Ann Lininger

Ann Lininger, program member in the first class of Emerge candidates in Oregon, was appointed to the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners in 2009.   She represents 380,000 residents in jurisdiction that is a miniature version of Oregon in terms of politics and demographics.

Before joining the County, Lininger served as Director for Program-related Investing at the Meyer Memorial Trust, a regional foundation.  In that role she oversaw $45 million in charitable grants and investments.  She also led the foundation's Affordable Housing Initiative.

After Hillary Clinton lost the Democratic primary, Lininger wanted to help women move successfully into top leadership roles.  She convened a group of 30 professionally accomplished friends for a conversation.  The women decided to work together to deepen Oregon's base of women leaders, strengthen the state, and help one another achieve big goals.  In the process, Lininger decided to seek government office.  Serendipitously, the Board of County Commissioners needed to fill two seats by appointment.  Lininger applied and she received the second appointment.  "I feel like I was made to do this work, and I love it," said Lininger.  "We are building opportunity here in Clackamas County - opportunity for a vibrant, prosperous, and sustainable future."

Lininger serves as Board of County Commissioners' liaison to the Clackamas County Housing Authority, the Department of Human Services, the Budget Committee, the Audit Committee, and the county's arts and culture programs.  Lininger plays a lead role in the county's federal stimulus response and economic development efforts.

In her first year of service, Lininger has racked up some major accomplishments.  They include:

• Jump starting development of a stalled senior housing project, completion of which will create 35 construction jobs and 84 affordable apartments.
• Developing a program to improve the energy efficiency of county-owned buildings, which will create construction jobs, decrease the county's carbon footprint, and reduce building operating costs.
• Overseeing redesign of the county's department of human services so the county can serve vulnerable people well even in the face of declining resources.
• Increasing and systematizing the board's oversight of county finances through formation of internal budget and audit committees, on which she serves.

Ann is working to keep her seat in the May 2010 election. Ann focuses her work on four key priorities:  (1) Connecting people with good jobs, (2) Helping families and seniors thrive, (3) Protecting important natural areas, and (4) Using public resources wisely.

A project finance lawyer by training, Lininger earned her B.A. from Yale and her J.D. from New York University.  Lininger is incoming president of the Oregon Law Foundation.  She is a board member for Oregon's largest nonprofit bank, Network for Oregon Affordable Housing.

In January of 2009, Ann was appointed as Clackamas County Commissioner. She announced her official candidacy September 23!