Agency Leadership Team

Executive Office

Michael Kaplan (he/him)

Deputy Secretary

Michael Kaplan is the Deputy Secretary of State and is responsible for all day-to-day operations of the Secretary of State's Office on behalf of Secretary Read.

Michael began working for Oregon State Government in 2007. Before his appointment to the Secretary of State's Office, Michael was Oregon's Deputy Treasurer. He has also been the Director of the Oregon Department of Energy, served on Governor Kulongoski's Recovery Act Implementation team, and served as Governor Kitzhaber's Deputy Legislative Director. Michael also wrote the proposal for and led the implementation of Oregon's Hardest Hit foreclosure prevention strategy and worked as a policy and budget analyst for the Department of Administrative Services.

Michael is from New York City and grew up in Prince George's County, Maryland. He has a degree in English Literature from the University of Maryland, College Park. Away from work, Michael adores time with his wife and their two humane society rescues, cycling and reading.

Email: michael.kaplan@sos.oregon.gov

Dmitri Palmateer (he/him)

Chief of Staff

Dmitri has been working at the intersection of public policy and politics for nearly 30 years. Raised in Roseburg, Oregon, Dmitri attended Willamette University where he got involved in student government and was engaged in campaigns for the Oregon Legislature. He left Oregon for a few years to pursue a PhD in American history at Binghamton University, focusing on social and labor history. Dmitri has served as legislative director for Speaker of the House Jeff Merkley, Caucus Director for the House Democrats, Deputy Chief of Staff for Governors John Kitzhaber and Kate Brown, and Chief of Staff for State Treasurer Tobias Read. He also worked briefly as Senator Jeff Merkley’s statewide business liaison and for a public relations firm. He lives in Salem.

Email: dmitri.palmateer@sos.oregon.gov

Mary Krehbiel (she/her)

Chief of Strategic Initiatives

Mary Krehbiel is the Chief of Strategic Initiatives for the Oregon Secretary of State. Prior to coming to the Secretary of State, Mary was the Organizational Risk & Resiliency Manager for the Oregon State Treasury and oversaw the highest risk projects and initiatives during her 12 years there. Mary isn’t entirely new to Secretary of State as she began her career in state government as a financial auditor in the Audits Division. Mary lives in Salem with her husband and their two daughters. Outside of work, Mary enjoys spending time with family and friends and being outdoors when it’s not too cold, or too hot. Fall is her favorite season.

Email: mary.krehbiel@sos.oregon.gov

Shayna Rogers (she/her)

General Counsel for the Oregon Secretary of State

Shayna Rogers is the General Counsel for the Oregon Secretary of State. Shayna brings a decade of experience in private legal practice, where she specialized in civil litigation and appeals. Prior to that, she worked in each branch of Oregon’s government. She is excited to be back in public service.

Shayna is a native Oregonian and proud alumna of Oregon State University.

In her spare time, Shayna enjoys spending time outside with her family and rescue dog, tending her overgrown garden, and listening to audiobooks.

Email: shayna.rogers@sos.oregon.gov

Tess Seger (she/her)

Deputy Chief of Staff – Communications

Tess is the Deputy Chief of Staff – Communications for Secretary Read. She brings a decade of experience advising leaders in government, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and businesses to the agency. Immediately prior to this role, she was the Communications Director for the Oregon Senate Majority Office.

Tess developed a strong background in paid, earned, and owned communications working at public affairs agencies in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. She also previously served as communications director for Senator Cory Booker’s presidential campaign in Iowa and managed Nevada Congresswoman Susie Lee’s successful, highly competitive re-election campaign in 2020.

An Oregon native, Tess got her degree in Political Science from The George Washington University. She lives in Portland, where she spends her free time hiking, exploring the city’s amazing restaurants, and agonizing over the Trail Blazers.

