Rick Schiedler grew up in Mount Angel, married his high school sweetheart, Cindy, and together, they raised three daughters. In 2008, he ran and was elected mayor, a large commitment of time that offers no financial compensation.
Schiedler has been named one of three Portland General Electric Outstanding Volunteers for 2011. The award, created to honor the volunteer spirit of PGE’s employees and retirees, recognizes individuals who show extraordinary commitment to the causes they care about most.
“I am honored to be a part of a company whose employees exemplify one of PGE’s strongest core values, and that is giving back,” said Dave Robertson, vice president of public policy. “It is inspiring to see how generous people are with their time and talents.”
In addition to Schiedler’s career as an estimator with Service and Design at PGE’s Salem line center, he contributes 30 volunteer hours a month for civic causes. He ran for mayor after years on the city’s budget committee, planning commission and city council. He is responsible for hiring the current city administrator, facilitating growth, and creating funding for park and street improvements. Each September, Schiedler dons his lederhosen to give opening remarks at Mount Angel’s Oktoberfest.
Schiedler is also involved with the town’s Catholic community and the Knights of Columbus. Ron Scott, a Knights of Columbus member who nominated Schiedler, shared what sets the mayor apart.
“I will say it in two words: always there,” said Scott. “Whenever there is an activity the Knights are doing for the betterment of the community, Rick is there.”
Susan Muir, Mount Angel city administrator, also nominated Schiedler and said he is often asked how much he gets paid to be mayor.
“He approaches his position with such high standards and dedication that people are often surprised when he explains it’s not a paid position,” said Muir.
In honor of Schiedler’s dedication to Mount Angel and his community, PGE is awarding a $500 Outstanding Volunteer Grant to organizations of his choice.
In addition to Schiedler, this year’s PGE Outstanding Volunteer Award recipients are Mark Foster, president of the Hearing Loss Association’s Portland chapter, and Jana Quinlan, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation board member. They were selected from among 60 nominations submitted by nonprofit and schools, PGE managers and employees.
