County Administration

The County Administrator's Office works with the Board of County Commissioners to facilitate effective and quality service delivery in all County programs. The County Administrator serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the County and is responsible for providing overall direction to County Departments and programs consistent with policy established by the Board of County Commissioners.

Our Staff

County Administrator

Gary Schmidt
gschmidt@clackamas.us
503-655-8581

County Administrator Gary Schmidt serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Clackamas County and is responsible for providing overall direction to county departments and programs consistent with policy established by the BCC.

Gary is a lifelong resident of Clackamas County, a former president of Toastmasters International and was most recently the director of the county’s office of Public and Government Affairs, where he worked in various leadership roles since 2009.

  • leads county Executive Management Team (EMT) which includes all elected and appointed department heads
  • serves as county budget officer and develops the annual budget
  • serves as District Administrator for Service District #1, Tri-City Service District, Surface Water Management Service District, Service District #5 and North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District
  • works with department heads to provide excellent service to citizens and customers
  • appoints and evaluates department heads
  • ensures open communication with the media, citizens and other governments

Deputy County Administrator

Laurel Butman
lbutman@clackamas.us
503-655-8893

  • assists the County Administrator in all general management function of the county
  • serves as County Administrator in absence of County Administrator
  • works directly with county department heads to assess effective and efficient service delivery and timely project completion
  • represents the county at various public and private sector meetings to explain programs and resolve issues

Assistant County Administrators

Dan Chandler
dchandler@clackamas.us
503-742-5394

  • executive strategist and policy advisor to the Board of County Commissioners and the County Administrator
  • represents county leadership on a wide range of topics at the federal, state, regional and local levels
  • provides centralized expertise and guidance on county policy matters
  • provides advice and counsel on complex policy and strategic issues

Emmett Wheatfall
ewheatfall@clackamas.us
503-655-8291

  • supports county efforts to administer its Performance Clackamas Strategic Plan
  • administers county Title II, Title VI, and affirmative action compliance programs
  • assists the county in its commitment to equal employment opportunity and diversity recruitment
  • oversees the county commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, core values, and formation of employee networking groups
  • provides support for the county's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council and Leadership for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council
  • represents the county as its liaison to diverse communities

Clackamas County is committed to maintaining a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. The County is committed to Title II and Title VI compliance as well as its Employment Policies and Practices (EPPs), including Affirmative Action principles.

Policy Statement
It is the policy of Clackamas County to adhere to the concept of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action as basic elements of human resource management. Discrimination in a personnel action on a basis unrelated to the job is prohibited. Employment and promotion decisions in County service shall be made in accordance with the principles of equal opportunity.

County policy specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, or other protected status as those terms are understood under federal, state law and local ordinances.

Clerk to the Board of Commissioners

Mary Raethke
maryr@clackamas.us
503-742-5912

  • clerk for Board of County Commissioners hearings
  • office manager
  • staff assistance for County Administrator
  • department budget

Administrative Board Assistant 2

Kevin Moss
kmoss@clackamas.us
503-742-5923

  • clerk for Land Use Hearings
  • department finances
  • front office

Administrative Board Assistant 1

Julie Larson
jlarson@clackamas.us
503-742-5918

  • admin staff for Dan Chandler & Emmett Wheatfall
  • front office

Commissioner Policy Advisors

Commission Staff Manager

Drenda Howatt
drendahowatt@clackamas.us
503-742-5938

  • manages Commission Policy Advisor staff
  • supports the County Administrator in applying Board policy
  • represents County Commissioners at public and county meetings
  • collaborates with departments on policy development related to Commission initiatives
  • works with other departments to resolve problems
  • responds to citizen inquiries, resolves problems and complaints
  • maintains Commissioner's schedule and appointments

Commission Policy Advisors

Mary Jo Cartasegna
mjcartasegna@clackamas.us
503-742-5942

Kimberlee DeSantis
kimberleedes@clackamas.us
503-742-5913

Caroline Hill
carolinehill@clackamas.us
503-655-8261

Emily Klepper
emilykle@clackamas.us
503-742-5933

Tracy Moreland
tracymor@clackamas.us
503-742-5974

  • responds to citizen inquiries, resolves problems and complaints
  • maintains Commissioner's schedule and appointments
  • represents County Commissioners at public and county meetings
  • collaborates with departments on policy development related to Commission initiatives
  • works with other departments to resolve problems
  • completes research, prepares recommendations and reports for Commissioners