Michael Lewellen has led a decorated career spanning more than four decades. Most recently, he was the first executive to hold the position of Vice President for Marketing and Communications at the University of Portland (UP) in its 123-year history.  He served the University from 2019 to 2024, and led the entities responsible for Marketing, Public Affairs, Internal Communications, Advertising, social media, Graphic Design, Video Production, Photography, Printing/Mailing Services and Portland magazine, the institution’s alumni publication.

Prior to joining UP, Lewellen served for seven years as Vice President of Corporate Communications for the Portland Trail Blazers, directing the NBA franchise’s corporate communications, business communications and public engagement strategies.  His role also included leadership of public and civic affairs, and media communications concerning Rip City Management, Moda Center, Rose Quarter and Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Lewellen's professional pedigree includes leadership positions with Nike, Turner Sports, Fox Sports Net, Black Entertainment Television, NBCUniversal and Heart of Florida United Way, and features specialties in media strategies, reputation management, sports and entertainment publicity, crisis response and brand communications.  A native of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Lewellen holds a bachelor’s degree in journalismfrom Arkansas State University and is an accredited public relations practitioner through both the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).  In 2020, the Oregon Chapter of PRSA honored Lewellen with the William W. Marsh Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to public relations profession – the first-ever African-American practitioner to receive that recognition.

Locally, Lewellen was elected as the 2023 President of the University Club of Portland, the first African-American president in the 125-year history of the city’s leading private professional and social club.  He serves on the board of trustees of the Legacy Health Foundation; and is past chair of the board of directors for the Urban League of Portland, Oregon’s oldest Black nonprofit organization.  Lewellen is a married father of three children – Brandi, Elliott (deceased) and Ethan; and has four grandchildren.