Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District Director Position 2 Choose 1
Special districts in Oregon are formed to provide specific local government needs. They are created by a vote of the people in the local area being served. Examples include people’s utility districts, library districts, water districts, fire protection districts, and more. They are governed by a board of directors, which is responsible for management and financial accountability. Special districts are empowered to levy any necessary taxes and fees to fulfill their mandate. Board members are not paid but may receive a per diem reimbursement.The 267 fire protection districts in Oregon can have different structures and mandates, but all are responsible for funding and staffing fire prevention and safety services, and for managing the budgets of local fire stations.Qualifications: Candidate must be a registered voter or a landowner in the district. If the district has a supporting ordinance, employees of the district are not eligible. ORS 478.050Term: 4 years
Biographical Information
What skills and experience, including prior board experience, do you bring to the position?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What do you see as the top priorities for the District, and how would you achieve them?
Candidate has not yet responded.
How do you understand the board’s role in relation to that of the fire chief?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Biographical Information
Town Where You Live
Sisters
Your Experience/Qualifications
I have been associated with the fire district since 2015 when I was appointed to serve on the budget committee . I also helped the district’ develop two strategic plans. I am currently wrapping up an eight-year stint on the SPRD board; served as the first board chair of Seed to Table; and spent four years on the Sisters City Parks Advisory Board.
County
OR
Term
4 years
Term Expires
2028
What skills and experience, including prior board experience, do you bring to the position?
EXPERIENCE -
I sent over 20 years as a strategic planner and performance manager for state and local government but in the United States and Australia. He management experience includes:
Board of Directors– Sisters Park and Recreation District
Budget Committee – Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District
Board Vice-Chair - Sisters City Parks Advisory Board
Owner – Measures Matter Consulting
Deputy Director – New York City Mayor’s Office of Operations
Director – South Australia Strategic Plan
Executive Director – (State of) Oregon Progress Board
EDUCATION -
I have training in both civil engineering and public management.
Drexel University, BS, Civil Engineering
MIT, SM, Civil Engineering
Harvard University, MPA
What do you see as the top priorities for the District, and how would you achieve them?
1. Refreshing the District’s Plans –The district is overdue to update its strategic plan (2022-23), and some key operational data are out of date. As a planner and self-professed data junkie, I would love to have the opportunity to work with other board members and Chief Prior to update both.
2. Supporting Efforts to Make Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation a Higher Community Priority – Climate change continues to grow the threat of a cataclysmic wildfire in our area. While I fully support existing work, like the City’s defensible space building code modifications, I would advocate for a more rigorous inter-agency/government public planning process with clear goals and measurable outcomes.
How do you understand the board’s role in relation to that of the fire chief?
The chief reports to the board which is responsible for the successful operation of the district. The board approves the budget and sets policy for all aspects of district operation. The board oversees just one employee of the district - the chief. Personnel matters and operational decisions are the province of the fire chief. Perhaps the most important role of the board is hiring an outstanding individual to lead the department as fire chief.