Benton County’s Chief Financial Officer Rick Crager promoted to Assistant County Administrator

Benton County has announced the promotion of Rick Crager as the new Assistant County Administrator.

“Rick has demonstrated a proven track record in financial management and bringing teams together. He has been an invaluable addition to our leadership team,” said Benton County Administrator Rachel McEneny. “After working closely with Rick, it was an obvious choice.”

Crager has served as the County’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since 2021 and served as interim County Administrator in September 2023. As CFO, Crager shepherded Benton County’s more than $485 million 2023-25 Biennium budget that passed in May of 2023. In that very same year, the County received a credit upgrade from Moody’s Investor Services.

Before joining Benton County, he dedicated over three decades to public service with the State of Oregon. His statewide leadership roles in finance and policy spanned various sectors including housing, education, transportation, and public safety, demonstrating his versatility and depth of expertise. Crager was also the former Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Information Technology for the Oregon Department of Education. In that role he collaborated closely with school districts across the state, overseeing the allocation and administration of crucial resources for Oregon’s schools. 

Crager is a lifelong Oregonian, and a graduate of Linfield College with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a special focus in Finance.

“Rick’s ability to foster relationships, drive strategic projects, and his long-term knowledge of Oregon will help us navigate through our challenges effectively,” McEneny said.

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please call Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or email pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov