Full Name
Kurt Wilson
Job Title
Executive Director Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG)
Company
Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG)
Speaker Bio
Dr. Kurt Wilson is a local government expert, advocate, and educator who serves as the Executive Director of the Western Riverside Council of Governments and the General Manager of the Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency – a 2025 finalist for the America City Award from the National Civic lead and winner of Top Workplace and Best Place to Work in California awards. He has over three decades of experience leading West Coast government agencies and is a past President of both the City Managers Department of Cal Cities and the California chapter of the International City and County Management Association.
Wilson is best known for his instrumental role in managing Stockton from being the largest municipal bankruptcy in American history to the second most fiscally healthy large city in America accumulating 3 All-American City Awards and credit rating upgrades along the way.
He is a former City Councilmember who has held senior positions in five cities along with his state and federal service which includes two gubernatorial appointments from former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and an appointment as a founding member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security following his medical response to the September 11th attacks.
His advocacy for abused and neglected children spans service as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate and roles as a school Principal, co-founder of a Boys and Girls Club and Police Activities League, and board member of a nonprofit that provides burial funds for deceased children. He is an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University, a member of the Statewide Leadership Council of the Public Policy Institute of California. He currently serves as a Board member for the California Reserve Police Officer Association and on advisory panels for Stanford University, and Pepperdine University’s Davenport Institute.
He was awarded Special Congressional Recognition and has been recognized as one of the 25 most influential Blacks in Northern California.
Wilson holds a doctorate of law and policy from Northeastern University and certifications from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, UC Berkeley, Pepperdine University, University of Virginia, and University of Georgia.
Wilson is best known for his instrumental role in managing Stockton from being the largest municipal bankruptcy in American history to the second most fiscally healthy large city in America accumulating 3 All-American City Awards and credit rating upgrades along the way.
He is a former City Councilmember who has held senior positions in five cities along with his state and federal service which includes two gubernatorial appointments from former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and an appointment as a founding member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security following his medical response to the September 11th attacks.
His advocacy for abused and neglected children spans service as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate and roles as a school Principal, co-founder of a Boys and Girls Club and Police Activities League, and board member of a nonprofit that provides burial funds for deceased children. He is an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University, a member of the Statewide Leadership Council of the Public Policy Institute of California. He currently serves as a Board member for the California Reserve Police Officer Association and on advisory panels for Stanford University, and Pepperdine University’s Davenport Institute.
He was awarded Special Congressional Recognition and has been recognized as one of the 25 most influential Blacks in Northern California.
Wilson holds a doctorate of law and policy from Northeastern University and certifications from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, UC Berkeley, Pepperdine University, University of Virginia, and University of Georgia.
Speaking At
