[DHS-News] Vol. 5, No. 21 SPECIAL

Thu Feb 26 13:41:49 PST 2004

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dhs-news
February 26, 2004
Volume 5, Issue 21
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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. Leadership change at DHS

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1. DHS Director Jean I. Thorne sent the following message to all department
employees today.

February 26, 2004

To:           DHS Staff

From:       Jean I. Thorne, DHS Director

I'm writing to let you know of a change in leadership here at DHS.

Governor Kulongoski has named me to lead the Public Employees' Benefit Board,
which oversees health care and other benefits for state employees and their
families. He has named Gary Weeks as acting director of DHS. These changes are
effective Monday, March 1.

Gary's permanent appointment is subject to confirmation by the state Senate,
and mine by the benefit board. 

Many of you know Gary, who was director of DHS from 1995 to 2001. He is a
skillful and experienced leader, and I know you will give him your full
support.

In the past year at DHS, we have worked through service reductions, ongoing
uncertainty about our budget, and adjustments in our organizational structure.
Through it all, you have remained dedicated to providing Oregonians with the
best possible service.

I appreciate this greatly, and I thank you for the support, the friendship and
the good ideas you have offered. You have made this year one of the most
fulfilling of my career.

I will share more of my thoughts with you in my director's message tomorrow.

Below, I've attached the full text of the Governor's news release about these
changes.

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Governor Kulongoski Appoints Jean Thorne as 
Director of the Public Employees Benefit Board and 
Gary Weeks as Director of the Department of Human Services

Governor Ted Kulongoski today announced that Jean Thorne, currently the
Director of the Department of Human Services, will be named as Acting Director
of the Public Employees Benefit Board, subject to Board confirmation. Gary
Weeks, who is the head of the Department of Administrative Services, will
become Acting Director of the Department of Human Services, subject to Senate
confirmation, effective March 1, 2004. 

"Jean Thorne has proven herself as an excellent manager as director of the
state's largest, most complex agency," said Governor Kulongoski.  "I am
pleased that Jean has agreed to take on another challenge by leading the
Public Employees Benefit Board as it works towards its strategic vision. I
know that she will continue to serve the people of Oregon with the same skill
and dedication she has brought to her other posts in state government."

Ms. Thorne has worked for Oregon state government since 1976. Since January,
2003, she has been the Director of the Department of Human Services. Prior to
her most recent service with DHS, she worked in the office of Governor John
Kitzhaber, as the Education and Workforce Advisor, as well as the Federal
Policy Coordinator. From 1987 to 1995, she served as the Director of the
Office of Medical Assistance Programs, administering Medicaid programs for the
state of Oregon. She also worked in a variety of positions within the Oregon
state Executive Department, Workers' Compensation and at the Oregon Department
of Human Resources. Ms. Thorne graduated from Portland State University in
1976 with a B.A. in Sociology and obtained a Masters of Public Administration
from PSU in 1979. 

 "Gary Weeks has long been one of the most trusted people in state government.
With thirty years experience in directing several state agencies, including
DHS, Gary is clearly the best choice for this key assignment. Leading the
department through these difficult budgetary times will be among Gary's first
priorities. Moreover, I have asked him to continue leading the accountability
efforts across state government. Over the past year, he has spearheaded
innovative ideas to make government more efficient; maintaining progress in
all of these areas remains high on my agenda," said Governor Kulongoski.

Mr. Weeks has served for 29 years in Oregon State government in a variety of
positions, including the Director's positions in four different agencies: 
Department of Insurance and Finance, Department of Administrative Services,
Oregon State Lottery, and the Department of Human Services.

>From 1995 to 2001, Mr. Weeks served as Director of the Oregon Department of
Human Services for nearly six years.  In February, 2001, he left Oregon
government to assume a position as Director of Human Services Reform in the
Annie E. Casey Foundation's newly created Casey Strategic Consulting Group.  

Upon the election of Governor Ted Kulongoski in November of 2002,   Mr. Weeks
left the Casey Foundation to return to Oregon and assume the position of
Director of State Government Operations.  Working through the Department of
Administrative Services, he acted as the chief operating officer for Governor
Kulongoski and had specific responsibilities for the performance and public
accountability of state agencies.  

Mr. Weeks has authored and presented papers and speeches at international,
national and regional meetings on such diverse issues as performance
management and budgeting, welfare reform, long-term care, mental health and
developmental disabilities, public health, insurance reform, and occupational
safety and health.

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visit our Web site at http://www.dhs.state.or.us

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