After five years of fostering consensus based work through counties, County Solutions director and founder, Greg Wolf announced his retirement effective October 31 this year.
Wolf built a career and a life deeply rooted in the collaborative spirit having worked in policy resolution and community-based problem-solving for over 40 years. Wolf’s inspiration for a life in public service began with Governor Tom McCall. Wolf says he found the governor to be “an inspiring leader who highlighted the beauty of the state.” McCall also shaped his interest in land use planning in particular. In 1976, Wolf got his start working between Yamhill, Linn, and Benton counties and the State as a planning coordinator. Thereafter, Wolf moved to Lane County, and quickly joined the land use planning commission.
Wolf’s interest in public service and coordination endured, and he quickly rose through the ranks, serving in various roles throughout the State, including, as deputy director of the Department of Land Use and Conservation Development and worked closely with Governor John Kitzhaber as a key advisor. His work touched multiple levels of government and supported collaboration through a broad array of partners. Inevitably, through his innovative style of leadership, and drive for public service, Wolf created the National Policy Consensus Center and the Oregon Consensus Program at Portland State University. He also created Oregon Solutions and Regional Solutions, pivotal programs in state collaboration with local governments, business, community partners, and others. Each program brought together key stakeholders to find consensus and community-based solutions on regional issues.
In 2015, Wolf returned to his county roots, joining the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) with an eye on supporting the unique roles of county commissioners, judges, and chairs and their ability to bring people together, and launched a new program, County Solutions. The program, which serves all 36 counties, brings county leaders, community members, and key partners together to solve problems and seize opportunities in their region. County Solutions also provides technical assistance and coordination capacity for counties.
“There really isn’t anyone else that has that convening authority at the county level. It’s a unique opportunity to provide a problem solving approach,” Wolf says of the program. “Because of their position, county commissioners, judges, and chairs see the whole field of issues, and unlike anyone else, they understand the relationships, and how things are interrelated.” This, he says, is why County Solutions came to fruition, to support those connections, and to help county leaders act as conveners in supporting their community needs.
In today’s political climate, Wolf suggests, “polarization is the real enemy of collaboration. It’s much harder to get people to the table in this environment- but one of the chances we have to bring people together is at the county level. On the ground, issues are not as polarized.” Wolf said that while challenges may exist at the state and federal levels, there is a real opportunity to unite around critical local issues “social services, transportation, housing, economic development challenges,” he says, “these things are not bound to party on the ground in counties, which is why commissioners can play that unique role.”
Wolf said of this county facilitation method, “it works.” And indeed it does. Wolf has many projects currently in the fold, and has successfully supported county leaders in their convening roles, helping secure resources to complete connections of the Oregon Trail, support needs for NORCOR, acquire technical assistance through the state for safety net services in counties, and most recently helped secure $30 million to support sheltering needs related to the recent wildfires. Today, County Solutions supports a variety of projects, including the Maritime Workforce Task Force, Oregon Coast Trail, Project Turnkey, Tide Gates, housing technical assistance, and Sudden Oak Death.
Wolf is revered in his role by many. He has a unique hand in setting counties up for success in their convening role, and connecting commissioners to resources to support their community needs. Lincoln County Commissioner, Doug Hunt, and convener of the County Solutions project – Maritime Workforce Task Force, said of Wolf, “his dedication to our state’s counties, creativity, and commitment to seeking funding and collaborative approach will be missed.”
Moving forward, Wolf believes that AOC can make a difference and can help lead the way in creating institutional structures for collaboration between state and local government. He believes this role is critical in advancing community-based solutions.
The opportunity to build consensus continues to be a north star for Wolf. His work at AOC and throughout the state has built a strong foundation for counties to make a difference and build their communities. In advance of his retirement, he worked with Andy Smith, deputy director of County Solutions, to ensure his legacy moves forward- not for him, but for the state, counties, and AOC. “Andy really has an understanding the relationships needed- what we do often involves legislative advocacy, and Andy, with his background is an excellent leader for the program,” commented Wolf.
Wolf’s work started with counties and ended with counties. There’s no doubt that his legacy will live on at AOC and across counties.
While he is retiring from AOC, Wolf will not be too far from his collaborative role or from counties. County leaders and others will see him in a new position as he develops a new foundation that is sure to cross paths with the work of counties in the future.
AOC, members, and partners wish Greg Wolf well in his retirement. AOC thanks Wolf for his years of service to counties, to the State, and to AOC.
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate