September 22, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Amelia Wallace
Jensen Strategies, LLC
503-477-5615
The Yachats City Council of Yachats, Oregon has designated three finalist candidates for the position of City Manager: Benjamin Burgener, Jeanne Colvin, and Bobbi Price.
Yachats community members are invited to meet the finalists and participate in small roundtable group conversations the evening of Monday, October 9th from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at Yachats Commons Building- Multipurpose Room, 441 Hwy 101 N, Yachats, OR 97498. Please contact Emily Rehder at Jensen Strategies (emily@jensenstrategies.com) with questions or for language or accessibility accommodations.
Benjamin Burgener is currently the City Manager for the City of Stanfield, Oregon. Mr. Burgener has also served as City Administrator for the City of Ada, MN, and in other state governments as the Finance Manager and Administrative Services Manager for the State of Utah Department of Transportation. He also has experience working in the private sector, serving in roles such as the Director of Inside Sales for CirclePix, LLC, the National Business and Government Account Manager for Emergency Essentials, and as a Market Area Manager for Wells Fargo Bank. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management from Brigham Young University. He is also a current member of ICMA and OCCMA, the international organization and Oregon affiliate chapter of the International City/County Managers Association. Mr. Burgener said, “I'm excited to meet with the wonderful community of Yachats and explore this great opportunity further.”
Jeanne Colvin is the current Regional Coordinator/Liaison for the Washington State Department of Health. Ms. Colvin has been in multiple roles with the Office of Governor Jay Inslee, including service as the Director of Constituent Services (a division of the Governor’s communications team) and as Executive Correspondence Manager during the COVID-19 pandemic. In her career, she has also served as a caseworker, consultant, as well as Program Administrator State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup Director for the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth, and Families. She holds a Master's in Sociology from Arizona State University, a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Central Washington University and has served as adjunct Sociology Faculty for Rio Salado College. Ms. Colvin said, “I am honored to be selected as a finalist for the City Manager position, a critical role serving and supporting the Yachats community, City Council, and staff to thrive and flourish.”
Bobbi Price is currently the Executive Director for the Yachats Area Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Price also has experience leading community festivals and promoting tourism through her work as the Tourism Development and Festival Manager for the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce. She also previously served the City of Newport Parks and Recreation as a Program Coordinator overseeing youth programs and supporting grant work to improve local parks. Ms. Price said, “I am passionate about Yachats, and I am really excited about continuing to work and serve the community in whichever capacity that ends up being.”