Email: tess.seger@sos.oregon.gov

Ricardo Luján Valerio (he/him)

Deputy Chief of Staff – Government Relations

Ricardo Luján Valerio currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff – Government Relations for Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read. Before joining the Secretary of State’s executive team, he held the position of Executive Director of Government Relations and Special Projects at Western Oregon University. Prior to this role, Ricardo contributed to the City of Portland as Policy Director in the Office of Commissioner Rubio. Ricardo held several positions at Latino Network, including Agency Advisor and Director of Advocacy, and worked as a Policy Associate at the ACLU, focused on policies pertaining to elections, immigration, criminal justice, and education. Ricardo has been a leader in the passage of various state legislative priorities, such as HB 2015 (Driver Licenses for All) and SB 1008 (Youth Sentencing Reform). Most recently, he was a co-architect of the Oregon Worker Relief Fund, a multi-million-dollar disaster relief program for Oregon’s immigrant community.

Additional experience includes serving as Legislative Director for the Oregon Student Association. Earlier legal experience includes roles as a Paralegal at The Center for Nonprofit Legal Services and Legal Assistant at Idiart Law Group LLC.

Ricardo is pursuing a Master of Business Administration at Portland State University and has obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management, alongside a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Southern Oregon University.

Email: ricardo.lujanvalerio@sos.oregon.gov

Connor Radnovich (he/him)

Communications Specialist

Connor Radnovich serves as Communications Specialist – Elections, Audits for the Oregon Secretary of State. He has nearly a decade of experience communicating about Oregon politics for statewide audiences.

Connor began his career in newspapers, working as a reporter and photojournalist for news organizations across the country, including in Washington, D.C., San Francico, Seattle, and Phoenix. He moved to Oregon in 2017 to lead coverage of state government, elections, and the Oregon Legislature for the Salem Statesman Journal. He later worked as Communications Director in the Oregon Senate President’s office for four legislative sessions, collaborating with lawmakers and developing communications strategies to support passage of legislative priorities.

He graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Mass Communication.

Email: connor.radnovich@sos.oregon.gov

Vannesa Campuzano Villalobos (she/her)

Communications Specialist

Vannesa Campuzano Villalobos serves as the Constituent Services and Office Specialist for Secretary Read. She is the primary point of contact for the public, responding to all inquiries and correspondence submitted by Oregonians. Vannesa also works closely with the Communications Deputy Chief of Staff to support the office’s outreach and communication efforts.

A dedicated public servant, Vannesa brings a breadth of experience from her previous roles with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Social Security Administration in her home state of Colorado. She also served in the Peace Corps as a Youth and Family Development Volunteer in Ecuador.

Vannesa holds a Master of Global Affairs from the University of Notre Dame and a B.A. in International Studies and Communications from the University of Colorado Denver.

She is passionate about making government more accessible and advocating for immigrant and refugee communities. In her free time, Vannesa enjoys traveling, trying out new coffee shops, and spending time with her loved ones.

Email: vannesa.campuzano@sos.oregon.gov

Bryan Longoria (he/him)

Lead Digital and Creative Strategist

Bryan is the digital and creative strategist for the Oregon Secretary of State. He has more than a decade of experience in government communications, video production, earned and owned media strategies. Prior to this role, he served as Digital Content Manager for Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and as a Public Information Officer for the Oregon Department of Forestry and still serves as an Information Officer on ODF's Complex Incident Management Team 3.

Bryan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from the University of Oregon and a Master of Business Administration from Corban University and served six years in the United States Marine Corps. He's passionate about public service and exploring the state. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest and visiting the coast with his family.

Email: bryan.longoria@sos.oregon.gov

Anna Kovalchuk (she/her)

Constituent Services and Office Specialist

Anna Kovalchuk serves as the Constituent Services and Office Specialist for Secretary Read. She is the primary point of contact for the public, responding to inquiries, public record requests, and correspondence submitted by Oregonians. Anna also works closely with the Communications Specialist and Communications Deputy Chief of Staff to support the office’s outreach and communication efforts.

A dedicated public servant, Anna brings a range of experience from her previous roles with Secretary of State Corporation Division as a Compliance Specialist and Financial Clearance specialist with Salem Health. She is also fluent in Russian language, and she worked as a certified medical interpreter for Salem Health and surrounding clinics to serve the Russian/Ukrainian population.

