Kristen Grainger, folk singer and communications director to Governor Kate Brown. Photo: Facebook/Kristen Grainger
Among Oregon Governor Kate Brown’s executive staff is Salem singer-songwriter Kristen Grainger, who will serve as Brown’s communications director.
See Slides Below: Governor Kate Brown Announces Executive Team Staff Members
Grainger, whose career as a folk singer evolved alongside her career as a legislative advocate, political advisor and communications expert, served as communications director on Governor Ted Kulongoski’s successful 2002 race for governor. Since 2002, Grainger has worked as Vice President and Assistant to the President at Salem's Willamette University.
Amy Wojcicki held the position of communications director during Kitzhaber’s embattled fourth term.
Can you spot then Secretary of State Kate Brown and Rep. Rob Nosse in the audience at this Feb. 8 show at Abbie Weisenbloom's house in Portland? Hint: they're in the back. Photo: Facebook/ True North Band
Brown’s initial announcement reveals a veteran team of communications, policy, and legal staffers.
Brown’s team includes her long-time colleague Brian Shipley, who is leaving his post as OHSU’s top lobbyist to become the governor’s chief of staff. Shipley previously served as Brown’s Deputy Secretary of State, and on Kulongoski’s executive team.
Benjamin Souede, who served as a senior advisor to then Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, and is an advisor to the Oregon Innocence Project, will be Brown’s chief legal counsel. Liani Reeves held the position in Kitzhaber’s office.
The governor brings with her from the Secretary of State’s office Chief of Staff Gina Zejdlik, who will serve as Senior Policy Advisor.
Related Slideshow: Governor Kate Brown Announces Executive Team Staff Members
Brian comes to the Governor’s Office after having served in the government relations department at Oregon Health & Science University. Prior to that, he held positions throughout state government, including serving as Kate Brown’s Deputy Secretary of State and as a member of Governor Ted Kulongoski’s executive team. He also was Chief of Staff for the Senate Majority Leader and Director of Legislation for the Peter Courtney, President of the Senate.
Ben graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and cum laude in 2002 from Harvard Law School. After law school, he served as a judicial law clerk for the Hon. Susan P. Graber of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. After completing his clerkship, Ben moved to Washington, D.C. to serve as a Senior Advisor to then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY).
Ben began his legal practice with the leading D.C. litigation firm Williams & Connolly LLP. Upon returning to Portland, he continued in private practice as an attorney, first with Lane Powell PC and then as a founding attorney of what is now the Angeli Ungar Law Group LLC. He is also a founding member of the Advisory Board to the Oregon Innocence Project.
Kristen graduated from the University of Washington in 1988, and has been vice president and assistant to the president at Willamette University since 2002. Prior, she worked in Oregon state politics for more than 13 years as a journalist, political advisor and legislative advocate, including service with Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers from 1996 to 2002, and communications director for Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski’s 2002 gubernatorial campaign.
Gina is a graduate of the University of Washington and Notre Dame law school. She previously worked as a Deputy Legislative Counsel for the Oregon Legislature with an emphasis on government ethics, redistricting and election law. After serving as Legislative Director for Secretary of State Kate Brown, she was appointed Interim Elections Director. Most recently, Gina served as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of State.
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