PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — More than a year after the previous director of Multnomah County’s Homeless Services Department exited the role, officials have announced who is set to take over.

On Thursday, County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson named Nathaniel VerGow as the department’s next leader. He will serve as director, while Anna Plumb — who was tapped as interim director amid predecessor Dan Field’s retirement — will remain with the department as deputy director.

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According to county officials, VerGow was tapped as department leader out of more than 100 candidates. He most recently worked as the deputy chief program officer of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, where he was credited with managing hundreds of staff and spearheading a redesign of the agency’s programs and systems.

In addition to working with LAHSA, the county noted VerGow offers front-line experience as a previous case manager, housing and outreach manager, and director of a behavioral health project.

“Multnomah County’s vision of integrating homeless services with affordable housing aligns closely with my values and experience,” VerGow said in a statement.

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Although the chair has selected VerGow for the role, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners must accept his appointment. If approved, he is expected to take over as director on May 4.

“Helping people leave homelessness for housing — and preventing homelessness in the first place — are core to the County’s values,” Vega Pederson said. And Nathaniel understands that delivering on that vision will require the operational excellence, management experience, coordination, and front-line perspective he’s fostered throughout his career.”

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