Ober appointed to key role in County Administrative Office

County Administrator Tanya Ange announced the appointment of Ann Ober as assistant county administrator this week. Ober will begin her tenure with Washington County on May 1.

Ober will serve as a new assistant county administrator with a portfolio including Facilities, Fleet and Parks Services, Information Technology Services and the county’s Sustainability Program. Ober will also supervise County Administrative Office operations, government relations, and will liaise with the offices the County Auditor, County Counsel, Finance and Human Resources.

Ober comes to Washington County after serving for nearly two decades in local governments, including as city manager over the last seven years for Milwaukie, Oregon. She has also served in executive roles for municipal governments in Utah, including Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City and Park City. Her portfolios have included sustainability, emergency management, information technology, government relations, community relations and diversity. Ober earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Utah and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Pacific Lutheran University.

“I’m excited to see Ann bring her proven skills in leadership and local government management to Washington County as a member of our executive leadership team,” said County Administrator Tanya Ange. “Ann’s career focus, range of experience and commitment to public service fit well within the human-focused approach we are taking as a One Washington County organization.”

"As a passionate believer in county services, I am thrilled to be a part of this incredible and dynamic team. I hope during my tenure I can be of service to others in accomplishing great things," said Ober.

Washington County is a home-rule municipality operating under the council-manager form of government. The five non-partisan elected commissioners appoint a county administrator to serve as the chief executive of the organization. The chair of the board of county commissioners is elected at-large while the four other commissioners are elected from districts. All commissioners are elected to serve four-year terms.

County services are made possible through a workforce of approximately 2,392 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. The county’s all-funds budget for fiscal year 2023-24 is $1.7 billion, of which $347 million is in the general fund.

The county works cooperatively with more than a dozen cities that are wholly or partially within the county’s boundaries, five fire districts, plus Clean Water Services and other service districts to serve the county’s shared residential, business and institutional constituents.

Washington County’s 610,101 population, the second largest county in Oregon, is among the state’s most diverse, including largest county population of Latino/Latina/Latinx community members and the highest percentage of Asians and Pacific Islanders. The county is home to a thriving high-technology industry, sometimes referred to as the Silicon Forest, as well as world leaders in sports and recreational apparel and a long-established agricultural sector.