Looking Glass

About Us

Chief Executive Officer

CRAIG OPPERMAN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

“There are many challenges and opportunities ahead. I look forward to leading Looking Glass in continually improving and increasing successful responses to the needs of children, youth and families in our community.”

In the fall of 2003, Looking Glass Youth and Family Services, the largest provider of non-profit services in Lane County, began a national search for our new Chief Executive Officer. The search was completed in March of 2004 with the hiring of Craig Opperman. Opperman was selected from a competitive group of applicants hailing from nine states and two foreign countries. His passion for children, dynamic background, commitment and desire to lead the organization in its next phase of development were a few of the compelling reasons he was hired. Six of the sixty-two individuals who applied were interviewed and two invited back for final interviews. Opperman began work June 1, 2004.

Opperman has 24 years of experience in social services. He spent the first part of his career providing direct care to children and families in a variety of roles ranging from Crisis Counselor, Child Care Worker, Family Therapist and Clinical Supervisor. Most recently, his work experience reflects various administrative roles from Program Development and Direction to Policy Development and Political and Community Advocacy. Opperman has a successful track record pursuing and receiving both public and private funds.

Using lessons learned from the children and families served earlier in his social service work, Opperman provided visionary solutions to issues faced by vulnerable families. He has a track record of successfully launching a number of innovative programs. The most recent of these occurred in January 2003 when Opperman, along with local elected officials, opened the Multnomah County Children's Receiving Center. This program offers a new way of providing protective shelter to abused and neglected children. It is the only program of its type in the Northwest.

Opperman was drawn to Looking Glass because it is an agency that has continued to “grow, change and improve.” He brings to the organization his unique ability to think broadly, cross systems (such as juvenile justice, child welfare, education, mental health) and bring together diverse groups to achieve successful outcomes. Opperman is a highly-skilled businessman with a big heart. As Chairperson of the Looking Glass Board in 2004, Stephanie Connor stated, Craig was chosen because of his passion for children, youth and families.”