Margi Hoffman, of Bend, and Chuck Sams, of Pendleton, joined the Northwest Power and Conservation Council this month as Oregon’s two representatives. The state Senate in February approved their nominations by Gov. Tina Kotek. Both served in President Joe Biden’s administration. Hoffman was USDA Rural Development’s state director for Oregon. Sams was director of the National Park Service.

The Senate confirmed Kotek’s appointment of Alexi Lovechio, of Ashland, to the state Board of Forestry. She is the forests and ecosystem services program manager for Ecotrust. The Senate also confirmed the reappointments of board members Heath Curtiss, of Silverton, general counsel for Hampton Lumber, and Ben Deumling, of Rickreall, who manages the family-owned Zena Forest and runs Zena Forest Products.

Rep. Hoa Nguyen, D-Portland, announced she has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and has begun chemotherapy. Legislative rules allow her to participate remotely in committee meetings and votes, but floor votes require a legislator’s physical attendance. She also is a member of the David Douglas School Board.

Alma Whalen replaced Luke Belant as the state’s deputy elections director. Whalen has worked for the Secretary of State’s Office for over 10 years, most recently as deputy director for campaign regulation.

Katie Clemo joined the Oregon Health Authority’s Child and Family Behavioral Health program as the youth and young adult substance use disorder policy coordinator. She worked for Polk County Child Welfare for 15 years, the last nine as the recovery support team leader.

James Schroeder, who briefly was interim director of the Oregon Health Authority for Gov. Kotek, will take over as president/CEO of Cascadia Health on March 17. Derald Walker is retiring, having led the organization since 2008. Schroeder has been deputy CEO since October. A medical officer in the Oregon Air National Guard, he is deputy commander of the 142nd Medical Group.

Andrea Cooper, who was Gov. Kotek’s first chief of staff, left the Department of Administrative Services, having finished her tenure as a senior adviser.

The Oregon Republican Party elected new leaders: chair, Jerry Cummings; vice chair, Connie Whelchel; secretary, Sheri Brady; and treasurer, Glenn Miller.

After almost 35 years with Oregon Public Broadcasting, journalist Morgan Holm retired this week. He started as a radio producer in 1990, an era when OPB had a far smaller news staff. Since 2013, he has been OPB’s senior vice president and chief content officer.

In other news, the state is recruiting for the new position of executive residence director. Mahonia Hall in Salem is the state-owned residence of Gov. Kotek and first lady Aimee Kotek Wilson.

If you have an update on who’s coming or going – or taking on a new assignment – in state government or organizations involved with it, email Dick Hughes at TheHughesisms@gmail.com.