Gov. Tina Kotek’s strategic communications adviser, Danny Moran, is now the governor’s deputy legislative director, a new position. He was Kotek’s communications director during part of her tenure as House speaker and then for her successor, Dan Rayfield.

Brandy Nichols, who was budget and economics program manager at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, is the new chief financial officer for the Department of Land Conservation and Development. Other new employees include Silas Lobnibe, grants and periodic review coordinator, and Erin Smith, procurement and contract specialist. Allan Lazo, former executive director of the Fair Housing Council of Oregon, is the new vice chair of the Land Conservation and Development Commission.

Kaylie Klein, who is special counsel to Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, begins work Sept. 9 as the city attorney for West Linn, where she lives.

Jacob Vandever was promoted to deputy chief of staff for the Oregon House Republicans. The caucus’ legislative director, he has worked for three House Republican leaders. 

The Legislative Policy and Research Office hired seven employees. New research analysts are Monica Cox, Meghan Franco and Jesse Helligso. New legislative analysts are Katie Hart, health care; Alexandra Kihn-Stang, health care and behavioral health; and Kaia Maclaren, housing.

Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, appointed Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, to the Community Safety and Firearm Suicide Prevention Task Force, replacing Sen. Mark Meek, D-Gladstone. Wagner appointed Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham, The Dalles, to the Oregon Growth Board.

Becca Thomsen is the new director of communications for the Hospital Association of Oregon. She previously worked at CareOregon, Multnomah County and Quinn Thomas. Travis Meuwissen will be returning to the association as director of government affairs. He has been working for CFM Advocates in Washington, D.C., while completing a master’s degree. He previously was the association’s director of advocacy and before that worked for Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson and Rep. Mitch Greenlick.

 League of Oregon Cities lobbyist Ariel Nelson has taken a job with Hillsboro to lead the city’s government affairs program. Since joining the LOC in 2019, she handled housing, homelessness and land use issues. In May, Andy Smith left as Hillsboro’s government relations director to join the Proxy lobbying firm.

 Rosario Rucoba, who was political manager for the Latino Network Action Fund, was promoted to managing director.

Marian Hammond, co-founder of Brink Communications, joined the Oregon Health and Education Collaborative as deputy director. 

Dr. Laurie Chesley, president of Central Oregon Community College since 2019, will retire on June 30, 2025.

Initial appointments have been made to the explanatory statement committees for ballot measures likely to be voted on at the Nov. 5 General Election, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. Chief petitioners appoint two members to the committee and the secretary of state appoints two members. The four appointees select the fifth committee member.

• Antonio Gisbert, Dan Meek, Preston Mann and Jenny Dressler are on the committee for Initiative 17: “Increases highest corporate minimum taxes; distributes revenue to eligible individuals; state replaces reduced federal benefits.” The committee will meet Tuesday to choose its fifth member.

• Michael Selvaggio, Madison Walters, Derek Sangston and Erin Sweeney are on the committee for Initiative 35: “Cannabis retailers/processors must remain neutral regarding communications to their employees from labor organizations; penalties.”