Legislative and Communications Director
Andrea is the Legislative and Communications Director for the agency, which includes managing legislative affairs, policy development, and media communications. She brings over a decade of experience from the Oregon Legislature working in both the House and Senate. In addition, she has been involved in working on national policy issues in cooperation with other states, professional development for legislative staff around the country, and efforts to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Andrea has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics with a minor in Asian Studies from Willamette University. She has numerous interests some of which include spending time with family, traveling, and reading.
Email:
andrea.chiapella@oregon.gov
Chief of Staff
Cameron Smith is the Chief of Staff for the Oregon Secretary of State. He most recently served as the director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s primary consumer and worker protection agency. Cameron also served as the director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs where he built and led a team to stand up for four generations of veterans and their families for their health, education, and economic opportunity.
Cameron previously served as senior policy advisor to Governors John Kitzhaber and Ted Kulongoski. Prior to state government, Cameron served 5 years in the United States Marine Corps as a captain, completing three tours of duty in Iraq, and is also a graduate of Carleton College in Minnesota. Originally from Boston, he lives in Southeast Portland with his wife and young family where he continues to root for the Red Sox.
Email:
cameron.smith@oregon.gov
Director, Civics Education
As a member of the Secretary’s Executive Office, Mary Beth is charged with creating and implementing the Civics Education Program on behalf of the Secretary. She is responsible for managing the Kid Governor Program as well as other civics education components, including providing access to the Oregon Constitution to classrooms all across Oregon. Mary Beth served as the State Archivist for 14 years, after serving the Archives Division for many, many years before that. She holds a master’s in history from the state University of New York at Albany and is a Certified Archivist and Certified Records Manager. Born and raised in Buffalo, Mary Beth is a die-hard Bills fan who hopes to see the team win a Super-Bowl in her lifetime.
Email:
mary.e.herkert@oregon.gov