Anna delights in her family and eagerly awaits spring, when she’ll move to an acreage and begin growing a garden and raising small farm animals.

Email: anna.kovalchuk@sos.oregon.gov

Carol Moreno Cifuentes (she/her)

Senior Policy Analyst

Carol Moreno supports the government relations team as the executive team’s Senior Policy Analyst. Prior to joining the Secretary of State’s office, Carol worked as a Policy and Programs Manager at Democracy North Carolina. In her role she operated a nonpartisan statewide Voter Hotline and advocated for policies at the state and county level to improve voter access to elections, transparency, and build trust and confidence among voters in the electoral system.

Carol was raised in Willamette Valley and attended Oregon State University, where she went on to support Oregonians in workers’ compensation cases. Carol has also served the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition in advocating for legislative reform to improve data privacy laws and protect the rights of farmworkers.

Carol enjoys biking in the Portland area, ceramics, and dancing.

Email: carol.morenocifuentes@sos.oregon.gov

Krystle Jo (KJ) Aslett (she/her)

Executive Assistant to the Oregon Secretary of State

KJ serves as the Executive Assistant to Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read. A dedicated public servant, she has worked for the State of Oregon since 2017. Her journey began at the Oregon State Hospital and continued through roles in the Governor’s Office under Governors Brown and Kotek before joining the Secretary of State’s Office.

Before embarking on her career in public service, KJ studied Food and Beverage Management in college and managed kitchens and restaurants for nearly a decade. She also worked in home lending in Virginia and Oregon. KJ is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), and for ten years, she was a certified ASL interpreter in California. She also contributes her talents as a volunteer, including serving as Managing Editor and Layout Specialist for the digital magazine of Children of Deaf Adults, Inc., from 2020 to 2023.

An avid traveler, KJ has visited 48 out of 50 states and soon hopes to add Hawaii and Alaska to the list.

Email: krystlejo.aslett@sos.oregon.gov

Maddie Cloyd (she/her)

Executive Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of State and Chief of Strategic Initiatives

Maddie serves as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of State and Chief of Strategic Initiatives, playing a vital role in ensuring smooth operations and strategic alignment within the Oregon Secretary of State’s office. With a career rooted in public service, Maddie began her professional journey at the Oregon State Treasury, where she honed her organization and administrative skills over a span of three years.

Known for her proactive approach, she excels at problem-solving and thrives on helping others navigate complex challenges. Whether coordinating critical initiatives or providing day-to-day support, Maddie remains dedicated to fostering efficiency and collaboration. She is a driven individual passionate about making a positive impact.

Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Merlin, and reading a good book.

Email: maddie.cloyd@sos.oregon.gov

Division Leadership Team

Steve Bergmann (he/him)

Director, Audits Division

Steve is the Audits Division Director for the Oregon Secretary of State. The Audits Division conducts audits to protect the public interest and improve Oregon government. The Audits Division performs several types of audits, including financial statement, compliance, performance, and information technology audits. Additionally, the division provides oversight of municipal auditors in Oregon, it administers the Government Waste Hotline, and it generates Letters of Assurance for the bond community, State Treasurer, and other state agencies. The division’s audits are conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards as published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Before his appointment to Audits Division Director, Steve served in auditing and administrative leadership roles at the Oregon Department of Revenue, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and at the Oregon Secretary of State. Steve has also served on several governance and oversight committees with numerous organizations, including with the Oregon State Bar, Marion County, City of Salem, and Institute of Internal Auditors – Salem Chapter.

Steve lives in Salem with his wife Ellen and their two daughters. Outside of work, Steve can regularly be found shuttling his kids from one basketball practice to the next.

Email: steve.bergmann@sos.oregon.gov

Eloisa Yarbrough (she/her)

Director, Corporation Division

Eloisa is the Corporation Division Director for the Oregon Secretary of State. Her portfolio includes overseeing the Business Information Center, Office of Small Business Assistance, Uniform Commercial Code, Notary, and Business Registry. Her professional background includes policy making, leading statewide initiatives, local and rural community engagement, economic development, advocacy for Oregon businesses, and is a seasoned diversity, equity and inclusion professional.

