Government and public sector
10 COOs in government
These ten government COOs hold or have held the chief operating officer role in county, city or state government or at a public utility. Readers can learn from them how public-sector operations leaders coordinate departments, budgets and services for residents.
Professionals to explore
01—10Alex Mattson Kotze
LinkedInExperience: Deputy County Manager / Chief Operating Officer (COO) · Ramsey County
Deputy County Manager / Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Ramsey County since December 2025, with a Chief Financial Officer / Finance Director role at Ramsey County also listed from that date. Former Chief Financial Officer at Ramsey County (2020–2025) and Chief Financial Officer - Department of Human Services at the State of Minnesota (2013–2020).
Aram Benyamin
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Chief Operating Officer at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power since November 2022, which the profile describes as the nation's largest publicly-owned utility. Former Chief Executive Officer at Colorado Springs Utilities (2018–2022), and former Senior Assistant General Manager - Head of Power System (2008–2015) and Field Engineer (1980–2007) at LADWP.
Ben Jonsson
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · City of St. Louis
Chief Operating Officer at the City of St. Louis since 2025, responsible for city operations under Mayor Cara Spencer, overseeing cross-departmental execution and managing city services, public safety and resources. Former Chief of Staff, Air Mobility Command (2023–2025), Vice Superintendent, US Air Force Academy (2022–2023) and Wing Commander, MacDill Air Force Base (2020–2022) in the United States Air Force.
Deanna Venker, PE
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · St. Louis County
Chief Operating Officer at St. Louis County since 2023, leading planning and operations across St. Louis County government as a member of the Executive Leadership Team. Former Chief Administrative Officer (2020–2023) and Director Of Transportation and Public Works (2019–2020) at St. Louis County, and former Chief Operating Officer and Commissioner of Traffic at the City of St. Louis (both 2015–2019).
Erick Scheminske
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · State of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Chief Operating Officer at the State of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment since 2021, leading CDPHE's budget, finance/accounting, business technology and facilities management operations. Former Chief Financial Officer Budget Director at the same department (2002–2011), Director of Consulting at the State of Colorado, Office of State Planning and Budgeting (2017–2019) and Deputy Director at CGI (2011–2017).
Hyeok Kim
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · King County, WA
Chief Operating Officer at King County, WA since 2026, a C-Level role in General Management. Former Principal at Insa Consulting, LLC (2020–2026), Deputy Mayor at the City of Seattle (2014–2017), Executive Director at InterIm Community Development Association (2008–2013) and Senior Policy Analyst at the House Democratic Caucus, Washington State Legislature (2004–2008).
Joe Nicchitta
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office
Chief Operating Officer at the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office since 2020. Former Director at the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (2018–2020), Cannabis Management Officer at the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office (2016–2018) and Deputy County Counsel at the Office of County Counsel, Los Angeles County (2012–2016).
Joshua Carr
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · Office of the New York State Attorney General
Chief Operating Officer at the Office of the New York State Attorney General since June 2019. Former Acting Chief Operating Officer (January–June 2019), Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Director of Strategic Initiatives (2015–2019) and Operations Manager, Charities Bureau (2012–2015) at the Office of the New York State Attorney General.
Meghan Haggerty
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · MassDOT
Chief Operating Officer at MassDOT since February 2023. Former Chief Administrative Officer, Highway Division (2021–2023) and Chief Of Staff, Highway Division (2017–2021) at MassDOT, and Director of Operations, Mayor's Office of Economic Development at the City of Boston (2015–2017).
Steve Rutherford
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer · Ada County, Idaho
Chief Operating Officer at Ada County, Idaho since 2019, a role responsible for helping the 14 departments of Ada County deliver services to citizens efficiently and effectively, and for providing advice and assistance. Former Ada County Prosecutor, Civil at the Ada County Prosecutor's Office (2018–2019) and Chief Deputy City Attorney at the City of Boise (1999–2016).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's level of government and type of organization to your question, since a county executive office, a state agency and a public utility run on different rules and budgets. For questions about building a COO office from scratch, favor someone who has held deputy or acting roles on the way to the top job.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How does a government COO set priorities across departments that report to different elected officials?
- 02What performance measures work best for tracking service delivery in city or county operations?
- 03How should a public agency approach technology and facilities upgrades when budgets are fixed by the legislative calendar?
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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