October 2018

Leadership in LO

During the recruitment process for the Library Director position, I learned that Melissa Kelly had been chosen by the other libraries in Clackamas County to chair the group that implemented RFID for all the libraries. Then at Wendy Svaren’s retirement party, I learned that Wendy had not only been elected as president of the Oregon Peace Officers Association, but she also founded a group that established best practices for evidence and property in all Oregon police agencies.

I wondered if this was the tip of the iceberg. I knew that Leslie Taylor was a leader in the upgrade of the emergency communications system not only in Clackamas County, but in the region. Sue Scobert had a leadership role in moving to a regional police records system. Kari Duncan has been a leader in the American Public Works Association, and Megan Phelan was elected to the board of the Oregon City Manager’s Association, and was a founder of the Oregon Women’s Leadership Academy.

Rachel Sykes and Madison Thesing are working with other cities like Hillsboro and Beaverton to coordinate the way cities deal with the new micro cell antenna technology. Elizabeth Bunga as Building Official and Erica Rooney as City Engineer are role models in professions that have historically been dominated by men. The list goes on…

With companies like Nike struggling to change their corporate culture, I’m proud that the City of Lake Oswego is setting an example for other government agencies in Oregon. To all the women who have such key roles, whether within our organization or beyond: I salute you.

Introducing New Colleagues

Adam Brensen is an operator at our new water treatment plant. He comes to us after three years with Clean Water Services. Adam and his wife Rosemary live in Milwaukie and have a 20-month-old son, Silas. No pets at the moment. Outside of work, Adam enjoys outdoor activities, music, and cooking.

Jason Hoye is a new utility worker in the public works wastewater department. Jason was born and raised outside of Chicago, and held several jobs in Illinois before moving to Oregon (in Milwaukie). In his free time, Jason enjoys cycle cross racing, and hopes to bike to work in the future, especially if the bike/ped bridge over the Willamette gets built. No pets, but his girlfriend has a dog.

Hillary Evart is on staff as a children's librarian, after serving the library on an on-call basis for three years. Hillary was born in San Francisco and grew up in the Bay area, with a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley and a master's from San Diego State. She later added to those with a master's in library and information science. She has worked for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and she and her husband both work for philanthropic organizations. They have two young adult children, and a rescue dog named Cooper. They live in Portland near Grant High and are active with the Hollywood Theater nonprofit organization. Hillary also enjoys running and open water swimming.