![\"Ryan](\"http:\/\/pdxpeople.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Ryan-Flynn-is-all-smiles-001.jpg\")
<\/a>We sure have interviewed some interesting people for this column and Ryan Flynn is no exception. A native Oregonian, born and raised in Corvallis, Ryan now spends his time representing Portland\u2019s interests in concert with our sister city, Utrecht, The Netherlands.<\/p>\n
Although born in Corvallis, Ryan attended Willamette University in Salem before moving on to become Pacific Power\u2019s General Counsel. After some time in that position, Ryan\u00a0added a decidedly international flair to the work he does, which involves focusing on the Portland\/Utrecht relationship.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a friendship city relationship between Portland and Utrecht, which means that we spend a lot of time engaging with the cities, state and provincial governments, maker organizations and other community focused business groups,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Portland\u2019s relationship with Utrecht was born out of a number of synergies between the cities, as Ryan explains.<\/p>\n
\u201cPortland and Utrecht formally became friendship cities in 2013,\u201d he says, \u201cand in the years leading up to that, government officials had visited each other\u2019s cities on unrelated matters and discovered the similarities. Specifically, they noticed the biking culture, craft beer, the weather and the politics. Also, the direct flight between Portland and Amsterdam means that there was a logistical connection.\u201d<\/p>\n
These efforts began with an entrepreneurial spirit, much the same way so many collaborative relationships like this begin.<\/p>\n \u201cI started my own business with two Dutch guys in an effort to partner with entrepreneurs and small businesses to bring Dutch products to Portland and Portland products to The Netherlands,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n He also operates a political consulting firm based out of Washington D.C. that focuses on attracting Dutch companies looking for American political advice.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a direct connection between the work we do in Holland and life in Portland,\u201d he says. \u201cOur company is focused on helping small companies with terrific products or brands grow into new markets.\u201d<\/p>\n Although his focus has been on the city relationship and business end, he has also become engaged in World War II history and specifically in the plight of Dutch Jews during that time.<\/p>\n \u201cI also really enjoy exercising and learning all I can about Dutch culture,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n After spending so much time in The Netherlands, Ryan must certainly have some thoughts on how the Dutch do things when compared with their friends across the pond.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the Dutch have \u2013 after many centuries of trial and error \u2013 a great sense of what\u2019s important and valued. They are very invested in their family and friends and their work or profession is designed around that focus. This translates to the feel of their cities, which are aimed at making life convenient and accessible, whether through the biking culture, close living quarters, or other unique aspects of Dutch society,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n All of this sounds somewhat familiar, which is highlighted in Ryan\u2019s final statement.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s true when people ask me \u2018What\u2019s Holland like?\u2019 I respond, \u2018Bikes and smiles.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n With so much in common, it\u2019s no wonder Utrecht and Portland have forged such a strong bond, and having a PDX Person<\/a> like Ryan Flynn there to enhance that relationship means only good things for both cities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n William Bessette<\/strong> \u2013 PDX People Contributor<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Follow William on: <\/strong> Facebook<\/u><\/a>\u00a0, Twitter<\/u><\/a>\u00a0 Connect with William on:<\/strong> LinkedIn<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>William Bessette is a journalist and freelance writer who has been covering politics, entertainment, culture and travel for over thirteen years. When he\u2019s not profiling Portland-area restaurants and residents, you can find him reporting on national and international travel and eco-tourism through his travel brand, <\/em><\/strong>Floppy Hat Adventures<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n