For the third time since former governor John Kitzhaber resigned, an Oregon state agency will change directors. This time, it’s the Department of Human Services.
After four years as director of the state’s welfare services agency, Erinn Kelley-Siel said she’s resigning to spend more time with her family. In an email to employees Friday, she wrote “My family has let me know it is time. They have sacrificed a lot for me to do this job, and I am grateful for that.”
Kitzhaber appointed Kelley-Siel to director when the agency split from Oregon’s Health Authority in 2011. Governor Kate Brown has replaced two agency heads since Kitzhaber resigned. Her office wouldn’t say whether Kelley-Siel was asked to resign.
In a statement, Brown wrote, “Oregon has been fortunate to benefit from her talent and leadership in public service for more than 13 years.”
Kelley-Siel will continue as director until Brown appoints a replacement.
Copyright 2015 Northwest News Network