LOC Staff
LOC's staff are dedicated to providing the services and programs that support our mission.
Executive Director
Member and Administrative Services

Christy S. Wurster, Operations & Member Engagement Director
Manages the internal services of the LOC and provides oversight to member services.
cwurster@orcities.org

Debi Higgins, Administrative Assistant
Provides administrative support to members and helps coordinate all member services offered through LOC in addition to providing internal administrative support.
dhiggins@orcities.org

Kelly Richardson, Project Coordinator - Affiliates
Serves as the primary staff liaison to Oregon City/County Management Association (OCCMA) and Oregon Mayors Association (OMA). Provides administrative support to the LOC Board of Directors and LOC Foundation.
krichardson@orcities.org

Lisa Trevino, Program Manager
Manages LOC training and events, the Local Government Management Certificate (LGMC) program, and the member database.
ltrevino@orcities.org
Finance

Jamie Johnson-Davis, Finance Director
Performs accounting, financial reporting, financial analysis and day-to-day financial operations of LOC.
jjohnson-davis@orcities.org
Communications

Kevin Toon, Communications Director
Manages LOC's communications and marketing, including media and public relations, publications, social media, and sponsorship and vendor programs.
ktoon@orcities.org

Denise Nanke, Communications Specialist
Produces LOC's City Focus podcast, and provides administrative support for the department.
dnanke@orcities.org

Julie Oke, Graphic Designer
Responsible for the design of LOC print and digital communications, including Local Focus and LOC Bulletin, and executes LOC’s digital presence including social media and website content.
jmoke@orcities.org
Intergovernmental Relations

Jim McCauley, Legislative Director
Oversight of League's legislative program; advocacy issue area: transportation
jmccauley@orcities.org

Mark Gharst, Lobbyist
Advocacy issue areas: finance and taxation, economic development
mgharst@orcities.org

Jenna Jones, Legislative Analyst
Legislative research, monitoring and tracking; correspondence and reports
Advocacy issue areas: telecommunications, broadband and cable
jjones@orcities.org

Tracy Rutten, Lobbyist
Advocacy issue area: water, wastewater, environment and natural resources, energy, public contracting
trutten@orcities.org

Scott Winkels, Lobbyist
Advocacy issue areas: ethics, public safety, community corrections, courts, personnel, PERS, collective bargaining
swinkels@orcities.org
Legal Research

Patty Mulvihill, General Counsel
Provides in-house general counsel and oversees LOC's legal services, including the member inquiry program, legislative/legal research, educational publications, and training on municipal best practices.
pmulvihill@orcities.org

Jayme Hafner, Assistant General Counsel
Assists with the member inquiry program, legislative/legal research, educational publications, and training on municipal best practices.
jhafner@orcities.org

Colton Totland, Honors Attorney
Assists with the member inquiry program, educational publications, and the Pilot Legal Program in Eastern Oregon.
ctotland@orcities.org