Oregon
Finalists for Oregon Ethics Commission director answer questions during ‘meet and greet’
The search for the replacement for the Oregon Government Ethics Commission’s current director, Ron Bersin, who is retiring after leading the agency since 2006, is down to two candidates.
Susan Myers and Jay Messenger work in Salem as state government employees. They answered submitted questions Thursday so the commission could better understand how they would respond to potential budget cuts and their leadership style, and their knowledge about the position.
The commission enforces the state’s ethics laws, provides training for public officials and maintains the registry of required economic interest disclosures, registered lobbyists, and quarterly expenditures.
State auditors in 2021 said the nine-member commission could be strengthened and more independent. The commission last year launched an investigation into former secretary of state Shemia Fagan and her potential ethics violations of using state resources for personal benefit and reimbursement of personal expenses. The commission also made headlines after Gov. John Kitzhaber resigned amid an ethics scandal in 2015.
The full commission is set to conduct a final interview with the finalists this week.
Susan Myers, OGEC’s compliance and education coordinator
Meyers joined the commission in 2018 as an investigator. She received her bachelor’s in English from the University of Arizona and a master’s degree in English Literature from the University of New Mexico. She moved to Portland in the 1990s and taught English Literature for 10 years at Mt. Hood Community College and Portland Community College before returning to Arizona and attending law school. She worked at a private law firm before becoming an assistant attorney general in Arizona from 2008 through 2016, specializing in antitrust law.
Jay Messenger, internal controls officer for the Oregon Department of Revenue
Messenger was raised in Pennsylvania and attended Temple University for his undergraduate and law degree. He worked for two law firms doing securities regulatory defense and was a senior attorney in the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Department of Enforcement. He taught at Santa Clara University’s School of Law before moving to Oregon in 2010 and teaching at Willamette University’s College of Law. He also briefly worked as a chief of staff for California Assembly member Tony Thurmond in 2016. He joined the Oregon Department of Education as the legal and enforcement director from 2019 to 2022 before his latest position at the Department of Revenue.
Below are responses the finalists gave Thursday during what the commission called a “meet and greet.” They have been edited for length and clarity.
What is your understanding of the mission of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission?
Myers: To enforce the areas of law within its jurisdiction and to do so with impartiality. To accept complaints alleging violations of the three areas of law: ethics laws, lobbying laws and the public meetings. Our mission is to enforce those laws, but our mission also is to educate and that part of the mission, education, is, in my mind, primary. We accomplish more by educating people than simply by fining them or sanctioning them. I’m not saying the enforcement is not important but even in the enforcements, in the investigations, and so forth, the goal is still education because we don’t want people to repeat the same offenses.
Messenger: It administers and enforces Oregon government ethics and emphasizes education. Beyond the actual text of it is the government ethics commission deals with lobbying. It deals with government ethics, generally a lot of conflict-of-interest work. It deals with executive session laws. The OGEC has this body of law that they have to administer and enforce and just like any regulatory compliance practice, which I’ve been involved with most of my legal career, is making sure that those rules are adhered to. What I really appreciate about this mission is the education aspect … What any regulator wants is voluntary compliance. So you need the hammer of the enforcement but you also need to be able to teach and get the message out and help people understand … The mission is extremely important in order for people to have faith in government.
What experience do you bring that will help you be successful in this role?
Messenger: My own unique path meets the job duties of this description and would help support me … my law background deals with statutes and regulations. I spent almost a decade teaching in law schools … I’ve had significant management positions.
Myers: Being an English professor, being an attorney … and the years I’ve spent at this agency. Ron Bersin has taught me a lot in those years. I’ve learned a lot. He has intentionally involved me in every aspect of the agency.
What are your top priorities for the agency in the first 30, 60 and 90 days?
Myers: In the first 30 days, the top priority is a successful transition, making sure staff understands expectations and how things will be working but outwardly facing is move the rulemaking process for public meetings law. We’re going to do rulemaking for ethics and lobby laws as well but getting the public meetings law done and getting the rules advisory committee formed is the primary goal for the next 30 to 60 days … And then we also have other items. Budgetary things that have to happen by early February as well legislative concepts … 60 to 90 days would be making sure the rulemaking process gets completed … taking steps to make our agency a little more open and transparent. That may be by providing more information on our website … figuring out where our agency could be more open and providing better information to the public.
Messenger: There’s some information I don’t have because I’m obviously on the outside. I don’t know some of these things but from being involved in the executive leadership team at the Department of Revenue certain deadlines are coming up … I don’t know if (OGEC) has any in the works but I would take a look at that … We have this short session, I don’t know what OGEC has going on in the short session so one is to deal with the legislative issues both for the short session that’s coming up and the 2025 session. What do we need to do to prepare for that? What do you need to do to get the trains running on time and keep the trains running on time … make sure while I’m learning that the work keeps flowing and maintain the high standards that the agency has … I want to make sure the staff feel supported … Getting more on-demand training available. I noticed on the OGEC website that there’s a plan to get more of it out in 2024 so I’d like to make sure that happens.
What opportunities do you see for the commission?
