Profiles in Service - Oct. 15, 2018

Craig Pope

Board Member
Commissioner, Polk County, Ore.

Number of years involved in NACo: 7

Years in public service: 40, but seven as a commissioner.   

Occupation: County commissioner

Education: Some college in mechanical engineering 

The hardest thing I’ve ever done is: Leave the family farm and my parents without the help they needed 32 years ago during hard times.       

Three people (living or dead) I’d invite to dinner are: My late grandfather Bud, my father and my beautiful wife.  

A dream I have is to: Leave a legacy of contribution to community that my family can be proud of.   

You’d be surprised to learn that I: Am pretty artsy. I like to create, build and re-purpose.    

The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done was: Sell off my 23-year-old business after getting elected county commissioner.   

My favorite way to relax is to: Lounge in my boat on a lake in the summer or ride a mountain sled in the powder of the Cascade Mountains in the winter.  

I’m most proud of: My amazing children and the families they have built.  

Every morning I read: News on Twitter feeds.     

My favorite meal is: Baked potatoes or eggs and bacon.   

My pet peeve is: Rude drivers.      

My motto is: Demonstrate good behavior to those around you, especially your children, if you expect them to demonstrate good behavior to you and others.     

The last book I read was: Locker Nine

My favorite movie is: Guardians of the Galaxy 

My favorite music is:  ’70s rock. 

My favorite U.S. president is: John F. Kennedy. 

My county is a member of NACo because: I see the value in collaboration with my peers across the nation and in finding common ground on issues where we can collectively make a difference as a larger voice.