Board of County Commissioners
Lane County, Oregon board of County Commissioners and their biographies and districts.
The Board of County Commissioners legislates and administers County government within the limits of its authority granted in the Lane County Home Rule Charter. The charter grants legislative and administrative power to the full-time, paid five-person board.
Individually, board members may seek to address the needs of constituents and carry out special assignments as the full Board may direct. This program includes Performance Auditing, which provides the board with independent management audits of selected programs within Lane County government.
Laurie Trieger
Raised in Philadelphia, PA, Laurie has lived in District 3 since 1987. The mother of two adult children, she’s put down deep roots in Lane County and is now watching her twin grandsons grow up in this community she calls home. She was motivated to seek public office in part because of concern for the health and wellbeing of future generations. Laurie is committed to building a Lane County where all residents have equal opportunity to thrive and to ensuring Lane County is a safe, supportive place for everyone to live, work, and play. She brings to the Commission her lived experience as a mother, a former foster parent, low wage worker, nonprofit professional, active community volunteer, and an advocate fighting for better working conditions for women and better futures for families.
As a new parent Laurie utilized county programs like WIC, and also food stamps, to help keep nutritious food on the table; giving her firsthand experience as to the importance of county services and how much they help individuals and families meet their basic needs. Having worked many low wage service industry jobs prior to establishing her career in nonprofits, she understands the challenges faced by many in our community—what her Mother used to say was the struggle of “having too much month left at the end of the money.”
She is proud of the work she has done in her professional and volunteer roles; from initiatives as wide ranging as food and nutrition policy work, to reining in predatory pay-day lenders, to advocating for policies to end racial profiling, to securing funding for bike and pedestrian projects.
Laurie has also been a strong partner and ally to the labor movement with a body of work that includes managing the successful campaign to pass a city-wide sick time ordinance in Eugene in 2014 and leveraging that coalition to support passage of Oregon’s statewide paid sick time law. She has organized mothers and other caregivers and advocated for worker protections such as anti-wage theft laws and equal pay, and for bold policies such as paid family and medical leave, a higher minimum wage, retirement security for all, affordable childcare, and access to health care.
Using a public health equity approach as a framework for decision-making and community improvement Laurie focuses on prevention and interconnection in order to address our homelessness and housing crises, develop anti-racist policies and procedures at the County, address gender inequality, promote better health outcomes, rapidly respond to climate change, and ensure community resilience.
The breadth and depth of issues Laurie has worked on coupled with her lived experiences as a service recipient, volunteer, and administrator gives her unique insights into county programs and operations and their impact on our communities.
Professional History (2000-2020)
- FOOD for Lane County, Advocacy & Outreach Coordinator
- LCHAY (Lane Coalition for Healthy Active Youth), Executive Director
- NEDCO (Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation), LocalWorks Department Manager
- Family Forward Oregon and Family Forward Action, Regional Outreach Director
- Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Development Director
- Sponsors, Inc., Development & Communications Strategist
Governmental Experience (2010-2020)
- Oregon Health Authority’s Health Improvement Plan Work Group
- School District 4J Equity Committee
- City of Eugene Revenue Task Team
- Lane County Budget Committee
- Lane County Equity & Access Advisory Board
Community Volunteer Service (Sampling, 1990-present)
- Whiteaker Community Council
- United Way of Lane County
- Lane County Food Policy Council
- Project Homeless Connect
- Statewide Food Stamp Outreach Steering Committee
- Nonprofit Association of Oregon
- Emerge Oregon, Board of Directors
- Better Eugene-Springfield Transportation (BEST)
- Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon
- NARAL Pro-choice Oregon
- Egan Warming Centers
- Food for Lane County Board Advocacy Committee
- Meals on Wheels
Contact:
Phone: 541-682-3721 Email: laurie.trieger@lanecountyor.gov Website
Patt Farr
I was born and raised in Lane County. After serving in the Navy for 6 years, my wife Nita and I returned to Springfield to put down roots and raise a family. I started a commercial photography business, my wife went to Dental Hygiene school at Lane Community College and we volunteered in the community wherever we could. We have three grown children and four blossoming grandkids whom are the joy of our lives.
In 2008, we wanted to do more to invest in Springfield, so I convinced my wife to cash out our retirement and take the equity out of our house to purchase the Washburne building and what is now, the neighboring Iris Wine bar. That move was one integral part to the revitalization of downtown Springfield. Through creative partnerships and community building, we built a team of like-minded visionaries and have restored building after building, bringing jobs, housing and new hope to Springfield.
Our early efforts garnered the 2019 Business of the Year, 2019 Game Changer Award and the 2020 BEST Walkable Neighborhood. We also started the annual block party end-of-summer celebration which continues to fuel an unstoppable momentum in downtown Springfield that has become the talk of the county.
My time spent as a small business owner as well as a developer has given me a number of unique experiences which I bring to the Lane County Commission. I've seen firsthand the amazing things accomplished when people of diverse approaches come together to get things done. Government, by the people, has a huge role to play in making it possible for its citizens to pursue their dreams and to solve complex social issues.
Nita and I have also had the privilege of starting Three Sixteen Ministries International, a nonprofit that has helped build churches, orphanages, homes and infrastructure projects in Uganda as well as helping start several businesses for women. We worked to form an emergency food bank to help during the COVID-19 lockdowns, but is still working today continuing to feed over 100 needy families a month.
I look forward to working for the people of Springfield and all of Lane County. My priorities are public safety, economic development, mental health and the building relationships to help accomplish amazing things in our community. I'm committed to people being heard by county government at all levels, so it works for all of us.
Loveall for All, wasn’t simply a campaign slogan. It's a character promise. Please don’t hesitate contact me with an email or invitation for coffee or to an event. I also host frequent town halls for constituents, so watch my Facebook page for details.
