Chrissy Lucas is new Linn County Development Disabilities director
ALBANY — Chrissy Cliburn is the new director of the Linn County Public Health’s Development Disabilities Department, but she isn’t new to the department.
She has a head for figures and a heart for helping others, which she learned when working as financial support staff and services coordinator within the department from 2006 to 2012, when she accepted a similar position in Benton County.
Cliburn, 44, was born in Jackson, Mississippi, but moved with her family to Oregon when she was just one year old. She graduated from West Albany High School in 1995 and earned her degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance and a minor in economics from Oregon State in 2006.
“I really enjoy working with figures, but I also enjoy working with people, helping people,” Cliburn said.
She found during her original tenure with Linn County, that staff members would ask her financial questions relating to clients.
“My focus began to shift toward the more social work side of the job,” Cliburn said. “It’s really rewarding.”
Cliburn said she was approached by friends who suggested she apply for the Linn County job.
She was cautious at first, but decided she wanted to help Linn County residents since she lives in Lebanon.
Cliburn said there are about 40 staff members in the Development Disabilities Department.
“My goal is to help create an inviting work environment where people can do their best work, which is to serve our communities and our clients,” she said.
Cliburn and her partner, Micah, live in Lebanon.
She has two grown children, Bart and Sidney Hutchison and two grandchildren, Evelyn, 7, and Ellie, 15 months.
She enjoys reading, playing piano and being with family.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to grow our program and to serve our communities,” Cliburn said.
Public Health Director Todd Noble said he is “thrilled to welcome Chrissy back to Linn County in her new role as our Development Disabilities manager.”
Noble called Cliburn a “person of integrity, a natural problem solver and an advocate for some of the most vulnerable citizens in our community.”
“She leads by example and does not hesitate to roll up her sleeves and tackle any problem,” Noble said. “She has outstanding people skills and as a result I have full confidence in her abilities as a dedicated public servant to lead the DD program to its full potential and guarantee quality services to our Linn County community. I could not be happier to welcome her to this new role.”
Media contact: Alex Paul, Linn County Communications Officer, 541-967-3825 or email apaula@co.linn.or.us.
