Rudie Watzig grew up in Portland and attended the University of Oregon, where he studied physics and geography. Those subjects helped shape the way he approaches complicated questions: understand the system, look carefully at the evidence, and connect individual decisions to the larger picture.
Rudie has spent more than two decades working in Oregon state government. He previously led information technology work for the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and now works as an infrastructure architect and team lead at the Oregon Department of State Lands. His work includes infrastructure, cybersecurity, systems architecture, risk, long-term planning, and public-sector technology projects.
Rudie and his wife, Pia, are raising three sons who have attended Centennial schools at the elementary, middle, and high-school levels. His involvement in the district has grown from being a parent and supporter of school and youth activities to serving on Centennial’s Budget Committee and Facilities Advisory Committee.
Those roles have given him a closer view of the choices involved in district finances, facilities, enrollment, staffing, and long-term planning. They have also reinforced his belief that good governance is not about arriving with every answer. It is about asking clear questions, listening to the people closest to the work, understanding tradeoffs, setting direction, and following through on results.
