Green County has selected its first county administrator, with the County Board of Supervisors confirming Nicholas Owen to the newly created leadership role during its Feb. 10 meeting.
The appointment marks a significant step in the county’s transition to a county administrator form of government, where the position will serve as the chief administrative officer overseeing day-to-day operations and implementing board policies.
County Board Chairperson Jerry Guth announced the decision, noting Owen emerged from a competitive field of 39 applicants following what officials described as a thorough recruitment and assessment process. The search, led by the county’s Personnel and Labor Relations Committee, included interviews, stakeholder input, and a two-day final evaluation earlier this month.
Owen brings more than 20 years of local government experience to the role. He has served as village administrator in Mount Horeb since 2015, managing a $27 million annual budget and overseeing major capital projects. Before that, he held the same position in New Glarus from 2006 to 2015.
He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point.
Guth said the board is confident Owen’s leadership style and experience align with the county’s priorities as it moves forward under the new structure.
The administrator position was created as part of broader organizational changes aimed at strengthening coordination across departments and improving overall operations.
Green County officials said Owen is expected to begin his new role later this spring, pending completion of standard pre-employment requirements.