OREGON CAPITAL INSIDER - Carpet in the Oregon governor's ceremonial office in the state Capitol in Salem

Michele Ruffin is the new executive director of Our Oregon, the coalition of labor unions and other organizations backing progressive causes. She previously worked for the Oregon Education Association, Gov. Kate Brown, and Forward Together and Forward Together Action.

After a year-plus as communications and outreach director at the state Early Learning Division, preceded by five years in a similar role at Western Oregon University, Marion Suitor Barnes has taken a new role as public affairs manager for the city of Eugene.

Ethan Stuckmayer will manage the new Housing Division at the state Department of Land Conservation and Development. He had been the department’s senior planner of housing programs since 2019.

Former state Rep. Lane Shetterly of Dallas is the new chair of the Oregon Community Foundation board. Shetterly headed DLCD during 2004-2007.

The Oregon FAIR Plan Association board hired Stephen Steinbeck as executive director. The 1971 Legislature created the association, a nonprofit insurance company supported by its member companies, to serve as insurer of last resort. Steinbeck was a senior manager for Oregon Mutual Insurance and previously worked for Nationwide Insurance.

In changes at public colleges, Kelly Ryan, interim chancellor of Indiana University Southeast, will become president of Eastern Oregon University on July 1. Chris Breitmeyer announced his resignation as Clatsop Community College president as of July 31.