Oregon Department of Administrative Services Director Michael Jordan Resigns

Email to a friend Permalink

Thursday, March 05, 2015

Annie Ellison, GoLocalPDX Reporter

The director of the state department that became central to the unfolding John Kitzhaber scandal in the final days of the now former governor's term in office, has resigned. 

Department of Administrative Services Director and Chief Operating Officer for Oregon Michael Jordan, sent a letter to staff announcing his resignation Thursday morning. 

Jordan's resignation will take effect April 1, and George Naughton will serve as acting director until Governor Kate Brown appoints a successor. 

Jordan asked for a state police investigation into an apparent security breach in the department’s Enterprise Technology Services (ETS). Feb. 19, after emails from one of Kitzhaber's private accounts were leaked to the Willamette Week. The same week, two top DAS staff were put on administrative leave. 

Before the governor resigned Feb. 18, DAS staff refused to carry out a request from Kitzhaber's assistant, Jan Murdoch, to remove emails from that personal account from the state server, where they had been accidentally stored, according to DAS spokesman Matt Shelby. 

It is unclear why Jordan, who sat down with the Oregonian's Nick Budnick for a story published Feb. 25 regarding the events following Kitzhaber's departure from office, resigned.

Read the full resignation letter:

Dear Agency Heads, Boards & Commissions,

This morning, I notified Governor Brown that I will be resigning as State COO and DAS Director, effective April 1. George Naughton has agreed to serve as acting director, effective immediately, until Governor Brown can appoint a successor.

We’ve made great strides in the past four years to not only improve the work we do here at DAS, but across the enterprise of state government. Our relationship with the Legislature has improved, our customers are more engaged and state agencies are working more collaboratively. That’s thanks to your hard work and dedication.

Governor Brown is committed to continuing with the Enterprise Leadership Team and other related collaborative initiatives that have led to our improvement. To maintain our momentum, she will need your continued effort and support.

Regards,

Michael Jordan

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

Email to a friend Permalink