The Professional Development Academy announced the graduation of nine Oregon county commissioners and individual county and Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) staff have completed the National Association of Counties (NACo) Leadership Academy. The 12-week, online leadership development series led by General Colin Powell empowers commissioners, chairs, judges, and other frontline county government professionals with fundamental, practical leadership skills to deliver results for counties and residents.
Oregon county commissioners and staff and AOC staff to complete the Academy in the spring cohort include:
- Lianne Thompson, commissioner, Clatsop County
- Les Perkins, commissioner, Hood River County
- Kelsie Peterson, staff, Linn County
- Rob Bovett, legal counsel, Association of Oregon Counties
- Megan Chuinard, public affairs associate, Association of Oregon Counties
- Sara Gamaney, executive assistant, Association of Oregon Counties
- Kristen Paul, public affairs associate, Association of Oregon Counties
- Andy Smith, county solutions director, Association of Oregon Counties
- Brian Worley, county road program director, Association of Oregon Counties
Curriculum covers best practices in leadership, organizational development and change management, negotiation and collaboration, effective business communication, and delivery of increased value from high performance county management. Content was developed collaboratively through Professional Development Academy, Fortune 1000 executives, public sector leaders, world-renowned academics and thought leaders, and tailored specifically for the unique challenges and opportunities participants encounter through their service in county government.
Across the country, 812 county employees participated.
To learn more about the Academy, visit the NACo website here.
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard| Public Affairs Associate