About Vic Gilliam

The road to the statehouse for Rep. Vic Gilliam is full of experience. The son of a pastor, Vic spent his early childhood in the mid-west until his family moved to Oregon in 1966. Vic attended schools in southeast Portland, graduating from Franklin High School. He attended Warner Pacific College in East Multnomah County, serving his senior year as Student Body President. He also had the honor of being nominated by then Governor Tom McCall and confirmed by the Oregon Senate to serve on the Education Coordinating Council.

After graduation, Vic accepted a one year fellowship at the Lilly Endowment as a researcher and grant maker. He then served Senator Mark O. Hatfield as a legislative assistant and field representative. Still having a passion for education, Rep. Gilliam obtained his Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration.

With education and experience under his belt, his love for Oregon brought Rep. Gilliam back to Oregon to Willamette University where he combined his talents in fundraising with his passion for education. Rep. Gilliam has spent over twenty-five years utilizing his strong communication and people skills to fundraise for non-profit organizations, including Willamette University, OHSU Foundation, International Youth Foundation and Mercy Corps.

Rep. Gilliam has a long resume of community service. Much of his volunteer experience has given him a unique perspective on issues that now come before him in the legislature. He has had experience with prisons and prisoners working toward restoration, serving as a member of the board of the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program of Marion County, and as past board member of Emmanuel Fellowship Salem Prison Ministry. His involvement and commitment to our youth are evident through his service on the Salem Young Life Committee and as a member of the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee to the Salem School Superintendent. He also coached his nephew and friends in the Rex Putnam community basketball league. He served as a Director of the Campaign Cabinet for United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, helping raise money for many charities in our community that are on the frontlines providing services and support to people in need.

Vic Gilliam has lived in Silverton since 1998, and his daughters, Leanne and Becky, have attended Silverton schools since kindergarten. Becky is a senior at Silverton High School, and Leanne recently graduated from Seattle Pacific University. After many years as a bachelor, the lovely Becky Arnett rescued Rep. Gilliam bringing laughter and love into his home, along with her wonderful son, Taylor, to complete their family.

Gilliam family mission trip to Nicaragua to help build and create a village for homeless Nicaraguan families.