Longtime Deschutes County Commissioner Tammy Baney will take over as executive director of the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council in January.

Baney, who was first elected to the commission in 2006, lost in this year’s Republican primary to Deschutes County Republican Party Chairwoman Patti Adair. In her new role, she’ll lead an agency that provides regional transportation services, alternative high school education, job training and small-business loans in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties.

Baney will start at COIC Jan. 1, doing double duty for the first week because her successor won’t be sworn in until Jan. 7. She said she’s excited to take the reins at COIC as it works on rebranding and determining what value it adds to the region.

“The cool thing about COIC is that a council of governments can be whatever the region’s needs are,” she said.

The new job also comes with a hefty pay raise: Deschutes County commissioners earn $88,803 per year, and Baney will start at $120,000 at COIC.

Baney will remain on the Oregon Transportation Commission, which she now chairs. She left the state Housing Stability Council at the end of her second term in June, but she could soon be appointed to the state Habitat for Humanity board of directors.

Baney, who has served on several regional and statewide boards during her 12 years on the Deschutes County Commission, said she’ll continue looking for other opportunities for statewide work that will align with her role at COIC.

Current COIC Executive Director Karen Friend, who spent 22 years at the organization, plans to retire.

—  Reporter: 541-633-2160, jshumway@bendbulletin.com