I came to the job of Benton County Commissioner with a portfolio of relevant experience:
- 25 years of management and policy development experience
- Health policy development for the Oregon Health Plan and social services integration to better serve the client
- 6 years on the Benton County Budget Committee
Since then, I have broadened and deepened my experience by serving as your county commissioner for two terms.
Following are illustrations of my experience organized by topic (Click on a bulleted item to view the topic).
- Transportation
- Economic Development
- Health and Social Services
- Clean Water and the Environment
- Public Safety
- Work History
- Professional Involvement
- Education
Convenient movement of people and freight is a major requirement for livability.
I serve on the Area Commission on Transportation, Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the statewide consortium of MPOs, and the West Coast Corridor Coalition and others.
These organizations have complementary but different roles. The roles include advisory to the Oregon Transportation Commission by prioritizing which highway projects are the most important in Linn, Benton and Lincoln Counties as well as statewide freight issues. The MPO is responsible for transportation planning in and around Corvallis, Adair Village and Philomath.
The Coalition seeks funding and interstate collaboration to create freight movement efficiencies and relieve the I-5 Corridor and West Coast freight congestion. The volume of freight is expected to increase as the freight coming into the coastal ports more than doubles in the next decade. A new opportunity is working with a small group of local elected officials and the Director of ODOT on transportation policy issues.
We must have a diversified economy and stable, predictable funding for local government services and schools.
I serve on the Linn-Benton-Lincoln-Lane Regional Investment Board, Board of the Business Enterprise Center (BEC); participate in the Economic Vitality Partnership effort, and OSU Extension Service Advisory Network.
These organizations all are moving in the same direction with differences in approach. Those approaches include working with partner counties to invest state economic development dollars in projects that build community infrastructure, train the workforce, and help establish new businesses that add jobs and support economic growth.
The BEC is working to “grow our own” businesses and the EVP is developing a strategic economic direction. The Extension Service works to bring research-based practices to farmers and timber growers which boost the local economy.
County staff delivers many state-funded services including public health, mental health, services for the developmentally disabled, environmental health, alcohol and drug treatment, and parole and probation.
I chair the Local Government Advisory Committee for the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) and Accountable Behavioral Health Alliance Board (ABHA).
The Committee advises on the DHS budget and works to untangle red tape and improve the effectiveness of human services. ABHA functions as an “insurance company” for Oregon Health Plan mental health services for five counties and provides technical assistance for program development and operations.
Clean Water and the Environment
Targeted investments should be made in water, transportation and economic development to ensure the livability of the Willamette Valley in the next 50 years.
The County invests in 4-H programs such as Wildlife Stewards, improved fish passage, forest education, natural areas and parks, trails, collaborative habitat restoration with private landowners, conservation easements and trails. We also support invasive weed control and engage in enhancing our landscape’s natural utility function in providing clean water.
I serve as a board member of the Cascades Pacific Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc (RC&D) which works with citizens of rural communities to enhance their quality of life through social, economic, and environmental improvements.
This is a major responsibility of county government which includes juvenile services, prosecution, jail, patrol, parole & probation, emergency management.
I served on the Willamette Criminal Justice Council Corrections Task Force making recommendations about the need for a county jail, policies affecting adult and juvenile corrections and supporting programs.
I was actively engaged for two years in planning the facility and seeking voter funding of a jail facility and the cost of operations. Voters rejected the bond and levy; I worked to pass the jail bed rental levy.
Oregon Health Plan: Participated in formulation of a unique methodology to prioritize health services (conditions and treatments) which is seminal work recognized internationally. Served on the implementation team for the Family Health Insurance Assistance Program
Oregon Option and Oregon’s Community Partnership Team: Oversaw and supported the development of Oregon Option opportunities within Oregon's Department of Human Resources and worked to develop opportunities to use state money in locally designed programs and services.
Oregon State University: Data Services Coordinator for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Business Services Manager for the Extension Service and then the College of Agricultural Sciences. One position provided business services such as accounts payable and receivable, contracting, purchasing and the other provided computer support services –both served about 1500 employees in more than 100 offices throughout the state.
Private Business: Buchanan & Associates (market research).
Actively involved in the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC). I served on the board and legislative committees and led the Steering Committee on Governance and participate in the committees on transportation and human services.
- Oregon State University: MBA with a minor in community health with an emphasis on gerontology. B.S. in accounting with a minor in social sciences
- Linn-Benton Community College: A.A.
- Albany Union High School