Administration Home
The Administrative Services Department provides general oversight and direction to the county organization as a whole, both in terms of planning for the county’s long-term financial and organizational health and managing the day-to-day operation of one of Central Oregon’s largest employers.
The Administrative Services Department works with the Board of Commissioners to formulate County policies and goals. The department also implements and communicates these policies and goals to employees. Other duties include evaluating program effectiveness, providing internal audits, communication and support for all County programs and services through administrative policy.
County Administrator - Nick Lelack
nick.lelack@deschutes.org
Nick Lelack was hired as Deschutes County Administrator in September 2021.
Nick previously served as the Deschutes County Community Development Director. He has masters degrees in Public Administration and Community and Regional Planning from the University of Oregon and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
Previously, Nick served as Deschutes County's Planning Director and the City of Redmond Community Development and Planning Director. He has a variety of other experience that spans the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Deputy County Administrator - Erik Kropp
Erik Kropp was hired as the Deputy County Administrator for Deschutes County in November 2007.
Prior to joining Deschutes County, Erik spent 13 years with the City of Phoenix, Arizona in various departments including budgeting, youth and education, parks and recreation, personnel, and public works.
Erik has a Master of Science degree in Policy Analysis from Penn State and a BA in Political Science from the University of California, Davis.
Deputy County Administrator - Whitney Hale
Whitney Hale was hired as Deputy County Administrator in October 2021.
She joined Deschutes County in 2015 and has served as the County’s Communications Director and Public Information Officer. She has a variety of other experience that spans the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Whitney has a master’s degree in Communication from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Oregon.
