better leverage and monetize these relationships we can find additional ways to
capture the important "tourist dollars" that our economy is so reliant upon. Simultaneously, we need to
capitalize on the synergies between these institutions so we can offer solutions to empower
entrepreneurship, retain and expand businesses and leverage the organizational assets we have in town
to insure we have a strong and resilient economy. I think we have an incredibly strong foundation to
build upon. We just need to take the necessary steps to protect our economy from the inevitable
economic hurdles in the future.
We need to engage and work more closely with SOREDI as well as other viable non-profits and economic
development groups. We should work to attract, encourage, and foster new companies from emerging
industries and people with great ideas to come here to flourish, raise their families and help diversify
our economy. We have several Enterprise Zones in town which could be a solution for new and growing
businesses. We need to stop talking around the issue and find ways to give entrepreneurs and creative
innovators a place to grow their vision. In 2008, Plexis Healthcare Systems was looking to relocate their
facilities at the Croman Mills Redevelopment Site to expand and grow their business. Problems arose,
delays occurred and their move and the Croman Development never happened. Interestingly, Plexis just
announced they were moving their operations out of Ashland and taking 100 jobs with it. We need to
find ways to keep businesses like Plexis here in Ashland. They are the anchors of our local economy and
we need to help them grow and prosper. This is the key to balancing our economy and securing our
future. We cannot be complacent. We need to strike the right balance between building code
requirements, regulation and sensible decision making. We need to be proactive and take a fresh look at
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our economic development plans and strategy which have been unrevised since 2012. 1 think we should
revisit the idea of an Economic Development ad- Hoc Committee. This might allow us to harness some of
the untapped business skills and ideas from people within our community from different industries who
could provide actionable strategies to help. I look forward to helping in this challenge.
Affordable Housing and Smart Building
We can't improve our economy, address the lack of affordability in our town or really impact the lives of
our most needy without a multi-tiered strategic approach to solving the lack of affordable housing and
smart building in our community. I think the time is ripe for decisive action on this issue. A review of the
Housing Element of the City's Comprehensive Plan is essential. I believe the city can find actionable
ideas to implement which will help ease our housing problems. In many ways, our economic future is
linked to our housing issues. Some of the biggest challenges faced by Ashland businesses are around
attracting staff and skilled workers. In fact, in a recent Chamber of Commerce survey, many business
respondents suggested the "high cost of living" in Ashland made it difficult to find the right candidate.
We need more jobs that give people a livable wage so they are able to rent or buy homes in our
community. We ultimately need a broader vision that calls for a reset of "business as usual" in the
departments that oversee this essential part of the city administration. While working to preserve
Ashland's unique historic and architectural qualities, we need to evaluate existing building restrictions
and regulations to allow for more creative infill projects for commercial, residential and mixed use
projects. We need to allow for higher density buildings. The current building codes and strict
interpretation of them stymy practical utilization of existing lots and building that could be improved
and don't take into account the nuisances of many new projects. In many cases, the result is actually
creating subpar design.
Other ideas like adopting more stringent renters' rights rules (90 day no cause evictions) and funding the
Housing Trust Fund with a stable and reliable revenue source will provide options and achievable
solutions to the housing problems faced by our most needy. It is a fact that funding affordable housing
to give people a path to home ownership will be the cheaper alternative for our community over time.
We should learn from other municipalities where urban planning and forward thinking is leading to
livability, greater affordability, reduced costs and economic opportunity for it's citizens. I think Ashland
needs to consider the feasibility of Vertical Housing Development Zones which it doesn't presently
allow. Creating a master plan involving bigger and mixed use buildings incorporating the thoughts, ideas
and concepts of proven developers will create more affordable housing options for our citizens. I would
hope to play a critical role in the housing development and policy discussions as a city council member.
Climate Change and the Environment
I think the city has made great strides in addressing the importance of taking a proactive approach
toward Climate Change. This is an essential issue facing our community. I applaud the city's multi-
faceted approach to climate change and the environment. With 2016 being the hottest year in recorded
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human history taking a proactive approach to Climate Change is not only essential for Ashland but the
world at large. I think we must maintain the momentum to insure we continue to set the bar high. Our
community is committed to taking responsible steps to contribute to the slowing of greenhouse gas
emissions and climate change. I agree with the commitment our city leaders are making toward
protecting the environment and I think it is an essential issue for our city leaders to continue to
champion. We should be proud we are setting the example for other communities to follow. I am
looking forward to the upcoming discussion around setting up a City Citizen Advisory Commission which
will be monitoring and tracking CEAP goals in the next few months. I am supportive of the 10x20
ordinance #3134 and hope this will be an essential part of the implementation of CEAP. I understand
this dialogue will take time as policy issues are refined and further discussed. Being a voice in the
discussion of how we impact our carbon footprint is critical to me and the entire Ashland community.
