Gov. Tina Kotek appointed a number of key staff members, including creating a new Office of Public Administration. Many are veteran Democratic aides.

Chris Warner, who directed the Portland Bureau of Transportation, becomes Kotek’s deputy chief of staff for public administration. He worked for Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Sen. Ron Wyden.

Vince Porter, her economic development and workforce advisor, was director of Regence Health Policy Center and worked for Govs. Kate Brown and John Kitzhaber.

Kelly Scannell Brooks, transportation and infrastructure advisor, was Milwaukie’s assistant city manager and previously an ODOT manager, congressional aide and lobbyist.

Geoff Huntington, senior natural resources advisor, was Elliott State Forest project manager for the Oregon Department of State Lands. Before that, he was chief of staff and director of strategic initiatives for the dean of the Oregon State University College of Forestry, executive director of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and deputy director of the Oregon Water Resources Department.

Former Rep. Karin Power, D-Milwaukie, is natural resources and climate advisor.

Doug Grafe is wildfire and emergency response advisor. He was wildfire programs director for Gov. Brown after 17 years with the Department of Forestry.

Rachel Currans-Henry, health and human services advisor, was strategic initiatives administrator with the state Department of Human Services Office for Aging and People with Disabilities.

Maya Crawford Peacock, executive appointments director, was executive director of The Lawyers’ Campaign for Equal Justice.

Constantin Severe, public safety advisor, had that same role for Gov. Brown.

Amelia Porterfield, regional solutions director, most recently was director of government relations at The Nature Conservancy in Oregon and was chief of staff for Kotek when she was House speaker and House Democratic leader.

Lindsey O’Brien, who also was a chief of staff for Kotek in the Legislature, is deputy chief of staff for public engagement.

An Do officially starts Jan. 19 as Kotek’s director of public affairs and communications. She was executive director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon and Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon.

Richard Lane is general counsel.

Becca Uherbelau is equity and racial justice director. She is a former executive director of Our Oregon and of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon. She also has worked for the Oregon Education Association, Metro, Multnomah County and the city of Portland.

Bob Livingston, legislator director and labor liaison, was a firefighter for 30 years, president of the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council and president of the Salem Professional Fire Fighters Association.

Pooja Bhatt will serve as the education initiative director, joining the Governor’s Policy Initiatives Team alongside Annaliese Dolph, behavioral health initiative director, and Taylor Smiley Wolfe, housing initiative director.

Melissa Goff, education advisor, was deputy executive director at the Oregon School Boards Association after being fired in 2021 as the Greater Albany Public Schools superintendent.

Continuing in their roles from Brown’s administration are Annie McColaugh, federal affairs director, Courtney Crowell, regional solutions coordinator, and Adrian Wulff, Department of Corrections ombudsman.

Legislative Republicans expanded their leadership teams. Newly elected Sen. Daniel Bonham of The Dalles was chosen as a deputy Republican leader. House Republicans added Reps. Kim Wallan of Medford and Lily Morgan of Grants Pass as deputy whips and Reps. Rick Lewis of Silverton and David Brock Smith of Port Orford as assistant leaders. However, Brock Smith’s tenure will be short-lived. He was just appointed to fill the Senate vacancy created by Dallas Heard’s resignation.

Kristina Narayan, who was legislative director for House speakers Kotek and Dan Rayfield, is joining CareOregon as its vice president of public policy.

Marcus Brubaker is deputy chief of staff for new U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-5th District. He was client services adviser for Excellence in Giving.

Marissa Sandgren is the new communications director for U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, D-4th District. She served the same role for Jamie McLeod-Skinner, the Democrat defeated by Chavez-DeRemer in the 5th district.

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.