Matt Shelby, the public voice for the Oregon Department of Administrative Services for the past four years, is moving onto a more gameful position as public information manager for the Oregon Lottery.

“I’ve said in the past that if you stay anywhere beyond about five years, you risk becoming part of the problem,” the communication strategist wrote in an email to reporters Thursday, Nov. 9. “I don’t think that’s true 100 percent of the time, but I do think there’s value in striving for new challenges and opportunities to learn.”

Shelby begins his new position Monday, Nov. 13, succeeding Joanie Stevens-Schwenger, who is retiring at the end of the month.

“I am so excited to have more time for grandbabies, friends, family, multiple projects and me,” Stevens-Schwenger wrote in an email to Oregon Capital Insider. “I have stacks of books to read, thousands of miles of trails to hike and gallons of celebratory Prosecco to drink!”

Shelby’s new role expands beyond communications. He also will be leading the Lottery’s policy and rule development.

“The Lottery plays an interesting role in Oregon,” Shelby wrote in the email. “We all count on the revenue it generates to fund vital programs, but we’re also mindful of the social impacts of problem gambling. I hope to help strike the right balance between revenue and social responsibility. (It) should be a fun challenge.”

DAS is actively seeking a successor for Shelby. In the meantime, DAS communications analysit Amy Williams will field questions from reporters.