Percy Winters Jr. is a dedicated public servant with over 25 years of service in Multnomah County. He currently works as a Project Manager with the Multnomah County Health Department, where he leads critical initiatives to support public health operations and community well-being. Throughout his County career, Percy has earned a reputation for reliability, collaboration, and a deep commitment to improving systems that serve the public.

In addition to his County role, Percy was the President of AFSCME Local 88, which represents more than 4,200 Multnomah County employees. Local 88 is the second-largest union in Portland and the second-largest in Oregon. Elected in 2017, Percy made history as the first Black president of the union. Under his leadership, membership increased to 97% post-Janus. Percy broke new ground by negotiating the first-ever microaggression language in any union contract nationwide. He also appointed Local 88’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager and built a strong, diverse steward network. Percy’s leadership has been nationally recognized, including being the recipient of AFSCME International Never Quit Award in 2016. In this role, he continues to advocate for better wages, benefits, and working conditions for a diverse and engaged membership.

In 2023, Percy proudly graduated from Harvard Law School where he was a student in Harvard's prestigious Trade Union Program. His academic experience at one of the world’s leading institutions complements his hands-on work in public service and labor leadership, giving him a unique perspective on complex systems and solutions that center community needs.

Percy is also deeply committed to advancing equity and inclusion across the broader public sector. For over 20 years, he has served as Chair and Co-Chair of the Northwest Public Employees Diversity Conference, the largest event of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. The conference promotes inclusive workplace practices and brings together public employees from across the region to engage in education and dialogue on equity, cultural responsiveness, and respectful work environments.

Outside of work, Percy enjoys rooting for his favorite football team - the Pittsburgh Steelers - as well as fishing, camping, and gardening.

Robert Phillips’ Legacy

Robert Phillips, Multnomah County Affirmative Action Officer, has worked in the area of equal employment opportunity for over 25 years and has a long history of involvement in the civil rights field. As Director of Multnomah County’s Affirmative Action Office, Robert was responsible for the development of policy initiatives, plans and programs that promoted respectful work environments for diverse employees and assisted the organization in meeting its equal employment opportunity and affirmative action obligations. Additionally, Robert served as a commissioner for the Port of Portland’s Civil Service Commission where he has served for 10 years. His community service includes appointments to the Nike Corporation’s Minority Affairs Advisory Board; Gubernatorial appointments to the State Commission on Black Affairs and the State Board to Register Clinical Social Workers; and service on the Oregon State Bar Affirmative Action Committee.

In 1996, the diversity program he managed for the City of Portland was recognized as a best practice model by People Management Resources, a division of Watson Wyatt Worldwide. Robert was also responsible for initiating the first national conference on performance measures for diversity programs, sponsored by the National Quality Institute. In addition, Robert was a recipient of the 2009 Arthur Flemming Award by the Multnomah County Managers of Color, the Oregon assembly for Black Affairs Political Development Award, the Northwest Conference of Black Elected Officials Leadership Award and the 2009 Northwest Public Employees Diversity Conference Robert Phillips Regional Diversity Award. He was the first public sector African American graduate of the Center of Creative Leadership’s African American Leadership Program.

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners proclaimed February 28, 2012, as Robert Phillips Appreciation Day in Multnomah County, Oregon. Even after retirement from Multnomah County, Robert had an encore career during which he served as a member of the NW Renal Patients Advisory Board; the Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs Political Convention Planning Committee and the Port of Portland Fire Department Civil Service Board.

This award was created to honor his many contributions in the field of equity for all.

Past Honorees

• 2024 - Kenny Chen, Multnomah County

• 2023 - Alicia Sojourner, City of Vancouver

• 2022 - Geoffrey Kavulya, City of Hillsboro

• 2021 - Earleen Reimann, City of Hillsboro

• 2020 - Kelly Blixhavn, Clackamas County

• 2019 - Debbie Caselton, City of Portland

• 2018 - Sherrelle Jackson, LCSW, Multnomah County

• 2017 - Som Nath Subedi, City of Portland