Deputy Communications Director
503-893-9430
Email: denis.theriault@multco.us
Denis Theriault is the deputy communications director for Multnomah County. Denis works closely with the Joint Office of Homeless Services, to help share stories about some of the thousands of people touched by homelessness services every year and to help the public better understand the progress and challenges that come with that work.
Before starting at the County in January 2017, Denis worked in newspapers for nearly 17 years. Most recently, he oversaw politics, education and business coverage as a senior managing producer at the Oregonian, where he also covered the Oregon Legislature, the governor’s office and elections. Denis also worked as news editor at the Portland Mercury, covering Portland City Hall, homelessness and police accountability issues, while also writing the Hall Monitor column.
And though it’s not popular to admit it around these parts, Denis worked in California before coming to Oregon. Denis covered San Jose City Hall and the California Legislature, and also held a variety of editing roles. Denis grew up in Chicagoland and attended Northwestern University.
Off the job, Denis likes sussing out greasy spoon diners and talking long walks to atone for all that occasional culinary excess. He collects books on Chicago history and he’s still desperate to find the perfect Chicago-style pizza (no, he says, deep dish doesn’t count; it’s for tourists). When he’s not eating, he likes to make collage art, take photographs and strum on his guitar.