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 Public Affairs Associate, Megan Chuinard

Megan Chuinard joined the AOC team in March of 2019 as public affairs associate. In her role, Megan oversees communications for the organization, including managing public relations, strategic communications – internal and external, marketing, digital media, design, publications, and overall brand management. 

Immediately prior to joining AOC, Megan served as director of government affairs at Oregon Business and Industry (OBI) with an emphasis on education and workforce development and health care policy.

Megan’s background includes policy development and analysis, strategic planning, and advocacy work in and with the State Legislature where she served as legislative director for a caucus office. She also served in key roles in a number of organizations leading campaign strategy, communications initiatives, and fundraising across a variety of issues and candidates.

Megan holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science with a minor in communication studies from the University of Oregon.

AOC Public Affairs Department

Megan’s role is housed in the AOC public affairs department. The public affairs department is a multifunctioning agency within AOC that develops and implements strategic communications strategies across the organization; creates and provides educational programs and resources; acts as the member services representatives for AOC; and serves as a central repository for research and information pertinent to advancing county issues and leading counties to success. Core service areas of the public affairs department include: advocacy; communications; education; membership; research and data management; and interdepartmental engagement.

Why Megan Loves AOC

“AOC, unlike any other organization, is in a unique position to bring together voices from diverse regions of the state, and diverse perspectives to deliver critical services to Oregonians. 

 Whether it be the road you drive to work on, first responders helping you through a crisis, that new facility that’s helping grow your local economy, or housing support – counties are a part of all of these things and more. 

Through AOC, county officials work together to elevate a continuum of issues across state, federal, and local stakeholders that ultimately make direct impacts in the lives of their residents- and that’s a powerful thing.” 

What Interests Megan in Her Work

“I’ve been in the political world for around 12 years – and have always had a love of public service. My role in delivering communications to our members, to the public, to the media – is fun, dynamic, and I love being able to connect people to critical resources and information.”

What Megan Wants to See in the Future for AOC

“Our members are strong advocates for their communities. I’d love for AOC to continue elevating this great work, and being nimble in adapting to the needs of the future.” 

Outside of AOC

Megan lives in Wilsonville with her dog, Jax. In her leisure time, Megan can be found training for her next half marathon, golfing, bouldering, traveling, reading, volunteering, and spending time with her friends. 

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate