OREGON – John Finfrock was unanimously elected to be the new chairman of the Ogle County Board at its meeting Sept. 17.
He had previously served as vice chairman under Kim Gouker, who was found dead in his Byron home on Sept. 10.
Patricia Nordman was unanimously elected as the new vice chairman of the board.

The board also approved a proclamation naming Sept. 21, 2019 as Kim Gouker Day.
“Kim P. Gouker personally fostered and championed significant Ogle County improvements, including, but not limited to, renovating the Ogle County Courthouse, constructing the County Judicial Center, and laying the framework and vision for the County’s Judicial Center Annex and government campus,” the proclamation read.
It also highlighted his, “unwavering vision and community commitment will provide a lasting legacy as exemplified by his personal outreach and mentoring, broad public outreach programs such as Focus House, and personal relationships he imparted on the citizens of Ogle County.”
As a tribute to Gouker, a jacket and a rose were placed at his seat in the County Board room at the Courthouse.
Gouker had served on the board since 1996, and as chairman since 2012.