The Aurora City Council voted unanimously at its Tuesday, August 11 meeting to hire Stuart Rodgers as the city’s next Recorder.
Current City Recorder W. Scott Jorgensen announced last month that he is leaving to accept the position of city administrator for Rainier starting Sept. 8.
Originally from Chula Vista, Calif., Rodgers moved to the small Oregon town of Jefferson and worked on a potato farm during summer vacations. This experience helped him learn Spanish and prepare for a two-year service abroad in Chile.
Upon returning from South America, he focused on economics at Chemeketa Community College, transferred to Brigham Young University for a degree in political science, and then returned home to Oregon to obtain a master’s degree in public administration from Portland State University.
Rodgers got his start in local government through a management internship at the south coast city of Brookings and has completed economic development projects for the cities of Albany and Payson, Utah.
Through a variety of small business marketing ventures, his own buy-sell-trade operation and work for a Salem-based mortuary transport service, Rodgers relates well to business owners and the challenges they face. Most recently, he managed the Woodburn Area Chamber of Commerce, helping to grow the business association during a period of rebuilding.
Outside of work, Rodgers enjoys water sports and road trip adventures across Oregon and loves to spend time with family based in the Willamette Valley.
“The city is very fortunate to have found such a qualified individual to fill the position,” Mayor Brian Asher said. “We are all looking forward to working together for the betterment of our city.”
Rodgers is scheduled to start with the City of Aurora on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Residents are invited to stop by City Hall to introduce themselves, or find him out and about connecting with Aurora residents and businesses.
