New Board Chair Jeff Becker
Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District welcomes Jeff Becker, Director from Zone 3, as the District’s new board Chair. Becker was elected by the board at the June 16, 2016 meeting to serve as board Chair during the 2015-2016 fiscal year. Chair Becker follows Ron Oberg, Director from Zone 2, who has led the board of directors since June 2012.
Chair Becker joined the Clackamas Soil and Water District Board of Directors in February 2014 after serving as both an associate board member and budget committee member. He is a local farmer in Carus and a property manager of the President’s residence at Lewis & Clark College. A graduate of University of Oregon with a degree in business, as well as an accomplished guitarist and song-writer, Becker has long been interested in local food and conservation issues.
Becker had high praise for past board Chair Ron Oberg. “Not only has Ron led by example, he has helped me personally by sharing information and guiding me. He’s been a fantastic Chair and I’m grateful that he’ll still be on the board to share his knowledge and experience.” Becker begins his tenure as board Chair with a deep respect for his fellow board members. “The Board is very good at handling the diverse issues that come through the door,” states Becker. “When people come to us with a conservation concern, we can help. We have a wide range of knowledge and interests represented on our board, and I’d like to maintain the type of leadership that allows our members to feel free to express ideas, even when they conflict.”
He notes that the Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District is a quiet presence in Clackamas County and is looking forward to expanded outreach to community partners and citizens. “People who know us say wonderful things about our work, but those who don’t know us have no idea about the great work we do.” He applauds the District’s annual scholarship program and envisions more outreach to young people, “so when they’re older, they’ll already know about us.”
