Previously, OPEA's leadership team consisted of persons who were elected by the membership from districts formed for specific geographic areas. Under that system, members from different agencies, with different issues and maybe not much in common, were grouped together.

Beginning January 1, 2003, however, the Association changed its governing structure from one with a geographical-emphasis to an agency-based one that brings together employees from the same or similar agencies. Councils consisting of one or more agencies are now the primary coordinators of OPEA's local activities. The result has been that the Association's elected leaders are able to focus on the challenges and opportunities unique to their particular responsibilities in government.

Each Council, in turn, nominates one of its own members to the OPEA Board of Directors, which is the chief policy-setting body of the Association.