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A nonprofit group formed to manage Portland’s first materials resource library is looking for an executive director.

The library, called the Portland Center for Design and Innovation, was announced in February by the Portland Development Commission. It will be located on Portland’s west side and will provide samples of sustainable materials for buildings, clothing and other design needs. The physical center will be complemented by an online database with information about materials, prices and manufacturing contacts.

The nonprofit that will manage the library, Portland Center for Design and Innovation Inc., has elected its first officers, including president Sia Vossoughi of Ziba Design, secretary Scott Davidson of Lane Powell and treasurer Dan O’Leary of Geffen Mesher. A national search is now under way to find an executive director of the organization, according to Steve Potestio of Potestio, a marketing firm managing the talent search for the group.

“The preference would be for someone local who has business contacts here and a lay of the land,” Potestio said. “We’re looking nationally because we don’t want to rule anyone out. We’d like someone who is passionate about arts, architecture, design, apparel and innovation with 7 to ten years of senior management experience.”

The PDC has reserved $1.1 million of its River District Urban Renewal Area funds to act as a building improvement loan once a specific site for the center is chosen. Another $50,000 in PDC funds will be used to start the center and select a site.

Other board members are Jamie Bainbridge of Nau, John Bradley of R&H Construction, Frances Bronet of the University of Oregon, Ann Desimone of Nike, Bill Dieter of Terrazign, Lani Hayward of Umqua Bank, Jennifer Nolfi of the PDC, Barbara Sestak of Portland State University and Jan Willemse of Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects.