Oregon - Oregon State University President Edward J. Ray plans to step down when his contract ends in 2020. Ray has served as president since July 2003 and will end his five-year contract on June 30, 2020. Ray came to OSU from Ohio State University, where he served as executive vice president and provost beginning in 1998. Over the next few weeks, Oregon State's board of trustees will announce the process and timeline for selecting a new president.
Pennsylvania - The University of Pittsburgh has named Catherine Koverola, an administrator currently working for a university in Africa, as president of Pitt's Bradford and Titusville campuses, effective June 1. Koverola is the inaugural provost and senior adviser with the African Leadership University in Mauritius, Africa. Koverola succeeds Livingston Alexander, who retired in June 2018.
California - The Regional Council of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) approved the appointment of Kome Ajise as executive director. The 30-year veteran of regional planning and transportation will assume the role on an interim basis pending the formal contract approval process. Ajise has served as SCAG planning director since November 2017. Prior to joining SCAG, Ajise served as chief deputy director at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
Wyoming - Western Wyoming Community College has chosen Kimberly Kuster Dale to be its next president. Dale is currently executive vice president of Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff. She succeeds Karla Leach, who announced her retirement last year. Dale previously served as dean of instruction at two campuses of Colorado's Front Range Community College, in Fort Collins and Westminster.
Oklahoma - Mayor Bob Coburn has resigned after being appointed to serve as a state transportation commissioner. Ward I Councilor Janey Cagle-Boydston, who served as deputy mayor, was sworn in to succeed him until voters choose the next mayor in 2020. Coburn was about a year into his term. Boydston was appointed in 2015 to serve Ward I Councilor David Jones' unexpired term after he decided to leave office early. She has served as deputy mayor since 2018.
South Dakota - South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has appointed Patricia Jean DeVaney to serve on the South Dakota Supreme Court. The appointment fills the open vacancy in the 3rd Supreme Court District created by the Late Justice Steven Zinter. She began her career in the Attorney General's Office in 1993, where she worked as an appellate and trial lawyer until 2012. DeVaney was appointed to South Dakota's Sixth Judicial Circuit, where she has served since 2012.
Florida - After eight years at the helm of Broomfield's economic development department, director Bo Martinez resigned in March to become the next economic development director for the city of Miami Beach. Senior Economic Development Specialist Jill Mendoza became the interim director of economic development after Martinez's departure.
Washington - Erin Erdman has been named the new Battle Ground city manager. Erdman has served as interim city manager since October of last year when City Manager Jeff Swanson resigned. Erdman has over 15 years of experience in municipal government. In April of 2014 she was appointed as the city of Battle Ground's Community Development director. Erdman will continue to serve as the community development director along with her new role as city manager.
Illinois - Rock Island County State's Attorney John McGehee has been appointed to replace Rock Island County Judge Lori Lefstein, who is retiring. McGehee will be handling civil cases, which was what Lefstein was doing when she retired. McGehee will serve until the November 2020 election and then he would have to run for the position along with any other candidates.
California - Laguna Niguel has announced the resignation of City Manager Kristine Ridge, who will leave her post on April 26 to become Santa Ana's city manager. Ridge started in her position with Laguna Niguel in January 2018. Prior to that, she was assistant city manager for Anaheim. Ridge will start as Santa Ana's city manager effective May 1. Ridge replaces City Manager Raul Godinez II.
Virginia - Lexington City Manager Noah Simon is leaving at the end of April to begin his new position as the assistant town manager of Westlake, Texas. Simon joined Lexington's staff in October 2014 to replace Jon Ellestad, who retired after leading the city for 24 years. Simon went to Virginia after working as assistant county manager in Floyd County, Ga. The city will seek an interim city manager and an outside firm to assist with the search for a permanent replacement.
Alabama - Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock will be retiring in 2020. Dudchock began his tenure with Shelby County in 1988. Giving a 12-month notice, Dudchock plans to retire March 31, 2020 after 30 years of service to Shelby County - 26 of those as the county manager. Some of his biggest accomplishments include creating a new personnel system, developing the county's infrastructure and the creation of new judicial and behavioral health services.