The governor announced Chris Warner will now be her chief of staff, replacing Andrea Cooper. Warner served as the governor鈥檚 deputy chief of staff previously. He has a long history working in politics; he worked as the director of the Portland Bureau of Transportation and spent time working in Gov. Ted Kulongoski鈥檚 administration. Warner, who is from Oregon, was also an aide to U.S. Senator Ron Wyden.
The governor said in a statement she appreciates Warner鈥檚 experience 鈥渓eading teams to implement large-scale initiatives and navigating complex budget cycles.鈥� The governor is also promoting Taylor Smiley Wolfe, who formerly served as her housing and homelessness director, to deputy chief of staff. Vince Porter, who was the governor鈥檚 economic development and workforce advisor, will become deputy chief of staff for public administration, taking over Warner鈥檚 role. Two other staff members will receive promotions: Kate Nass will remain the chief financial officer but join the leadership team to oversee the governor鈥檚 budget work and Matthew Tschabold will now serve as the new housing and homelessness initiative director.
In March, three of Kotek鈥檚 top aides announced they were leaving. Sources with knowledge of the governor鈥檚 office said the first lady鈥檚 growing involvement in policy matters played a role in their decision. Lindsey Burrows, Kotek鈥檚 deputy general counsel, is also leaving later this month to return to work as a criminal defense attorney but there is no suggestion it鈥檚 tied to Kotek Wilson鈥檚 influence.
The governor has pledged to seek guidance from state ethics officials about developing a formal Office of the First Spouse. Kotek Wilson鈥檚 role in the office is the subject of ethics complaints filed with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, though the actual substance of the complaints is currently confidential. The Governor鈥檚 executive leadership team now includes these people:
- Chris Warner, Chief of Staff
- Taylor Smiley Wolfe, Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor鈥檚 Initiatives
- Vince Porter, Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Administration
- Lindsey O鈥橞rien, Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Engagement (on leave)
- Andre Bealer, Equity and Racial Justice Director
- An Do, Public Affairs and Communications Director
- Richard Lane, General Counsel
- Berri Leslie, State Chief Operating Officer and DAS Director
- Bob Livingston, Legislative Director
- Kate Nass, Chief Financial Officer
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