Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Kris Strickler recently announced he will step down, effective Jan. 2.
“The decision to leave ODOT did not come easily to me, but with funding for the maintenance and operations of our transportation system secured, now is the time for new leadership to lead ODOT’s next chapter,” Strickler said. “The employees of ODOT are dedicated to improving the lives of Oregonians and because of that commitment, I know ODOT will continue to thrive.”
Strickler is the second longest serving director in agency history, having led the 4,500-person agency since fall 2019. He also served with ODOT as highway division administrator and Columbia River Crossing project director. He previously was Washington State Department of Transportation Southwest region administrator. As ODOT director, Strickler implemented a multimodal approach that resulted in statewide improvements for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and those using transit.
Gov. Tina Kotek appointed Oregon Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Sumption to serve as interim director until the Oregon Transportation Commission hires a permanent director.
Sumption has more than 25 years in public service. She has been Oregon Parks and Recreation Department director since 2014, managing a biennial budget of $400 million and leading a team of approximately 900 employees.