Roy Kaufmann is the new communications director for Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. His background includes serving as communications director for the Meyer Memorial Trust, public affairs director at Lewis & Clark College, speechwriter for Gov. John Kitzhaber, vice president of Hubbell Communications and spokesman for Portland Mayor Sam Adams.

Evan Sorce, longtime chief of staff for Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, has taken a job at Western Oregon University, where he was student body president in 2009-10. Sorce is secretary to the WOU board of trustees and special assistant to the president.

Oregon State Police Superintendent Casey Codding filled his old position by naming Josh Brooks as deputy superintendent. Brooks was captain of the Office of Professional Standards. Maj. Jeff Fitzgerald, previously deputy commander of the Public Safety Services Bureau, leads the Field Operations Bureau. Maj. Teresa Bloom, formerly captain of the Office of Training and Recruitment, directs the Police Services Bureau. The department’s public information officer and legislative liaison is Capt. Kyle Kennedy.

Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, appointed himself to the Joint Committee on Transportation, discharged co-chair Sen. Chris Gorsek, D-Troutdale, and appointed Sen. Lew Frederick, D-Portland, as co-chair while Gorsek recovers from heart surgery.

House Speaker Dan Rayfield, D-Corvallis, appointed Reps. Court Boice, R-Gold Beach, and Annessa Hartman, D-Gladstone, to the Task Force on Homelessness and Racial Disparities.

Leina Gonzalez Baird is the new digital equity program coordinator for the Oregon Broadband Office.

Anne Udall will step down as president/CEO of Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette in August as part of the organization’s succession plan. Kenji Nozaki, chief of affiliate operations, will serve as interim CEO. Meanwhile, Jennifer Williamson, former Oregon House majority leader, is interim executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, the political and advocacy voice for Oregon’s Planned Parenthood affiliates. Former executive director An Do joined Gov. Tina Kotek’s staff as communications director.

The national Brewers Association presented its F.X. Matt Defense of the Industry Award to former Congressman Peter DeFazio, who co-founded the House of Representatives Small Brewers Caucus.