07/28/2026
Kevin Dean knew coming into the executive director position at Oswego County Opportunities (OCO), he was going to have some really big shoes to fill. He feels up to the task. OCO is one of the top ten employers in the county, employing between 500 and 600 people over its more than 50 programs. Prior to coming to OCO, Dean spent over 2 decades with the U.S. Agency for International Development. During his international career he managed large development and humanitarian programs that address international conflict, elections integrity, free media, youth empowerment, health care, food security, economic development, governance, education and community resilience.
Dean feels that in addition to addressing the current ongoing needs of our overall community, there are more issues that need to be focused on. Childcare and housing are at the top of that list. Dean also emphasized the issue of people remaining in poverty and illustrated how “transformational assistance” can address this issue at a minimum cost. For instance, providing a person with a monthly gasoline card can allow that person to drive to work or to a grocery store can provide security to improve their situation. In other words, that small monetary investment has a multiplier effect.
Dean challenged all of us to get involved and to advocate for causes important to us. By doing this we can work together to address our own needs and those of our neighbors. This message reflects Rotary’s motto of “service above self.”
