SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber is hiring back most of the agency heads who worked for his predecessor.
The Democratic governor announced his picks to run most state agencies on Tuesday, but he left acting directors in charge of seven departments.
Most of the 24 agency directors are holdovers from the administration of Democrat Ted Kulongoski, who retired last month after two terms in office.
Before taking office, Kitzhaber said he would only hire department directors who convinced him they were willing to implement his agenda by tearing down bureaucratic barriers and working together more efficiently.
Kitzhaber says his agency heads must be “change agents” and they will be held accountable for results.
