Fariborz Pakseresht, director of the Oregon Department of Human Services, appointed Dana Hittle as the new interim director of the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services. Anna Lansky, who was interim director, was offered the job permanently but chose to take a position elsewhere. Her last day is March 15, and Hittle will take over then. Hittle rejoined the department this fall after serving as Medicaid director at the Oregon Health Authority. 

Angela Yeager, the lead communications officer for Paid Leave Oregon, took a job with OHSU as senior communications specialist. The Oregon Employment Department is accepting applications to fill her position until March 18. Before joining the department two years ago, Yeager worked for the state Department of Human Services and for Oregon State University. 

Sarah Adelhart, who came to the Oregon Health Authority as a policy analyst in 2022, is now a manager with the 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis System. She recently served as interim manager for OHA’s Behavioral Health Medicaid, Policy and Planning Unit. 

Traci Baker, public affairs specialist with the Department of Emergency Management, will move to the Department of Education on March 14. She previously worked for the state Parks and Recreation Department. 

Former House Speaker Lynn Snodgrass is back as head of the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce. When Snodgrass retired as chamber CEO last summer, Stayce Blume was hired to replace her. Blume resigned Feb. 29, so Snodgrass now is filling in.

Gov. Tina Kotek appointed Kari Hayter as Gilliam County justice of the peace, effective June 1. Hayter is city recorder for Arlington and chair of the Arlington School District Board.

Former House Republican Leader Christine Drazan, of Canby, announced she is running for her old legislative seat. After losing the 2022 gubernatorial race to Kotek, Drazan formed A New Direction, a 501(c)4 nonprofit dealing with Oregon issues. She also taught a political science class at George Fox University – bringing in former Gov. Kate Brown and other politicians as speakers – and recently joined the Oregon board of the Common Sense Institute. The House District 51 contest will pit Drazan against Rep. James Hieb, R-Canby.

ODOT recently hired Omar Alvarado as small business programs navigator to assist small firms seeking to work with the department.

Bryce Dole is joining OPB as a politics and government reporter. He comes from The Bulletin in Bend and previously reported for the East Oregonian.