First Vice-Chair Frank Dixon

Frank Dixon is serving his first term as First Vice-Chair after organizing and chairing the DPO GLBT Caucus in 2004. Frank was born at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia and lived in nine different places throughout Europe and the United States until his father retired from the Army. He attended high school in Jesse Jackson's Woodlawn neighborhood, witnessing tumultuous 1968 first hand in Chicago. Frank graduated from Notre Dame and then served two years as an Infantry Officer before coming to Oregon in 1976 to attend Lewis and Clark Law School.

Frank's active military service included time as the Chief of the Patrolling Committee at the Infantry Training Center. In the reserves Frank commanded the 104th Division Leadership Academy (Drill Sergeant School). He retired as a Major and helped organize Veterans for Human Rights, a local war veteran's organization dedicated to overturning the discriminatory ban on openly gay military service members. Frank still uses the special plates Governor Roberts authorized for the organization on his car.

Frank practiced consumer law for 15 years in the state and federal courts before turning his eye toward politics and business pursuits. Frank started as a precinct person and neighborhood association president. He has served on the Basic Rights Oregon Board since 2002, co-chairing the Board of Directors for several years. During the 2006 election cycle he served as co-interim Executive Director of BRO. Frank has been involved in numerous Democratic campaigns, including serving as campaign manager and running as a candidate. Frank is presently a member of the Democratic National Committee and a member of the DNC LGBT Caucus. Frank lives with his partner of over 25 years, real estate broker, Dan Volkmer in NW Portland.