Government: County Appoints April Holland as Health Director, Local Employment Numbers Released

Benton County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.3% in June, matching its revised rate of 3.3% in May. Oregon’s statewide unemployment rate in June was 4.1%, ticking down from its revised May rate of 4.2%.  

Benton County’s employment gains in June were more than normal; total nonfarm employment increased by 170 jobs, when an employment increase of 120 jobs would be expected. As a result, seasonally adjusted employment increased 50 jobs between May and June.  

Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment is now up 5.5% from the level in February 2020, 2,390 jobs above its pre-pandemic level.  

Over the past year Benton County’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment is up 1,430 jobs or 3.2%. The private sector overall added 70 jobs over the month. Leisure and hospitality added 80 jobs. Other services employment increased by 20 in June. The public sector overall added 100 jobs in June. Local government employment increased 90. State government added 10 jobs and federal government was unchanged. 

County Makes Key Health Department Hire 

Benton County has announced that April Holland has been appointed as the Benton County Health Department Director, effective July 17, 2024. 

Holland had been serving in the role on an interim basis since March 2023. The County points out that she is known for her relationship-oriented leadership and commitment to a healthy workplace culture.  

They also note Holland has a background in epidemiology and focuses on using data to improve health outcomes. Holland joined Benton County as the Deputy Director of Public Health in December 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Previously, Holland managed programs focused on Epidemiology, Communicable Disease, Immunizations, Vital Statistics, and Public Health Preparedness. She holds a Master of Public Health degree from Oregon State University. 

Her immediate plans include working with Community Health Centers Executive Director Lacey Mollel to finalize the Health Services structure and engage staff in defining a shared mission and strategic priorities. Mollel is herself another County executive that recently moved from interim to permanent, as we reported last month.