| Press Release |
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| Oct. 9, 2009 |
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Governor Kulongoski announces new General Counsel
Governor also announces new tribal liaison and public safety advisor
(Salem) – Today Governor Kulongoski named Joseph O’Leary as his General Counsel effective December 1, 2009, following the Governor’s appointment of former General Counsel Kelly Skye to fill a vacancy on the Multnomah County Circuit Court.
As General Counsel, O’Leary will provide legal advice to the Governor and his staff, and will serve as the Governor’s liaison with the Oregon Judicial Department and the Oregon Department of Justice. O’Leary will also continue to play an oversight role in the Governor’s public safety agenda.
“I am pleased that Joe has agreed to serve as my General Counsel while continuing to have an advisory role in public safety,” Governor Kulongoski said. “His experience as an attorney, his work with the legislative and judicial branches, as well as the public safety community make him uniquely qualified to fill this important role in my administration.”
Mr. O’Leary has served as the Governor’s Public Safety Advisor since May 2006. Prior to joining the Governor’s staff, O’Leary served as counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee of the Oregon State Legislature after working as an attorney in private practice in Portland. O’Leary is a graduate of Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College
The Governor announced that Senior Policy Advisor Daniel Santos will serve as the Governor’s Liaison to the nine federally recognized tribes in the state of Oregon, which was previously within the General Counsel’s portfolio.
“Danny has more than 30 years of public service, including serving four governors in varying capacities,” Governor Kulongoski said. “Danny has a deep understanding of the government to government relationship and a demonstrated commitment to strengthening that relationship, which has been one of my priorities as governor.”
In addition to serving as the Governor’s Liaison to the tribes, Santos will continue to serve as the Governor’s Labor Advisor, employment and workforce advisor and housing and community development advisor.
The Governor also announced that Cameron Smith will rejoin his staff assuming the role of Public Safety Advisor. In this role, Smith will work closely with the Department of Corrections, law enforcement and other public safety agencies to help further reduce recidivism, improve crime prevention, and expand rehabilitation opportunities while working to provide a more efficient and cost-effective public safety system.
“Cameron will be a valuable addition to my team and key to my efforts to continue to keep Oregonians safe and secure in their communities,” Governor Kulongoski said.
Smith returns to the Governor’s staff after he was recalled to active duty as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps and served a year tour including a 7-month deployment to Iraq. It was his third deployment with the Marines to Al Anbar Province, Iraq since 2004. Prior to his most recent deployment, Smith served as a Policy Advisor to the Governor for Energy and Sustainability.
Contacts:
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6169
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496
Jillian Schoene, 503-378-5040
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