Gary Runyon is the State Board of Pharmacy’s new executive director. He first joined the board as a compliance officer and then became pharmacist consultant. Rosa Klein, who served as interim executive director while on loan from the Department of Administrative Services, is now interim deputy director at the Employment Department.

Mike Cook, who was fire chief at Chiloquin Fire and Rescue, joined the Oregon State Fire Marshal this week as a regional mobilization coordinator serving Southwest Oregon.

Dr. Miriam “Mimi” McDonell is the new executive director of the state Universal Health Plan Governance Board. Kim Lee has temporarily joined the program as operations and policy analyst.

Mia Maldonado will join the Oregon Capital Chronicle next week, moving west from the Idaho Capital Sun. Both publications are part of States Newsroom. Maldonado will cover the Oregon Legislature and state agencies, with an emphasis on social services.

Nik Blosser stepped down as executive director of the federal Columbia River Task Force, which the Biden administration created last year. Blosser previously served in the Biden White House and as chief of staff for Gov. Kate Brown.

The Oregon Senate confirmed Gov. Tina Kotek’s appointments to the Governor’s Child Foster Care Advisory Commission: Matt Crowell, Boardman; Jessy Powell, Salem; Casey Dreher, Cottage Grove; and Alicia Richard, Troutdale. 

The Senate also confirmed the appointments of Jamie Whipple, Gresham, to the Behavior Analysis Regulatory Board; Peter Janci, Portland, Oregon Government Ethics Commission; and Bryan Smith, Milwaukie, State Board of Pharmacy.

Senate President Rob Wagner and House Speaker Julie Fahey appointed Gary Jackson, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, to the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council. Jackson will finish the term of Steve Rondeau, The Klamath Tribes.

Democratic Reps. Hòa Nguyễn, Portland, and Jules Walters, West Linn, chair the Child Care Caucus. The 45 legislative members include five Republicans: Sens. Dick Anderson, Lincoln City, and Suzanne Weber, Tillamook, and Reps. Cyrus Javadi, Tillamook, Kevin Mannix, Salem, and Boomer Wright, Reedsport.

Former Springfield mayor and Democratic legislator Bill Morrisette died April 15 at age 93. A retired teacher, he served in both the House and Senate.

Angie Blackwell, who was general manager of Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, joined The Oregon Community Foundation as program officer for the Northern Willamette Valley.

Longtime Oregon Community Trees board member Jim Gersbach has been elected president of the organization.