Oregon insiders: Who’s who in and around state government

Published 11:00 am Monday, May 8, 2023

Emily McLain, chief of staff for Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, resigned on May 1, the day before Fagan did. At the request of Gov. Tina Kotek’s staff and Deputy Secretary Cheryl Myers, who will lead the office until Kotek appoints Fagan’s replacement, McLain will stay on during the transition. She was executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon before joining Fagan’s staff in 2021.

Brian Stephen is the Oregon Department of Corrections’ new chief of security. He was hired as a correctional officer at the Oregon State Penitentiary in 1995, advancing through the ranks to become assistant superintendent of security there in 2021.

Megan Chuinard is the new executive director of the Oregon Seed Council, a role that includes being the organization’s lobbyist. She has worked for the Association of Oregon Counties since 2019.

Marion County Circuit Judge David E. Leith is retiring May 31. Gov. Kotek, who will appoint his replacement, is accepting applications through May 25.

Rep. Ben Bowman, D-Tigard, was chosen for the Emerging Legislative Leaders Program put on by The State Legislative Leaders Foundation in July at the University of Virginia. House Speaker Dan Rayfield nominated him. Past participants from Oregon included Rep. Kotek in 2010.

Rayfield has recommended that Gov. Kotek appoint Rep. Thuy Tran, D-Portland, to the state Public Lands Advisory Committee, which advises the Department of Administrative Services on real estate transactions costing at least $100,000. Senate President Rob Wagner has recommended that Sen. Mark Meek, D-Gladstone, continue in the committee’s other legislative slot.

Wagner and Rayfield appointed a legislative Special Subcommittee on Transportation: Sens. Lew Fredrick, D-Portland, co-chair; Brian Boquist, R-Dallas, co-vice chair; and Chris Gorsek, D-Troutdale; and Reps. Nancy Nathanson, D-Eugene, co-chair; Kevin Mannix, R-Salem, co-vice chair; Maxine Dexter and Tawna Sanchez, D-Portland; Jami Cate, R-Lebanon; Annessa Hartman, D-Gladstone; and Rick Lewis, R-Silverton.

AFT-Oregon, which represents 17,000 workers in education and childcare, elected new officers. President is Ariana Jacob, an adjunct faculty member in art at Portland State University. Executive vice president is Ted Cooper, a PSU graduate teaching assistant and doctoral candidate in computer science. The union also is ending its lobbying relationship with Mahonia Public Affairs and instead will rely on its own staff and members, according to Northwest Labor Press.

Torrey Sims moved to the state Department of Administrative Services as principal internal auditor. He had been an internal auditor for the Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority and before that an investigator with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.

The OLCC has extended its search for a chief information officer amid the fallout from the scandal over diversion of high-priced bourbon. Applications are being accepted through May 15.

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.