About Local Efficiency Solutions
Pear Trees & Mt Hood, Oregon
It’s about serving communities in the land we love
At Local Efficiency Solutions, we help public sector organizations do more with less.
At Local Efficiency Solutions, we help public sector organizations do more with less. This means uncovering creative funding sources, eliminating hidden waste, and freeing up resources, so teams can address challenges with greater efficiency and innovation.
We partner closely with leadership to identify opportunities, conduct in-depth analyses, and deliver actionable recommendations. Our work engages diverse stakeholders — from frontline staff and elected officials to the general public. We facilitate focus groups to uncover community needs, present findings to executives, and support informed decision-making.
We also conduct performance audits, guide teams through tailored SWOT analyses, and develop everything from comprehensive strategic plans and Organizational Performance Management (OPM) frameworks to clear procedural guides for new hires. Whether scaling large initiatives or streamlining daily operations, we empower public sector organizations to adapt and thrive.
We’re proud to support Oregon’s public servants — because stronger local institutions create a better Oregon for everyone who calls this beautiful state home.
Willamette Valley Grass Seed Field, Oregon
Background on the Founder
Mark Grabow, Founder and Principal Consultant
With over two decades of public sector experience, I specialize in leading operational efficiency improvement projects. Throughout my career, I have successfully delivered on short-term, high-impact engagements, providing often-approved recommendations to leadership at community colleges, local governments, universities, and nonprofits.
I founded Local Efficiency Solutions because I want to provide strategy and optimization services for as many of the boots-on-the-ground amazing service providers as I am able. I am a public servant at heart. Always have been. Always will be. I value putting effort into seeing successful communities, because communities are where we raise our families and live our lives.
From the beautiful mountains of Southern Oregon, I deliver innovative, results-driven solutions for local public service organizations - including local governments (cities, counties, special districts), community colleges, and nonprofit organizations. My career has centered on helping leaders do more with less; Local Efficiency Solutions continues that mission by providing versatile, focused assistance to public service organizations at the local level.
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Below is my journey before creating Local Efficiency Solutions, highlighting foundational experiences in developing my expertise in public sector efficiency.
Education & Commitment to Service
Master of Public Administration, Local Government Management Focus, Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, Portland State University (PSU)
Founding President, Pacific Northwest’s First ICMA Student Chapter
Graduate Certificate in Sustainability, Natural Resources Policy Focus, PSU
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Minor in Philosophy, Southern Oregon University
As Founding President of the Pacific Northwest’s First ICMA Student Chapter, I built a bridge connecting seasoned professionals and public admin PhD and masters students. Still running today, it continues to advance local government knowledge, interest, and connections.
In grad school, I was honored to be my academic year’s sole recipient of the Community Service Scholarship from the Honorable Governor Barbara Roberts. Furthering my service commitment, I earned two prominent public service fellowships through the Center for Public Service within the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government — the Oregon and Hatfield Fellowships.
Professionally, I have always thrived in identifying opportunities for efficiency improvement and creating performance management tools to achieve goals. Here is a summary of some of those activities.
Performance Assessment & Strategic Planning
My work has included aligning vision and values to set goals and map strategy, designing roadmaps, conducting analyses (e.g. cost-benefit, SWOT, feasibility), creating flowcharts, and presenting actionable recommendations to senior leadership.
Having conducted performance evaluations for multiple large local governments, one such project led to me developing Council Compass™, the proprietary performance measurement tool now offered at Local Efficiency Solutions.
Operational Efficiency & Process Improvement
For one city, I coordinated its first cross-bureau collaborative efficiency project, optimizing operations in procurement processing, facilities management, and revenue collection, with most recommendations approved by leadership.
For another city’s accounts receivable department, my operations efficiency assessment led to approved process improvements, saving time and costs.
Program & Performance Management
I’ve also crafted performance management plans for both colleges and local governments, collaborating with stakeholders to develop data-driven solutions.
For one nonprofit, I developed a program management tool streamlining project and budget tracking, presenting the tool at its national conference.
Community Engagement & Organizational Advancement
For both colleges and nonprofits, I’ve led community initiatives that strengthened partnerships and fostered civic engagement.
As project manager for a performance measurement nonprofit, I doubled membership through targeted outreach and strategic partnerships while coordinating its largest conference to date (500+ attendees).
At Local Efficiency Solutions, I leverage this experience to deliver solutions that achieve lasting impact for local governments and communities.