Benton County Appoints Jesse Ott as Director of Natural Areas, Parks & Events

Benton County is pleased to announce that Jesse Ott has been officially appointed as Director of Natural Areas, Parks & Events (NAPE), effective January 2025.

Ott has served as the Interim Director of NAPE since February 2024. He joined Benton County as the Deputy Director of Natural Areas, Parks & Events in April 2021. Under his direction, NAPE manages a dozen parks and recreation sites in the County, including campgrounds, picnic areas and trails. The department is also responsible for the Fort Hoskins historic site, Crystal Lake Cemetery, Benton County Event Center & Fairgrounds, and the Benton Oaks RV Park.

In addition to maintenance, conservation and preservation of natural areas and built structures, NAPE organizes several annual events and operates an outdoor education and recreation program that prioritizes rural and underserved youth and their families. The biggest event, held every summer, is the Benton County Fair & Rodeo, which set attendance records in 2024.

“Jesse Ott has the perfect combination of skills for the role of NAPE director,” says County Administrator Rachel McEneny. “He brings a deep knowledge and enthusiasm for natural resource management, demonstrated strong people management and leadership skills, and a passion for sharing what he loves by making natural areas and historic sites available and accessible to everyone in the community.”

Ott has been a daily park and trail user for most of his life, so much so that he embarked on a career in park maintenance and management. Sharing his love of outdoor recreation with his daughter helps inspire him to look for new ways to encourage young people to explore and experience the outdoors.

Ott holds a degree in Organizational Leadership from Charter Oak College in New Britain, Conn. He serves on the board of the Alliance for Recreation and Natural Areas (AFRANA) and is president-elect of the Counties and Outdoors Section of the Oregon Recreation and Parks Association. He lives in Corvallis with his family.

IMAGE: NAPE Director Jesse Ott (right) with Fairgrounds Foreman Doug Covey in the Benton County Fairground Floral Courtyard.