The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) is a 24-member staff of professional employees with broad duties and skill-sets. Each team member helps make AOC the success it is today. Here is an opportunity to meet a member of your AOC team.

Meet AOC County Road Program Transportation Policy Analyst, Jordan Cole

Jordan Cole joined the AOC team in April of 2021. In his role as transportation policy analyst, Jordan is responsible for a wide variety of policy and legal research, and analysis of local, state, and federal transportation policy issues. His duties and responsibilities include: providing policy research; publicizing state and federal policy; writing public comment; performing data analysis; planning meetings and conferences; and staffing and providing technical assistance related to the County Road Program (CRP) and the Oregon Association of County Engineers and Surveyors (OACES).

Bringing a diverse public policy background to AOC, before joining the team, Jordan taught policy analysis and public administration at Washington State University Vancouver, served as a quantitative research analyst for a consulting firm, and currently serves on a number of local nonprofit boards.

Jordan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder; and a Masters of Public Policy from Portland State University Hatfield School of Government.

AOC County Road Program

Jordan’s position is housed in the CRP department of AOC.

The AOC CRP was established in 1990 as a cooperative with the OACES to provide advocacy, education, and cost-effective solutions as a trusted central resource for information and technical assistance for Oregon’s county road departments. The purpose of the CRP is to enhance county road management capabilities with programs of shared technical assistance. The core functions of CRP include: advocating for the county road system; providing education and information to road officials; providing cost accounting software – IRIS – for county road departments; and staffing OACES. 

Why Jordan Loves AOC

“I believe in the power of research and analysis to facilitate consensus, bring rural and urban communities together, and guide advocacy to ensure that county governments have the information, resources, and authority they need to serve Oregonians.”

What Interests Jordan in His Work

“The critical impact transportation policy has on small communities cannot be overstated. These policies impact every aspect of daily life, from getting to work and visiting with friends and family to economic development, environmental sustainability, land use planning, the housing market, and healthcare accessibility. Counties have a unique and powerful role in shaping communities, growing local economies, and ensuring that all Oregonians prosper.”

What Jordan Wants to See in the Future for AOC

“I believe that AOC is uniquely positioned to be a leader in policy conversations around transportation, infrastructure, and economic development — by focusing on what unites counties, AOC can be a strong nonpartisan voice for well-reasoned, evidence-based public policy that lifts every community in Oregon.”

Outside of AOC

Jordan lives in Portland with his cat, Biscuit. In his spare time he enjoys convening book clubs, comic book clubs, game nights, and discussing media studies and history.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate