Oregon insiders: Who’s who in and around state government
Published 4:45 pm Thursday, September 22, 2022
- OREGON CAPITAL INSIDER - Carpet in the Oregon governor's ceremonial office in the state Capitol in Salem
Ellen O’Brien and Matthew Puckett joined the Oregon Legislature’s Legislative Policy and Research Office on Sept. 15 as analysts and will work through June 2023. Erin Seiler will begin Oct. 3 as an analyst in a permanent role. LPRO will soon begin recruiting additional analysts and legislative committee assistants for the 2023 session.
Democratic insider Trent Lutz is the new associate vice president for state affairs at the University of Oregon after nearly 12 years at the Oregon Education Association, most recently as assistant executive director of public affairs. He previously was chief of state for House Majority Leader Val Hoyle, executive director of the Democratic Party of Oregon, deputy legislative director for Gov. Ted Kulongoski and campaign finance director for Kulongoski and Congressman David Wu.
Department of Environmental Quality Director Richard Whitman this week abruptly moved up his retirement, resigning as of Sept. 30. Wednesday was his last day in the office before taking leave. He announced in June that he would retire at year’s end. The Environmental Quality Commission will discuss appointing an interim director during its Friday meeting.
House Speaker Dan Rayfield, D-Corvallis, appointed Rep. Lori Kuechler to fill former Rep. Anna Williams’ spots on the House Human Services Committee and the House Agriculture, Land Use and Water Committee. Kuechler, D-Sandy, was sworn into office on Monday to finish Williams’ term.
Rep. Karin Power, D-Milwaukie, who did not seek reelection this year, was appointed to the Clackamas Community College board. She was sworn in Wednesday to finish the term of Greg Chaimov, who is moving to Washington.
Gov. Kate Brown withdrew her nominations of John Selker to the Energy Facility Siting Council and Christina Rivas to the State Board of Massage Therapists.
Masao Kumori has been selected to lead Oregon’s Japanese Representative Office, which works with Business Oregon to represent the state’s business, trade and related interests in Japan. Gov. Brown will lead an Oct. 14-26 trade trip to Japan and Korea.
