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Governor Kitzhaber Announces Staffing Changes

Mike Bonetto to Become Chief of Staff January 1; Curtis Robinhold, Tim Raphael Moving On
November 19, 2013
Mike Bonetto, Governor Kitzhaber’s Health Policy Advisor, will become the Governor’s Chief of Staff on January 1, 2014. He replaces Curtis Robinhold who will join the Port of Portland as Deputy Executive Director. Governor Kitzhaber today also announced his Communications Director, Tim Raphael, is leaving the office on December 1, 2013 to join public affairs firm, Strategies 360, as its Senior Vice President, Oregon operations.

“Mike has been a key member of my leadership team since day one,” said Governor Kitzhaber. “He has shown tremendous leadership skills driving our health care transformation efforts. Mike offers a unique combination of policy expertise, political savvy and professionalism that will serve my administration well.”

“I’m humbled by the appointment,” said Bonetto. “It’s a privilege to work with the Governor to rethink and redesign critical government services, like health care, education,  and how we approach job creation and economic development to improve the lives of all Oregonians. It’s also been an incredible experience being able to work with and learn from Curtis and Tim who have built an amazing team and culture. I can’t wait to get started.”

Bonetto, Robinhold and Raphael have been with the Governor since his inauguration in January 2011. The Governor and Bonetto will immediately begin the search for a new Communications Director, Education Policy Advisor and Health Policy Advisor and expect to fill the positions by January 1,2014.

“It’s hard to say goodbye to Curtis and Tim,” said Governor Kitzhaber. “Together, we have accomplished a great deal during the last three years. They helped create the strategy, the team and the focus for an ambitious policy agenda that will deliver better results for Oregonians on education, health care public safety and long term economic prosperity. I wish them well and look forward to continuing to work with them in their new roles.” 

Before joining the Governor’s office, Mike Bonetto was the Vice President of Business and Community Development for St. Charles Health System. Previously he was the Senior Vice President of Planning & Development for Clear Choice Health Plans and Director of the Oregon Health Policy Commission. He served as the Senior Policy Advisor to the Oregon Senate Republican Caucus and Policy Analyst for the Oregon Insurance Pool Governing Board. Mike received a Ph.D. in health policy and Master of Public Health from Oregon State University as well as a Master of Science from California State University, Fullerton. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Occidental College. 

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