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Governor Brown Adds New Members to Her Administration

September 4, 2015

(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today announced new members of her administration. The Governor appointed Jerry Waybrant as acting director of the Department of Human Services and named Fred Steele as the state’s long-term care ombudsman.
 
“Jerry and Fred have a passion for serving vulnerable populations, including children, older Oregonians, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and those living in poverty,” Governor Brown said. “Our state faces many complex policy challenges and requires experienced and talented leaders in their fields to ensure the health and well-being of Oregonians.”
 
Waybrant, a longtime public servant at DHS, is the current Chief Operations Officer for Child Welfare/Self Sufficiency Operations Programs at the agency. He manages daily operations of the Child Welfare and Self Sufficiency programs statewide. Waybrant began his career as a Child Welfare caseworker in Roseburg in 1985. Waybrant succeeds Director Erinn Kelley-Siel, who announced she was stepping down last month. Her last day will be Friday, Sept. 4, and Waybrant will begin Sept. 7. 
 
Steele is the State Legal Services Developer in DHS’ Aging & People with Disabilities Program. He coordinates the delivery and integration of the Older Americans Act and provides statewide leadership on issues related to ensuring the rights of older Oregonians. In his new role leading the state’s Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Steele will advocate and promote constructive systematic change for enhancements to programs that serve vulnerable Oregonians. Steele begins Sept. 16 and his appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

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