Cathy Clark
Cathy Clark and her husband Kevin have made Keizer their home since 1989. Cathy does consulting for non-profit boards and homeschool students. She retired from the Oregon Department of Aviation in 2023. Kevin is now retired after a 42 year career in the fire service. He was at Marion County Fire District #1 for 30 years and then served at West Valley Fire District, retiring as Chief.
Cathy is originally from Los Angeles, California and graduated from Palos Verdes High School. At the University of California, Davis, she completed a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major of Biology and Wildlife Biology. She then earned a Master of Science degree in Biology from Kansas State University. Upon graduation, she and her dog, Heidi, moved to Corvallis for a job at Oregon State University. Cathy and Kevin met at church soon after she moved to Oregon and were married a year later. For 20 years, she was a home educator for their four children and ran her own business as a math and science tutor and home school consultant.
Cathy has been an active volunteer in the Keizer community since their children were young, teaching Sunday school and serving on the Keizer Indoor Park board. She became involved in city government in the late 1990’s through the Back Yard Burn Committee and Community Policing. In 2002, she was appointed to the Budget Committee. In 2006, she was elected to City Council Position #4 and re-elected in 2010, working primarily on local, regional and state transportation projects, planning and policy issues.
In 2015, Cathy was elected as Keizer’s 6th Mayor. Her priorities focus on stable, responsive, and financially responsible city services our community members can rely on. Keizer is a recognized leader in our region because of how we work together, innovate, and are creatively practical in getting things done.
“In Keizer, Pride, Spirit and Volunteerism is more than our motto; it is our way of life.” #keizershowsup
You can reach Cathy at ClarkC@keizerOR.gov or on Facebook at Mayor Cathy Clark.
Current Committee Assignments
- Budget (since 2002) and Long Range Planning Task Force
- Personnel Policy Committee
- SKATS (Salem Keizer Area Transportation Study) - Chair since 2012
- MWACT (Mid-Willamette Area Commission on Transportation) - Vice-Chair since 2008
- Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance Board (Marion/Polk Continuum of Care)(chair 2020-2022)
- OMPOC (Oregon Municipal Planning Organization Consortium) as SKATS representative (vice-chair 2012-2016)
- Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments Board of Directors (chair 2017-2019) and Legislative Committee (2023 to present)
- SEDCOR Board of Directors
- League of Oregon Cities Foundation Board of Directors, since 2019
- League of Oregon Cities Community and Economic Development Policy Committee, chair 2024
Work Experience:
Administrative staff for various state agencies: 2013-2023
Customer service: pool & spa parts and service: 2006 – 2007
Home school educator, tutor and consultant: 1991 – 2016
Oregon State University, Research Assistant: School of Veterinary Medicine 1981 – 1985, Zoology Department 1986.
Other Government Experience and Council Assignments:
- Council appointments: Economic Development Commission, Council President 2011-2012; Wallace House Bicentennial; Keizer 23 TV Advisory Committee, Iris Festival Council city liaison, KFEST; Chemawa Interchange Area Management Plan stakeholders committee
- City Task Forces: Keizer Little League Long Range Planning, Transportation System Plan, vice-chair; Events and Festivals, chair; Amphitheater, chair; Summer Concert Series, chair; Committee Review; Economic Opportunities Analysis; Keizer 23 TV
- League of Oregon Cities, Board of Directors, 2016-2018; LOC policy committees since 2014
- Salem River Crossing EIS - Oversight Team, 2007 to 2018
- Mid-Willamette Homeless Initiative Task Force co-chair 2016-2017; Development Committee chair 2017-2020
- Other community involvement: Volunteer Coordinating Committee, Audit Committee, EVAK (Emergency Volunteers Assisting Keizer), CCTV Board of Directors, Community Policing Committee
