| Press Release |
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| October 19, 2004 |
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Governor Kulongoski Names Office of Rural Policy Director
(Salem, OR) Governor Ted Kulongoski announced today that James “Jim” F. Azumano will become the Office of Rural Policy Director, effective October 25, 2004.
Azumano, 57, has most recently served as the City Administrator for the City of Hailey, Idaho. Prior to taking this position in Idaho, Azumano was a longtime resident and public servant in Oregon. He has over ten years of experience as county administrator serving in Clatsop and Hood River Counties from 1992 to 2003. He also served for six years as a deputy court administrator in Lane County, Oregon from 1977 to 1984. While in Hood River, Azumano provided administrative support for the first four-county (Sherman, Wasco, Gillam, and Hood River counties) regional adult and juvenile corrections facility in the United States, located in The Dalles. In Clatsop County he was instrumental in facilitating the first joint meeting of the commissioners from three Oregon Columbia River Ports; Portland, Astoria, and St. Helens to analyze and identify goals of mutual interests.
“For Oregon to thrive, we need to meet the needs of all communities - both urban and rural,” Governor Kulongoski said. “The new Office of Rural Policy will assist the state in better understanding and serving the unique needs of rural Oregon. Jim Azumano’s expertise and experience in working for rural communities will be an asset to this office and will help ensure we are doing everything we can to support rural Oregon.”
The governor created the Office of Rural Policy by Executive Order in April 2004. The Office of Rural Policy will be located in the Governor’s office in partnership with the Department of Administrative Services. The office will coordinate the formulation of rural policy for the state and will serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of information about issues that are of special interests to rural Oregon. The office will also serve as a liaison between elected officials in rural Oregon, the executive branch and the state legislature.
“Governor Kulongoski is committed to helping rural communities in Oregon thrive and move forward even in these challenging times,” Azumano said. “I believe my experience in working in rural communities and bringing together partnerships and collaboration will help make that happen. I am excited to work for an administration that sees the benefits of focusing on our rural communities and the new Office of Rural Policy.”
Azumano has a Bachelors Degree from the University of Oregon.
Media Contact:
Marian Hammond, 503-378-6169
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6496
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