DPO Officers

Dr. Rosa Colquitt was elected State Party Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon after serving as its Vice Chair and Chair of the Black Caucus, and a lifetime of dedication to the Democratic cause.

Having grown up in a military family with three older sisters, mom, and her dad who devoted thirty years of his life to the U.S. Army, Dr. Colquitt lived on various bases on the East Coast and in the Southern United States. In addition to living on a number of statewide bases, she spent five and a half years in Kaiserslautern, Germany teaching at an American high school. Travel has been instrumental in her life’s education, informing how she relates to people of all races, cultures, backgrounds, beliefs, and identities. 

Dr. Colquitt completed three college degrees in North Carolina, a BS degree at HBCU, Fayetteville State University and an MA and PhD at North Carolina State University in Research Administration. 

Her life’s philosophy is based on a great quote from poet and activist Dr. Maya Angelou: 

“You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without COURAGE. My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.”

Serving as Chair of the Jefferson County Democrats (4 years), and then as Chair of the Rural Caucus is where Kim began work within the Democratic Party of Oregon. In early 2021 Kim initiated work in outreach programs to non-affiliated voters to help change elections for the positive in more conservative, rural communities. Kim believes it is through local civic involvement we make the greatest impact on the local community. To this end, Kim focuses on young voter outreach, is an advisor for high school student leadership groups where 85% of her leaders are BIPOC, and serves on the Latino Community Association – Latino Festival Committee. Kim takes local experiences and passion for rural people to the state and national stage with service as Chair of the Rural Caucus, Chair of CD2 and additionally serving as the DNC Rural Council Western Regional Representative. Kim does democracy and policy  work so that rural young people, marginalized people of color, those who are undocumented, and families in need always know that someone standing in their corner, willing to fight for what is right.

For the better part of her career, Eileen Kiely was a financial controller and manager for Daimler Trucks North America. She moved to Sunriver in 2015, beginning her “retirement career” as an outdoor leader and educator. Eileen ran for State Legislature in 2018, and in 2019 was elected Vice Chair of the Deschutes County Democrats as well as Democratic Party of Oregon Secretary.

Travis Nelson is the grandson of Louisiana sharecroppers. When he was a small child his family moved from Louisiana to the Pacific Northwest in search of a better life. Travis was a Head Start kid who is thankful for the free public school lunches he received as a child. Prior to earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Washington State University, Travis earned his Associates degree in Nursing from a community college in rural Eastern Washington near the Oregon border. He is now a Board Certified Registered Nurse who has specialized in Medical/Surgical Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, Emergency Nursing, Case Management and has even served as a Charge Nurse on a Physical Rehabilitation Unit. Travis has now resided in North Portland for nearly a decade.

In addition to serving as a DNC Member, Travis serves the party as a Precinct Committee Person (PCP) in Multnomah County and as Western Director of the Democratic National Committee Black Caucus. Additionally, Travis served as a delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. In 2020, Travis had the honor of serving as Co-Chair of the Oregon Delegation to the Democratic National Convention, thanks to the support of Senators Jeff Merkely and Ron Wyden.

Travis works full time as a Union Representative where he advocates for his fellow Registered Nurses and fights for social justice. Travis is a member of the Oregon Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, AFL-CIO, Teamsters Local 117, American Federation of Teachers, Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, The Urban League, The Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs (OABA), Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and is a board member of Nurses For Single Payer.

Serving his second 4-year term as a Democratic National Committeeman, Matt Keating (he/him) also serves Oregon voters as Eugene City Councilor (2021-2025) and Lane Community College Board Member (2013-2021).

A former broadcaster, Matt brings years of community organizing, political digital consulting, and field management expertise to his role as DNC Member. In both urban and rural settings, he’s worked for a multitude of Democratic candidates and allied organizations including MoveOn.org, Democracy for America, CREDO SuperPAC, and We Are Wisconsin.

Matt is active with the DNC’s Western States Regional Caucus, LGBT Caucus, Poverty Council, Interfaith Council, and DNC Council on the Environment & Climate Crisis.

Alongside Matt on many a progressive political adventure are his trusted pals Vegas, a rescue Great Dane and his talented and inspiring fiancée Becca.