Myers: This has been a major transition not just in terms of Ron leaving but in terms of public meetings law. This is new not just to us, but other than the court system there has been no one in Oregon in all these years enforcing public meetings law … It is an opportunity for the commission and for the commission to meet that part of the mission that I said is preeminent: to provide education to everyone who needs it … Other opportunities are to explore outreach. Not just sending our trainers out to different parts of the state but exploring different ways of reaching our audience …There is an opportunity here for the commission and commission staff to establish better relationships with all of the public bodies that we serve … The other is something that I would propose, a difficult thing … I’ve thought about the benefits that COVID has brought us. I don’t mean COVID itself but meetings like this. We didn’t have Teams and Zoom meetings and all of that pre-COVID and now when the commission meets some of them are present in person and some are present in video … The opportunity for the commission is, as we get new commissioners … it is important that the commission be representative of the entire state. It’s well represented on a political spectrum, I would like to see, maybe, better representation on the statewide spectrum.
Messenger: I see some opportunities in outreach. I’ve been in the Oregon state government since 2019 … I took the course every state employee takes, the OGEC intro training that’s required but I don’t recall outreach done to state employees. I don’t know what outreach has been done to other public officials like local employees or local officials, people in boards and commissions across the state so I’d like to do some more outreach … More on-demand video training … And could we have little blurbs from opinions or stipulated orders that said here’s an example of a potential conflict of interest? Here’s an example of an actual conflict of interest.
Why do you want to lead the commission?
Messenger: The mission speaks to me. It’s a very important mission … And I feel like I could really contribute to the work of the commission.
Myers: I have worked very hard for this position … and that is because I’m very much committed to what this agency is and does and I believe I can help it do more.
Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter @DianneLugo
BLUE RIVER, Ore. (KATU) — The founder of a former disaster relief nonprofit is being sued for allegedly diverting nearly $837,000 in donations and grants for personal gain.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed the lawsuit Thursday against the founder and executive director of Cascade Relief Team (CRT), Marcus Brooks. In the complaint, Rayfield calls CRT “a sham.”
Brooks is accused of stealing donations and government grants meant for disaster relief following wildfires and flooding in 2020, and using it for personal expenses including casino visits, travel, vehicles, and more.
CRT was founded in 2020 and was hired for cleanup and relief services following the Labor Day Wildfires that burned over 1 million acres across Oregon.
In Blue River, an unincorporated community in the McKenzie River Valley, the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire destroyed nearly 800 homes and burned more than 173,000 acres.
I am angry that my community was taken advantage of
Just months after the fire, long-time Blue River resident Melanie Stanley said CRT stepped in and promised help to the community.
“For us, it was…like a savior at that point,” Stanley said.
Stanley was the manager for the Blue River Resource Center and worked for Brooks to help facilitate recovery efforts. She said CRT operations slowly became questionable.
“None of us knew the level at which all of this stuff that finally came out was at,” Stanley said. “We knew that there was some stuff that had started to look hinky or feel hinky, or there was just some lack of communication that was happening. There were some other things that were happening, and so we just all were kind of guarded.”
In fall of 2023 the nonprofit was reported to have run out of money, and Brooks allegedly fired staff without disclosing the organization’s financial conditions and did not notify donors or beneficiaries. Stanley was one of those people fired.
The state now claims the funds that were meant to go towards communities like Blue River, never made it out of Brooks’ hands, including donations given by Blue River neighbors.
“I am angry that my community was taken advantage of, and I am angry that they now have to worry about trusting when something else happens, because we know something else is going to happen,” Stanley said. “We hope to God it’s never anything as big or as bad as what has happened, but you know, we also have learned that groups like Locals Helping Locals…they are our foundation, and they are because they’re us.”
The state is seeking to recover the money, permanently bar Brooks from serving in a leadership role at a charitable organization and dissolve the nonprofit.
Stanley said Brooks’ actions have tainted reputations.
“We as a community and as the people from the community who helped kind of put all of these things together, we did what was asked of us,” Stanley said. “We did help clean things, and we did help get things to provide, you know, more progress and get things moving forward, and we did good work, and so I just really hope that this is not overshadowed.”
According to Stanley, Blue River’s recovery now stands at 50%.
“We will be very picky from here on out about who and what groups gets let in to help with anything,” Stanley said. “And sadly, it may be to our detriment, but he did more damage now, as far as reputations go, and for that I’m angry. I’m very angry.”
The Oregon Ducks have been progressing through the class of 2027 with hopes of landing some of their top target’s commitment on both the offense and the defense.
With many names left on the board, the Ducks have started to receive some great news, including some news from someone they have been targeting since they offered back in January of 2025.
Darius Johnson Releases His Top Four Schools
One of the Ducks top targets’ in the 2027 class at the cornerback position is Darius Johnson. Johnson recently released his top schools with Hayes Fawcett, as he is entering a crucial part of his recruitment. The four schools he has listed at the top include the California Golden Bears, Michigan Wolverines, UCLA Bruins, and the Oregon Ducks.