Eloisa is committed to supporting the success of all Oregonians and is passionate about ensuring business owners have equitable access to critical resources to start, sustain, and thrive.

On Eloisa’s personal time, she enjoys being active and has a great love for outdoor adventures with family and friends.

Email: eloisa.yarbrough@sos.oregon.gov

Dena Dawson (she/her)

Director, Elections Division

Dena is the State Elections Director and a dedicated public servant with over 17 years of comprehensive experience in election administration. With a profound expertise in election management and voter registration, she has played a pivotal role in upholding the integrity, transparency, and efficiency of elections across local, state, and national levels.

Throughout her career, Dena has managed a diverse range of responsibilities, including overseeing voter registration processes, training election workers, coordinating large-scale election operations, implementing advanced voting technologies, and operationalizing election policies. Known for her adaptability in navigating the evolving challenges of modern elections, she is also recognized for her collaborative approach to problem-solving, fostering effective partnerships and ensuring the seamless execution of election procedures.

Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys camping, undertaking DIY projects, and singing karaoke. A former roller derby athlete, you might also find her roller skating in her free time.

Email: dena.dawson@sos.oregon.gov

Stephanie Clark (she/her)

State Archivist

Stephanie Clark is the State Archivist and Director of the Oregon State Archives, and has been part of the State Archives since 2012. A native Oregonian, Stephanie has always loved the Archives, interning there as an undergraduate. Stephanie has a passion for increasing public access to government records. She is a frequent presenter of records management best practices to public officials in cities, counties, state agencies, and special districts across Oregon. Stephanie is a Certified Records Manager and received her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Simmons College. When not at work, Stephanie enjoys listening to podcasts, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Email: stephanie.clark@sos.oregon.gov

Michael Williams (he/him)

Business Services Director

Michael Williams serves as the Business Services Director for the Oregon Secretary of State. The Business Services Division is responsible for accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, payroll & benefits, procurement, contract administration, cashiering, mail service, receiving, inventory control, facilities, safety, and risk management services.

Prior to joining Secretary of State, Michael was the Central Services administrator at the Oregon Department of Energy. Michael has experience with a variety of roles and responsibilities in Oregon state government, including auditing, program management and policy development, grant management, budget and finance, procurement, operations, and information technology. He also served Governor Ted Kulongoski’s Executive Recovery Team, managing the response to the Great Recession of 2008. Outside of work, Michael likes to stay active, enjoys a good book or game, and spends time volunteering in the community.

Email: michael.williams@sos.oregon.gov

Tasha Petersen (she/her)

Human Resources Director

Tasha has served as the Secretary of State Human Resources Director since 2017 and is responsible for the Human Resources Division which supports the Agency in hiring and retaining a top-notch workforce. Areas of focus include workforce planning and recruiting, retention and employee engagement, affirmative action, protected leaves, classification and compensation, employee learning and development, performance management, employee relations and organizational development. Tasha has served in Oregon state service since 1998 with most of her career spent in the Human Resources profession. This is not an unfamiliar role for her as she has served as the HR Director for Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Oregon Department of Forestry, and the Employment Department. Before coming to this role, she served as the Employee Relations, Labor Relations, and Litigation Manager for Oregon Department of Transportation. Tasha has a love for the culinary arts and enjoys spending time cooking and baking for her family and friends.

Email: tasha.petersen@sos.oregon.gov

Steve Menachemson (he/him)

Chief Information Officer

Steve Menachemson serves as the Chief Information Officer for the Oregon Secretary of State. He leads the agency’s technology infrastructure, IT service and support, application development, and enterprise data management—ensuring secure, transparent, and efficient public services.

Previously, Steve spent over a decade as Director of Technology for Eugene School District 4J, where he architected IT strategy, modernized systems, and strengthened cybersecurity across 33 schools. Before public education, he held senior IT roles at Symantec and TechNet Group, where he honed his expertise in technology operations, cloud computing, and IT service delivery.

Outside of work, Steve enjoys exploring Oregon’s outdoors, staying abreast of emerging technology trends, and experimenting with new culinary creations.

Email: steve.menachemson@sos.oregon.gov