Benton County’s search for a County Administrator has come down to three finalists, and now the public, that’s you, will have a chance to meet these folks, ask questions of them, and let county officials know what you think.
This “Meet the County Administrator Finalists,” event is slated for Wednesday, June 28 from 4:30 to 6:00 pm in the Holmes & Shipley meeting rooms of the Kalapuya Building located at 4500 Research Way in Corvallis. Comment forms will be available for attendees to provide their feedback. Notice of the event wasn’t issued to press until late Monday morning.
In a release, the county wrote, “The event aims to foster transparency, public engagement, and feedback in the decision-making process.”
The County Administrator is the county’s top manager, and is both appointed by, and answerable to the Board of Commissioners. Whoever is appointed, they will be responsible to the Board for managing County operations. The County Administrator has the responsibility and authority to assure County functions are carried out efficiently and effectively.
Here’s the Agenda for Wednesday’s Meet and Greet
The event offers three stages of interaction between the candidates and the community:
- Finalist Presentations: Each finalist will have the opportunity to deliver a presentation, sharing their qualifications, experience, and vision for the role of County Administrator. These presentations are intended to offer insights into the candidates’ capabilities and leadership styles.
- Question and Answer Session, Getting to Know the Candidates: Attendees will have the chance to learn more about and engage with the candidates through a question-and-answer session.
- Networking and Interaction: Following the presentations and the question-and-answer session, attendees will have the opportunity to network and engage in informal conversations with the finalists. This segment, according to County officials, aims to foster a sense of connection and enable community members to interact with the candidates on a more personal level.
“We believe that engaging with the community is essential in selecting the next County Administrator,” said Benton County Commissioner Xan Augerot. “The ‘Meet the County Administrator Finalists’ event provides an excellent opportunity for our key partners and residents to interact directly with the candidates and offer valuable feedback, ensuring a transparent and inclusive selection process.”
For more information about the event or to stay updated on the County Administrator selection process, contact pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.
About the Finalists
Aaron Cubic
Aaron Cubic has served as the City Manager for the City of Grants Pass, Oregon, since 2012. Prior to his time in Grants Pass, Aaron was the City Administrator for the City of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, where he served for seven years. Early in his career, Aaron was the Waste Reduction Manager for Douglas County, Oregon, and later became the Manager of the Lincoln County Solid Waste District. Aaron has a Bachelor of Science from Oregon State University. He is an International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Credentialed Manager and a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Senior Executive Institute, and the ICMA Williamsburg Leadership Institute.
Rachel McEneny
Rachel McEneny has served the City of Albany, New York, since 2016. She spent her first year as the Budget Officer before being promoted to the Commissioner of Administrative Services in 2017. Prior to her time in Albany, Rachel spent three years as the Director of Public Affairs for the New York State Department of Labor/Workers Compensation Board and one year as the Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. Rachel also spent time as the Director of Communications for the Albany County District Attorney and for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Rachel has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a minor in Political Science from the University at Albany, SUNY, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration from Purchase College, SUNY. She is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.
Nancy Newton
Nancy Newton has served as the City Manager for the City of Springfield, Oregon, since 2020. Prior to her time in Springfield, Nancy was the Assistant County Executive/Chief Operating Officer for Sacramento County, California, for four years. She served Clackamas County, Oregon, for 16 years, where she began her career as a Deputy Director for the Commission on Children, Health, and Families in 2000, later becoming Assistant to the County Administrator, and her last six years as the Deputy County Administrator. Nancy has a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Organizational Leadership from George Fox University and an Executive Master of Public Administration from Portland State University. She is an ICMA Credentialed Manager and is currently enrolled in the Executive Leadership Program at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.
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