Executive director hired

Devin Thompson has been selected as the executive director for the newly formed McKenzie Valley Long-Term Recovery Group. Thompson started his new position on September 1.

“We are so pleased to welcome Devin as the executive director,” said Long-Term Recovery Group Board Treasurer Marilyn Cross. “His commitment to helping the McKenzie community has been apparent since he began coordinating the Vida Relief Center for fire survivors last fall. Devin has the heart and the experience we need to help the McKenzie Valley Long-Term Recovery Group support wildfire survivors.”

The McKenzie Valley Long-Term Recovery Group (MVLTRG) is made up of representatives from faith-based, non-profit, government, business and other organizations working to assist people and families as they recover from the Holiday Farm Fire.

The executive director is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organization, including building the MVLTRG’s organizational structure, recruiting staff and volunteers, setting the priorities and creating a work plan to achieve the wildfire recovery support goals set by the governing board, representing the needs of McKenzie Valley residents to other agencies or service providers, and more.

Thompson brings extensive non-profit experience to the role. He has served as a board member for Northwest Youth Corps since 2016 and volunteered countless hours for McKenzie River Trust, Friends of Fish Lane, McKenzie Community Development Corporation and Friends of Awbrey Park. Professionally, Thompson served as a project manager and technical specialist in research and laboratory environments. He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1990 to 1994.

Thompson previously served as a board member on the MVLTRG; however, he stepped away from that role in order to apply for the executive director position.