Engineering
January 3, 2018
Shiley School of Engineering alumna Jennifer Belknap Williamson ’01 loves to problem solve. As the engineering director for the Port of Portland, Belknap Williamson works with her team of 85 staff members to deliver solutions on a wide range of issues.
“It’s exciting to support the Port’s leadership in the region’s economy through our projects and infrastructure,” Belknap Williamson said. “Being in this role gives me an opportunity to engage in a lot of different areas – from business decisions and staff leadership to project planning, design, and construction.”
The Portland of Portland operates the Portland International Airport (PDX) airport, regional airports in Hillsboro and Troutdale, marine terminals, rail facilities, and industrial property. Belknap Williamson and her team work together to support the region’s economy in projects and infrastructure. With the Port of Portland’s $2 billion capital program over the next 5 years, the team’s current strategic focus areas are to significantly expand the capacity of PDX, revitalize the marine business, and leverage the Port’s strengths to create a more prosperous and livable region.
“I love learning new things and I continually try new projects and push myself outside my comfort zone,” Belknap Williamson said. “My background has given me a great range of experience and helped me be ready to step into new roles when the opportunities arise.”
Belknap Williamson graduated from UP in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. During her time on The Bluff, Belknap Williamson participated in the Honors Program, was a member of UP’s American Society of Civil Engineers concrete canoe team, and enjoyed taking philosophy, biology, religion, and literature classes along with her engineering curriculum.
“I chose to go to UP because I wanted to attend a smaller school with a great engineering program that also gave me opportunities to explore multi-disciplinary interests,” Belknap Williamson said. “I had very supportive and engaging relationships with my professors during my education at UP and afterward.”
Belknap Williamson went on to receive a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering degree and a master’s degree in water resources management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before becoming the engineering director for the Port of Portland, she worked for the stormwater utility for the City of Gresham and the asset management, capital planning and combined sewer overflow compliance for the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services.
During her free time, Belknap Williamson is a mentor and active volunteer with the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association, is chair of the Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies, and volunteers at her children’s school.
Belknap Williamson looks back fondly at her time on The Bluff and advises UP engineering students to learn new disciplines and explore new challenges while in college.
“Prior to college, I had a wide range of interests and I didn’t know if I wanted to pursue engineering, law, or business,” Belknap Williamson said. “Studying engineering is a fantastic foundation for learning how to solve problems, which allows for your career to evolve in many ways after college.”
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