As part of the climate change discussion I believe we should continue to pursue a strategy of protecting
our forestland and our watershed through the good work of the Forest Land Commission and AFP, seek
ways to find incentives to make renewable energy more economically viable and work to promote and
educate our citizens on the importance of a reliable and stable water source. I often attend AWAC
meetings and listen to discussions and I look forward to helping in the Climate Change discussions as a
city council member.
2) What is your primary motivation for seeking the vacant council seat?
I pride myself on being an open minded individual who can work with others toward a common goal. I
have the integrity, experience, passion, enthusiasm and more importantly the time to help shape the
focus and discussion on issues that are important to the people of Ashland. We must ensure that our
city government works for the people and allows the voice of it citizenry to be heard. If selected to the
council this will become my new "full time job". I am sure I can inject a fresh perspective into the
discussions of our city government. Most importantly, I am dedicated to being transparent and
accountable. I understand and value the significance of "saying what you mean and meaning what you
say" and I believe it is essential that my statements are consistent with my actions and true to my
values. My experience as a citizen member of the budget committee has given me knowledge and
insight into the inter-workings of our city government. I have learned, in detail, how it is financed and
how it works. I have attended many city meetings outside of the budget committee where my goal has
always been to learn as much as possible about the issues facing our city. Now I think I'm ready to take
that next step, to reach out to try to have more of a voice; while representing the voices of people in our
community and in the process hopefully positively impacting Ashland along the way. I don't purport to
have all the answers. I understand the learning curve for any new member of the city council will be
challenging. I do know that I have the time to dedicate to this task. My years living in Japan taught me a
cherished tenant of Japanese culture that being consensus building and open communication are
essential parts of the decision making process. I am willing and eager to learn, be collaborative and as
productive as possible while working with other members of the city council to find solutions to the
issue and problems facing the people of our community.
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3) What community and city activities have you been involved in recently?
I had spent nearly half my life outside of the United States when I moved with my family to
Ashland in 2009. Looking at America from outside her boarders gave me a very unique
perspective on how lucky we all are to be citizens of this great county. I have been fortunate to
have found professional success and have always wanted to somehow give back. My mother
always said to my siblings and me when we went off to school "do something nice for someone
today" and helping others "is the rent we pay for our time on earth". The importance of those
words have never escaped me.
When I learned of the great work of the Emergency Food Bank in 2009, 1 periodically would go
down to volunteer. New to the Ashland community the vast majority of my time was spent
insuring my wife and family were settled and secure. It was after we returned to Ashland in
2013 that I pledged to get more seriously involved. Going to the Food Bank to help unpack food
provisions and restock empty shelves let me see firsthand the numbers of people in need and
how much this organization was helping our community. My wife and I began to take our
children there during Thanksgiving and Christmas to help. I got to know the people involved in
the organization and in 2015 1 was asked to join the Board of Directors. Being on the Board has
been an incredibly rewarding experience and I look forward to continuing to serve as a
productive member of this important Ashland organization.
As our family started getting involved in school and community activities in 2009, 1 learned of
the role of the citizen volunteers in the budget process in Ashland. Several people approached
me and suggested that my professional experience in finance could be a potential help to the
city. I was influenced that the expertise I had would blend nicely with both the other volunteers
and elected members of the city council. I knew in the back of my mind however that there was
a real possibility that we would be returning to Japan and I didn't want to make a commitment
that I wouldn't be able to see through so I decided to postpone that work until we returned to
Ashland for good. Once back home in 2015 1 decided to get more involved and I submitted my
application. I was selected as a citizen member of the budget committee prior to the adoption
of the 2015-2017 budget. I serve on that committee today and it is a role that I take very
seriously. As a member, I have an obligation to be professionally curious, inquisitive and
thorough. Not to dictate policy, but to offer insight into solving financial problems by looking at
potential solutions from a different perspective. I feel strongly that we must be cognizant of the
financial commitments we make today so all of our citizens have the best opportunities possible
to live and succeed in Ashland in the future.
