Portland, OR – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today announced that Bend City Councilor Kathie Eckman (R-Bend) and former Jefferson County Commissioner Janet Brown (D-Madras) will join his staff. Both will work in Wyden's central Oregon office (located in Bend), representing the Senator in Jefferson, Deschutes, Crook and Wasco counties.
"Central Oregon is facing a lot of challenges that are distinct from other parts of Oregon," Wyden said. "The addition of two prominent and experienced central Oregonians to my staff will help me continue to meet my commitment to this region's unique needs."
Eckman, a long-time member of the Bend City Council and former Mayor, will resign her Council seat after a new member is selected, within 30 days. In addition to her political office, Eckman has been active with the Bend Chamber of Commerce and a Board member of the United Way, the Bend Development Board, the Central Oregon Community Action Agency Network (COCAAN), and the Central Oregon Battering and Rape Alliance (COBRA).
"I believe every citizen can make a difference in their community and that we all have a responsibility to make our communities a better place to live," said Eckman. "Senator Wyden shares that outlook and I look forward to representing him in central Oregon."
Brown, a former Jefferson County Commissioner, is a small business owner, a member (and former Board member) of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the National Federation of Independent Business. She is also a former Madras City Council member and was a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum.
"I'm honored to be joining Senator Wyden's team in central Oregon," Brown said. "I look forward to reaching out to the Senator's constituents in Jefferson, Deschutes, Crook, and Wasco counties."
Wyden's current central Oregon staff person, David Blair, is leaving to join the law and government relations practice at Ball Janik LLP after serving on Wyden's staff since 1997.