Contact:
Phone: (541) 682-4203
Email: David Loveall@lanecountyor.gov
Heather Buch
Heather Buch was born and raised in Lane County and has spent her professional career running a small business to help people access and afford housing in Lane County. Heather pursued this career path because, as the daughter of a single, working mother growing up in Veneta, she learned firsthand the effects of unstable housing.
At the age of eight while her mother was at work, Heather read the classified sections of local newspapers, calling advertisers in a determined effort to find affordable, stable housing for her family. This vivid memory, along with her mother’s dedication and resilience, shaped the values and priorities Heather holds today. Heather knows that success in life begins with stable housing, and that’s why she works every day to find housing solutions for individuals and families throughout Lane County.
Heather attended International High School at Sheldon and after graduation studied at Seattle University while simultaneously working multiple jobs and practicing martial arts. She received her degree in business administration and then returned to Lane County to find a job.
After several years in retirement planning, she decided to open her own small business in commercial real estate and property management with a specialization in affordable housing. She continually grew that company and oversaw multimillion-dollar projects and assets.
Heather also spent several years working as the Special Projects Director for St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc, Lane County’s largest nonprofit human services organization, where she helped the agency work towards community-driven goals. She worked on many unique, innovative community-based projects and took a lead role in the nonprofit’s acquisition and rehabilitation of aging mobile home parks – a new approach and solution to the need for more affordable housing that the state and local governments are working to replicate throughout Oregon. Because of her ongoing relationship with the agency, Heather has declared a potential conflict of interest and will abstain from voting on any matters that pose an actual conflict*.
As the mother of an energetic young daughter and wife to a Merchant Mariner and U.S. Navy reservist, Heather is fully invested in our community, and excited to put her skills, experience and insights to work in the public sector.
Heather has been a member of the state’s Manufactured Housing Preservation Steering Committee, the Veterans’ Housing Project, the city of Eugene Rental Housing Department Advisory Committee, the Springfield Manufactured Home Park Collaborative, as co-chair of the Active Bethel Citizens Neighborhood Association and a member of the Beltline Facility Plan Stakeholder Advisory Committee.
(Note: Heather Buch’s last name is pronounced “Buck.”)
* Declaration (hyperlink)
Contact:
Phone: 541-682-4203 Email: Heather.BUCH@co.lane.or.us
Patt Farr
Personal Background: Pat Farr moved from Sheffield, England at age 10 to Tillamook County Oregon. He graduated from Tillamook High School in 1972 and moved to Eugene in 1973 to attend the University of Oregon. He met his wife Debi that year. They were married in 1975 and have three children, all graduates of Willamette High School: Patrick Jr. has a Master of Arts in Philosophy from University of Arizona and lives with his wife Yolanda in Tucson; Evan has a PhD in Government from University of Virginia and lives with his wife in Charlottesville and Hayley, having studied zoology at Oregon State University, lives in San Francisco. He served in the Oregon Army National Guard for six years. He was assigned to A, B and C Companies and Headquarters of the 2nd Battalion of the 162nd Regiment, 41st Brigade, 7th Light Infantry Division, US Army.
Professional Background:
- Merchandise Manager, Sales
- Manager, Human Resource
- Director, Jerry's Home
- Improvement Center
- General Manager, all in One
- True Value Hardware Stores General Manager, Gray's Garden Centers
- Executive Director, FOOD for Lane County
- Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Oregon Army National Guard
Civic and Community Service:
- Representative, Oregon House of Representatives, House District 14, 2003-4
- Eugene City Council, Ward 6, 1995-2003, 2011-2012
- Bethel School Board, 1993-1995
- Oregon Food Bank, Board of Directors
- Oregon Hunger Relief Task force
- Oregon Commission on Child Care
- Member, Oregon House Revenue Committee
- Member, Oregon Interim Joint Committee on Tax Reform Vice-Chair, Oregon House Education Committee
- Member, Lane County Human Services Commission
- Member, Intergovernmental Housing Policy Board
- SELCO Board of Directors
Special Interests and Concerns:
- Homelessness and housing
- Food security
- Youth and education
- Transportation infrastructure
- Land use
Contact:
Phone: 541-682-4203 Email: Pat.Farr@co.lane.or.us
Ryan Ceniga
Ryan Ceniga is a lifelong Oregon resident. He describes himself as “a blue collar dad with deep roots in West Lane County”. Ryan lives in the Junction City area with two kids in the public school system, where he serves on the Junction City School Board because he wants to make a difference in his community. He has always given back to his community with his involvement in service groups, including the Junction City Lions Club, the Junction City Athletics Board and as a coach for his kids’ sports through the years.
Ryan has always worked hard with his hands. He started working on local farms in high school and had a natural ability with mechanics. He earned his diesel mechanics diploma with an associate’s degree as a diesel tech. He worked for Guaranty RV, the City of Junction City and then with EWEB in their water department as a Utility Contractor. There he manages major infrastructure projects while working with multiple contractors simultaneously.
As a voice for rural lane county, Ryan’s mission is to protect rural families and small businesses. He gives public safety high priority, including the needed funding to support it. He is also very aware of the need to keep the Lane County budget under control to protect taxpayer pocketbooks.
Ryan is a people person. Relationships are important to him. He wants to always be accessible to all his constituents. Being willing to find answers and solve problems, His hands-on approach will be a huge benefit to his constituents.
“Being honored with the confidence of the voters of my district is a huge honor, but an even bigger responsibility. I have a steep learning curve. I will work hard to continue to earn my fellow West Lane County residents’ respect. My door will always be open to all as I serve as West Lane County Commissioner”, says Ceniga.
Contact:
Phone: 541-682-4203
Email: Ryan.Ceniga@lanecountyor.gov