In the summer of 2015 1 reached out to the Ashland Chamber of Commerce to educate myself
about the transient issues facing our town and the impact it was having on our business
community. I shared my own personal experiences and stated that as a business owner and
citizen I thought more needed to be done. My concerns were shared with the Executive
Director and Board and I was selected in late 2015 as a member of the Behavior Task Force
Committee. As you know, this group is made up of many leading business members in our
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community. Like many others I supported the re-education campaign of "Reconsidering How
You Give" coupled with more police enforcement and oversight. That has gone a long way in
controlling behavioral issues of our "traveler" population, which in turn, better serves the
general population and our business community. This was an important Chamber collaboration
and initiative, and we have seen positive results.
4) What is the role of the city councilor?
The role of a city councilor is to serve the citizens of the community he or she represents. This
sounds simplistic but in reality I understand this can be a complex task. A city councilor is
someone who is committed to serve, a good listener, a coalition builder and a problem solver
who is results oriented and able to work well with other to find mutually acceptable solutions to
the problems facing the community. I know as a city councilor I will disagree at times with other
members of the council, as each person will hold true to their own ideals and principles but, as
we agree to disagree, I pledge to listen, be flexible and respectful of others and the positions
they hold dear. I am committed to finding common ground.
In a partnership between city government and the people it represents, I will not be afraid to
support policies that others disagree with in order to best represent all the citizens of our
diverse community. In addition, I know a city councilor must work well with different citizen
advisory committees and employees of the city. There are extensive administrative, budgetary,
and time demands that a city councilor needs to understand and commit to, in order to be an
effective member of the council. I am willing and eager to undertake this responsibility.
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Shaun Joseph Moran
615 Taylor Street
Ashland Oregon 97520
Phonc: (541) 880-4223
Employment: Owner: Hoot Owl Estates, Trail Oregon
Vacation retreat offering cabin rentals on the Upper Rogue River
2009- Present
Head of Execution Services, Managing Director
November 201010 J1117e 2013
J.P. Morgan Chase Japan Securities Co., Ltd.
I was in charge of transforming the J.P. Morgan institutional agency execution services platform
which involved a detailed technology overhaul, extensive cost-benefit analysis and a revamp of
the entire client/broker process. I was tasked with overseeing all institutional client order flow
and execution in Japanese equities for the firm in Japan. I had 25 direct reports. A large part of
my job was to improve J.P. Morgan's client execution capabilities, analyze client profitability and
introduce broker attribution modeling to better understand employee efficiency and
accoUmtability. Additionally I was involved with the learning and development program to mentor
younger key employees in the equity franchise.
Head of Execution Services, Managing Director
Muv 2000 to Febrtrurv 2009
Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd.
From 2007 headed Bank of America/Merrlll Lynch execution services platform which consisted
of oversight of offshore and domestic sales trading, cash trading execution, low touch trading,
listed futures and options, facilitation and portfolio trading. I had 42 people reporting to me. Our
offshore sales trading team routinely rated top in Japanese equity. Outside of day to day
management responsibilities I ran the learning and development program for the equity business
which focused on devclopment of key performers/upcoming talent which became the template for
Learning and Development program in Asia. I modeled leadership and team building with all
members of the equity business. I covered many of the most senior and important accounts with
global significance to the Merrill cash equity franchise in Japan.
Managing Director Sales / National Sales Manager in Retail Division
September 1998 to April 2000
Massachusetts Investment Management Co., Ltd.
Head of the MFS retail mutual fiord sales channel in Japan. Responsiblc
for developing the mutual fund channel sales network in both the domestic
and non-.Japanese banks/brokers. Supervised a three man .lapanese sales team
and conducted day to day business management and investment discussions in
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Head of Japanese Equity Derivative Sales Team, Vice President
July 1994 to August 1998
Daiwa Securities America, ('Tokyo Office)
Supervised a total of five Daiwa America employees in Tokyo covering overseas clients
trading listed, OTC equity derivatives and Japanese equities. Provided market
information, news, and trading ideas.
Education: Yoshida Institute of Japanese Language, Tokyo, Japan.
Completed intensive Japanese language program. 1990-1992
Bates College, Lewiston, Maine B.A. Political Science. 1985-1989
Edinburgh University, Edinburgh Scotland
Concentrated in Comparative Politics and Asian Political History. 1987-1988
Volunteer: Tokyo English Life Line (TELL)
Helped with organization and fund raising for group which was an English support life line
for expatriate community in Japan who sought help and counseling. 1991-1993
Other: Fluent .lapanese. Very strong sales presentation and people skills. Proficient in Microsoft
Excel and Microsoft Word, Financial Services Series 3,7,64,24 registered
References: Available upon request