Vicki Walker will retire July 1 as director of the Oregon Department of State Lands. She has led the agency since 2018. Her successor will be appointed by the State Land Board, which comprises Gov. Tina Kotek, chair; Secretary of State Tobias Read; and State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner. Walker previously was state director for U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and an Oregon legislator.

Darren Goodding began work this month as the first manager of the 83,000-acre Elliott State Research Forest northeast of Coos Bay. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service and other federal agencies throughout the Pacific Northwest. The state forest was created in 1930. Last fall, the State Land Board re-established it as a research forest and adopted the initial management plan.

Kathy McAlpine, a former Tigard police chief and longtime police officer in Tacoma, Washington, will become deputy director of the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. McAlpine joined DPSST a year ago as director of the Professional Standards Division. Bill Steele, the deputy director since last September, is retiring Feb. 7. McAlpine will remain in charge of the Professional Standards Division until a new division director is hired, after which she will run the Training Division and Fire Program. During the transition, DPSST Director Phil Castle will oversee the areas that Steele managed.

Lynnea Lindsey is now deputy director of the Oregon Health Authority’s Behavioral Health Division. She worked in Hood River, Eugene, Corvallis and Portland as a psychologist, consultant and behavioral health executive.

Shawn Haywood has returned to being Operations Division manager at the Workers’ Compensation Division. He had been continuing that role while also being interim deputy administrator. Shawn Haywood, the Performance Division manager, is the new interim deputy administrator. Matt West remains acting administrator. Katie VanCleave was hired as claim records manager following the retirement last year of Edie Roster.

Former legislative staffers Suzanne Kunse and Shane O’Brien moved to the Oregon Institute of Technology. Kunse is associate vice president for government and community relations. She previously worked for U.S. Reps. Andrea Salinas, Kurt Schrader and Darlene Hooley. O’Brien is OIT’s associate director of government and community relations.

Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, D-5th District, was elected as the new member co-chair of the Future Forum Caucus, described as “a generational caucus of young House Democrats.”

Oregon House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, made several changes to state committees:

— Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission: Rep. Tawna Sanchez, D-Portland, replaces Lisa Reynolds, D-Portland, who is now a senator.

— Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program: Rep. Sarah Finger McDonald, D-Corvallis, replaces Reynolds.

— Governor’s Commission on Senior Services: Rep. Tom Andersen, D-Salem, replaces Rep. David Gomberg, D-Otis, who was elected House speaker pro tem.

— Improving People’s Access to Community-based Treatment, Supports and Services Grant Review Committee: Rep. Willy Chotzen, D-Portland, replaces Charlie Conrad, of Dexter, who was defeated in the May Republican primary.

— Oregon State Council for Interstate Juvenile Supervision: Chotzen replaces Conrad.

— Joint Task Force on Regional Behavioral Health Accountability: Rep. Darcey Edwards, R-Banks, replaces Conrad.

— Juvenile Justice Policy Commission: Rep. Rick Lewis, R-Silverton, replaces Conrad.

— Oregon Climate Action Commission: Rep. Mark Gamba, D-Milwaukie, replaces Rep. Ken Helm, D-Portland.

Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, appointed Sen. Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, as co-vice chair of the Joint Committee on Tax Expenditures.