The Clackamas ESD Board of Directors unanimously voted Nov. 20 to appoint Rick Larson of West Linn to fill an upcoming board vacancy.
On Dec. 1, Larson will begin representing Zone 3 on the board. His service area covers the Lake Oswego School District and portions of the West Linn-Wilsonville School District.
Larson will complete the unexpired term of Greg McKenzie, who has represented Zone 3 on the board since 2009. McKenzie, the current board chair, is resigning his position Dec. 1 due to a relocation outside Clackamas County. The current Zone 3 term ends June 30, 2025.
Larson retired in 2021 after a 40-year career in education business operations and fiscal management. A resident of West Linn for 28 years, he previously served as chief financial officer for the Centennial School District, as well as interim operations director for the Oregon City School District. He is a certified public accountant and Oregon municipal auditor. Prior to assuming his leadership roles in school districts, he spent several years as an audit manager for Pauly, Rogers Accounting, conducting financial audits for multiple school districts and education service districts.
“I’ve spent over four decades working to guide and improve education in Oregon, and I’m enthused about the opportunity to contribute my knowledge and experience to the ESD’s mission,” Larson said.
Prior to the vote to appoint Larson to the board, board members and Superintendent Larry Didway honored McKenzie for his 15 years of service. McKenzie practiced law in Clackamas County for 25 years, and more recently has worked as a leadership trainer and executive search consultant. He also previously served for eight years on the West Linn-Wilsonville School Board of Directors.
Clackamas ESD board members praised him for his lengthy service to Clackamas ESD.
“You have enriched the culture of this board and this agency,” said Vice Chair Linda Brown.
