Effective Public Governance Boards
Time: Noon to 1:15 pm
Venue: WOW Hall
291 West 8th
Eugene, Oregon
97401
- Join the Livestream
- YouTube
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We will meet at the WOW Hall, 291 W 8th. Learn more: https://wowhall.org/about-us/. Walk, ride a bike or take the bus. You may park on the street or in the parking lot of FOOD for Lane County's Dining Room, across 8th from the WOW Hall. A freewill donation acknowledging the Dining Room's generosity may be made at the meeting.
Lunch will be available for $15.
Topic:
In recent years, the residents of Lane County have witnessed what some have perceived to be significant errors of governance – events that have underscored the importance of transparency, accountability, and effective leadership in public decision-making. City Club of Eugene is hosting a timely program, “Effective Public Governance Boards,” focused on a discussion of the principles of effective public board governance.
This program will examine the roles, responsibilities, and ethical obligations of public governing boards, along with common pitfalls that can undermine effective governance. Panelists will share practical insights drawn from real-world experience and discuss strategies for improving board culture, decision-making, and transparency.
The panel features John Brown, Eugene Water & Electric Board Commissioner for Wards 4 and 5; Randy Groves, Eugene City Councilor for Ward 8; and Emielle Nischik, Executive Director of the Oregon School Boards Association. Together, they bring perspectives from utilities, municipal government, and education governance.
The forum will include an opportunity for audience questions, continuing City Club of Eugene’s tradition of informed, civil discussion on public issues of importance to the community.
Speakers
Title: Board President
Organization: Eugene Water & Electric Board
Website: https://www.eweb.org/your-public-utility/board-of-commissioners/meet-your-commissioners/john-brown
Biography:
Biography provided by the speaker and edited for length/proofreading
John H. Brown has been on the EWEB board representing Wards 4 and 5 since 2007. Since 2005, he has been a principal with Evans, Elder, Brown & Seubert, a commercial real estate brokerage. He served in the US Army, with a tour of duty in Vietnam. John has worked for various local entities including Georgia Pacific, Texaco, Triangle C Meat Company, and UPS. In 1990, John formed Duncan & Brown, a local real estate appraisal company, and later transitioned to Evans, Elder Brown & Seubert. John’s passion is the outdoors, including fishing and related outdoor activities. He is dedicated to protecting the local environment and has worked to ensure clean waterways. He is a native Oregonian, born in Eugene.
Title: City Councilor
Organization: City of Eugene
Website: https://www.eugene-or.gov/4629/Randy-Groves
Biography:
Biography provided by the speaker and edited for length/proofreading
Randy Groves is a city councilor serving in his second term. He also serves on a number of boards, commissions, and committees, and during his first term in office held both the Council President and Vice President seats.
Prior to being elected to the Eugene City Council in 2020, Councilor Groves served over 36 years with the Eugene and Eugene Springfield fire departments, where he was Chief of Department during his last ten years.
Following his retirement in 2016 and before becoming a city councilor, he worked as a consultant with Emergency Services Consulting International (ESCI). This gave him an opportunity to help other organizations by providing in-depth analysis of other fire service models. Groves earned a BS in Planning, Public Policy and Management from the University of Oregon and he is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s four-year Executive Fire Officers Program.
Title: Executive Director
Organization: Oregon School Boards Association
Website: https://www.osba.org/our-team/emielle-nischik/
Biography:
Biography provided by the speaker and edited for length/proofreading
Emielle Nischik is the Executive Director of the Oregon School Boards Association. She leads statewide governance support, member services, advocacy, and the PACE insurance program serving Oregon’s public education systems. With nearly 20 years of leadership experience across the nonprofit, education, and corporate sectors, she is known for strengthening systems, building high-performing teams and advancing equitable outcomes for students. She earned a Master of Public Administration from Portland State University and is a proud product of Oregon’s public schools in Mapleton and Eugene.
