Kezia Wanner joined the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) as director of the Business Services and Compliance Division, overseeing human resources, finance, IT, logistics, and policy and compliance. A former deputy director of Portland Fire and Rescue, she has more than 25 years’ experience in local government administration and public safety. 

Amy Mettler, OEM’s new chief financial officer, was CFO at the Department of Land Conservation and Development. Her experience includes 15 years as a state auditor conducting financial, compliance, performance and IT audits, as well as investigations. 

Anna Feigum moved from state hazard mitigation officer at OEM to lead its Policy and Compliance Section. Erin Zysett joined OEM as a public affairs specialist, coming from the Department of Early Learning and Care and a rotation with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildfire.

Chandra Ferrari fills the new position of natural resources policy adviser in the Governor’s Office. She moved from ODFW, where she was deputy administrator of the Habitat Division and managed the Water Program.

Alexis Amorelli is the new foster care ombudsman in the Governor’s Advocacy Office for the Oregon Department of Human Services. Darin Mancuso, the ombudsman since the position was created in 2013, will retire in July. Amorelli was an ombudsman for the Coast Guard, joined the state as a permanency caseworker with Child Welfare in Jackson County in 2017 and most recently was a lead investigator with Adult Protective Services.

ODHS hired Molly Miller as deputy director for Child Welfare. She began her career 22 years ago at Self-Sufficiency Programs before moving to Child Welfare, becoming program manager for District 16 in 2021. She fills the position held by Aprille Flint-Gerner, who was promoted to director.

Caitlin Breitbach was hired as small business ombudsman at the Department of Consumer and Business Services. Breitbach, who previously served as assistant small business ombudsman, replaces David Waki, who retired after nearly 20 years in the role. The Office of the Small Business Ombudsman is an independent advocate for small businesses, entrepreneurs and professional advisers as they navigate the workers’ compensation system.

Tony Lapiz will become chief of staff for the Oregon House Majority Office, probably in mid-July. He was legislative director for House Speaker Dan Rayfield and managed Rayfield’s successful campaign this year for the Democratic nomination for attorney general. Lapiz previously worked for Gov. Kate Brown, Secretary of State Shemia Fagan and SEIU Local 503. He will replace Scott Moore, who followed Rep. Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, to the Speaker’s Office as chief of staff.

Tess Seger, communications director for the Oregon Senate Majority Office, is serving as communications adviser for the Senate Democratic Leadership Fund on a part-time basis through this year’s elections.

Dr. Abby Lee, who spent the past 25 years at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, will take over July 1 as executive director of the Oregon Community College Association. Karen Smith, OCCA’s senior policy adviser and general counsel, has filled the role on an interim basis since Morgan Cowling left a year ago. Lee, who lives in Fruitland, Idaho, will relocate to Salem. She served 10 years in the Idaho Senate and was the Republicans’ assistant majority leader. Cowling, who had joined OCCA as executive director in 2022, this year became executive director of the Universal Health Plan Governance Board.