Johnson is one of the better cornerbacks in the country. He currently ranks as the nation’s No. 178 prospect in the country, No. 20 player at the position, and the No. 14 player in the state of California, according to Rivals. Landing his commitment would be major for any of the schools, as he is someone who could see the field early due to his size, and his growing ability to lockdown a side of the field all by himself.
More About Darius Johnson
Johnson currently measures in at 6-1 and 155 pounds, and will be someone who continues to add weight through his high school program, and will eventually have the chance to really improve his frame when he gets to college. As of now, each of the four schools has a solid chance to win its recruiting battle, but there seems to be a clear leader at this moment.
The leader for the Ducks target seems to be the Michigan Wolverines, who have the only scheduled official visit at this moment. It seems likely that the talented prospect will schedule his other official visits sooner rather than later now that he has officially cut down his list. If the Ducks want to land his commitment, they will need to get him on an official visit because they are likely trailing at this point.
What If He Committed to Oregon Today?
If he were to commit to the Ducks today, he would be the ninth commitment for the Ducks in the class of 2027. He would also be the third cornerback commit for the Ducks in the class of 2027, which is a position they have been recruiting heavily. The cornerbacks the Ducks have at this moment are four-star Ai’King Hall from the state of Alabama and four-star Josiah Molden from the state of Oregon.
Some of their other commits at this moment include four-star EDGE Rashad Streets, four-star defensive linemen Zane Rowe, and four-star EDGE Cameron Pritchett. This class is shaping up to be another top-five class if the pieces continue to fall into place for Oregon coach Dan Lanning and his staff.
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Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson, after an impressive 2025 season with the Ducks, now becomes the leader at his position following the departure of star Kenyon Sadiq to the NFL.
With an Oregon offense set to return several top stars and bring in two talents at the tight end position, Johnson looks to not only improve as a leader but build off his impressive 2025 season, in which he recorded 32 receptions for 510 yards and three touchdowns.
Here’s everything Johnson had to say during his media appearance following Oregon’s scrimmage on Saturday, with the spring game on the horizon.
Everything Tight End Jamari Johnson Said After Spring Scrimmage
What He Learned From Playing With Tight End Kenyon Sadiq:
“So many, but one is training. Everybody in this facility harps on it, and it’s just a standard here. It’s like him from last year, that man strained his guts out almost every play. I just feel like I got to do the exact same thing or even more to uphold the standard.”
Stepping Up At Tight End:
“It just changed because obviously Kenyon leaving somebody has to step up and be a leader in the room, and me being one of the older guys, it just happens to be me. I just accepted that role, and I actually kind of like it, getting these young guys going, getting them in the playbook and getting them used to college football.”
Participating Again In Spring Practice:
“It feels good coming back. Feels like I have something to prove for me personally, I feel like I haven’t really done anything in college football. I feel like this year is that year for me to show everybody what I’m about.”
On Tight Ends Kendre Harrison and Andrew Olesh:
“Both good dudes, they both got that dog in them. Andrew, he came from Penn State. He’s been coming along well, getting in the playbook. Kendre, he’s a big, tall guy, getting in the playbook too. They’ve been getting after it, man. It’s been good taking them under my wing. Hopefully, we just get going this year.”
Goals and Expectations Ahead of Spring Game:
“I’ll say one expectation that we really try to harp on in the room is just going 100 percent. That’s with your effort, that’s with knowing the plays and just giving it your all. A goal is just to get in that endzone. That’s one of the goals for the tight end room right there.”
Why He Returned to Oregon:
“Like I said earlier, to me, I felt like I haven’t really done anything in college football. That was one of the reasons, and another is I wouldn’t say I’m not ready for the NFL, but like that’s pretty much what I’m getting at, is just like I have a lot of stuff to work on that’s within footwork and hand placement, block in the run game, and route details. Getting to the right depth and just touching up everything I can so when I get to the NFL, there’s none of those problems, it’s just the big problems I have to fix.”
How Reps Helped Him Improve:
“It really helped me. Last year, we ran a lot of twelve personnel at the end of the season because we had a couple of injuries, but that really helped me. This year, I feel like I’m coming in rolling off the ground. It’s just so much more fluent, and those reps really helped me with the playbook. Playbook is way easier now, and I’m getting a good feel for it.”
His Leadership Traits:
“I like to get the guys going. I have a real voice on the field, and if y’all hear me on the field, I get the guys going. I wouldn’t say I’m a vocal leader, but I lead by example. Vocal leader, probably something I need to work on.”
On New Offensive Coordinator Drew Mehringer:
“It’s been different. They’re two different people, coach (Will) Stein and coach Drew. My guy’s getting us going. I’m excited for this season.”
Supporting Dakorien Moore At Track Meet:
“Yesterday, that touched my heart, man. Just all of us going out there, and it wasn’t even just for Dakorien. It was really for Oregon. It was just more for Dakorien because we see him every day. That really touched my heart, and the connection is just unbelievable. I don’t think many people are doing that for their teammates.”
Quarterback Dante Moore’s Growth:
“That guy has his head on his shoulders at all times. He’s been growing consistently, but it’s a couple of different things. I probably can’t name them right now, but he’s been having his head on his shoulders. He’s just been on the climb.”
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