The Oregon Department of Correction chose FBI agent Ryan Dwyer to become deputy inspector general. He is the FBI special agent in charge of the Eugene-area field office and has more than 25 years’ experience in conducting and managing investigations.

Other DOC job changes include:

• Jennifer Black was named chief of staff and will continue leading the Public Affairs Division. Black, who joined the department in 2007, was promoted last year to assistant director of communications and government relations.

• Harvey Mathews, hired earlier this year as legislative manager, took over as communications and government relations administrator. His background includes private business; president, Software Association of Oregon; lobbyist, Associated Oregon Industries; and legislative director, Oregon House speaker.

• Stephen Cook moved into the role of strategic initiatives manager.

• Rob Persson, assistant director of operations, will leave in December.

• At the Oregon State Penitentiary, Robert Adamson was promoted to assistant superintendent of security and Jamie Breyman to assistant superintendent of special housing, correctional services and activities.

Leann Johnson is out as director of the Oregon Health Authority’s Equity and Inclusion Division after eight years in charge, having reportedly been fired by OHA Director Sejal Hathi. A national search is planned to replace Johnson. Alfonso Ramirez, equity and community partnerships manager in OHA’s Behavioral Health Division, will be interim director. 

Casey Fenstermaker is the new compliance and enforcement coordinator for the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. Previously a deputy chief counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, she fills the vacancy created when Susan Myers was promoted to commission executive director in January. The OGEC also hired former Yamhill County deputy sheriff Josh Sullivan as an investigator. He replaces Hillary Murrieta, who is now with the Oregon Medical Board. 

Dominique Rossi, who was legislative director for Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, joined the Oregon State Bar as public affairs director. 

Tatiana Amrein, chief of staff for Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, D-Portland, will join Sen. Kate Lieber, D-Portland, as her budget director. On July 15, Lieber will replace Steiner as the Senate co-chair of the Joint Ways & Means Committee. Amrein will continue working part-time for Steiner during the legislative interim while assisting with the Ways & Means transition and preparations for the 2025 session.

Anne Marie Bäckström is now chief of staff for Rep. Farrah Chaichi, D-Beaverton, after holding that role for Rep. Thuy Tran, D-Portland.

Gov. Tina Kotek appointed Jenna Wallace as Lincoln County district attorney following the resignation of Lanee Danforth. Kotek appointed Christopher J. Parosa as Lane County district attorney following the retirement of Patricia Perlow. Wallace and Parosa won their May primary contests. 

Kotek appointed Nickolas A. Brajcich to the Columbia County Circuit Court, replacing Judge Cathleen B. Callahan, who retired. Brajcich was a deputy district attorney. 

Annie Ellison, who has led Emerge Oregon for four years, will leave that role to work on campaigns for candidates running for the Portland City Council, according to Willamette Week. Emerge has been influential in preparing women to seek political office.

Bob Sallinger, who last year became Willamette Riverkeeper’s conservation director, is the nonprofit’s new executive director. He was the longtime conservation director for Portland Audubon, now known as the Bird Alliance of Oregon.