A message from George Naughton, Acting Chief Operating Officer and DAS Director

Across DAS we’ve been talking about keeping our momentum going as we adjust to a leadership change. A number of projects begun by the Enterprise Leadership Team and the Improving Government Steering Committee are moving ahead. Governor Brown is counting on agencies to continue working together to generate efficiencies wherever possible, and I fully support the efforts of these groups. Because of the leadership they provide on behalf of agencies, there’s no reason to lose ground, and every reason to keep up the good work.  

Now is not the time to stop, and we want to continue celebrating our successes. On that note I applaud state government’s accounting, budget and finance staff. For the first time, every agency has earned a “Gold Star for Excellence” certificate, which the DAS Chief Financial Office issues to agencies that maintain and report accurate and complete financial records. Many agencies receive this honor year after year. The fact that all agencies earned the certificate this year is a tribute to the state’s dedicated financial professionals. Congratulations and thanks for your excellent work. -George 

DAS' four Customer Utility Boards recently reached an important milestone - finalizing service level agreements for all of DAS' 13 service lines. The service level agreements include a total of 135 metrics that DAS programs report to the boards. The agreements are posted on the boards' website and featured on the websites of each service line.  

Since forming the boards, DAS customer service scores have improved, giving the agency a deep appreciation for the board members. DAS formed the customer boards to provide customers a meaningful voice in the cost, type, quality and quantity of services delivered. Board members serve as a forum to recognize and respond to customer needs and to keep the exchange of information flowing between DAS programs and the customers they serve.

DAS recently launched a project to replace aging technology in the streetlights in the State Capitol State Park. Much more than changing a light bulb, electricians will soon gut ballast and other hardware within the light fixtures and replace them with LED technology. LED lighting is known for saving energy, which will translate into real dollars saved on electricity bills.

Park visitors will not be affected during the replacement project. The electricians will tackle one streetlight at a time. If you have questions, please call the DAS facilities help desk, 503-378-3664, or send an email to Facilities.Helpdesk@oregon.gov.

Acting COO George Naughton recently announced that John Koreski (pictured at right), a former administrator of the State Data Center, will assist with the day-to-day operations of the Enterprise Technology Services division under a short-term contract beginning this month.

John is a respected leader in state government’s information technology community. "We are fortunate to have John back, and his support in the coming months will be invaluable," wrote George in an email to DAS employees.

John will serve in this role while an assessment of state government's technology needs and the State Data Center's services is completed and DAS is in a position to recruit for a permanent administrator of the technology division. John reports to State CIO Alex Pettit who is providing interim executive leadership for Enterprise Technology Services. You can reach John at the State Data Center, 503-378-2176.  

Following a rash of near misses, the Salem Motor Pool on Airport Road has installed additional signs to help drivers enter and exit the fuel pump islands correctly and safely. Drivers can refer to this map for guidance.

DAS asks agencies to share this reminder through employee intranets, newsletters or email, to help get the word out: Watch for one-way signs at the Salem Motor Pool, especially when refueling. Allow a few minutes of extra time on your next Motor Pool trip so you can enter and exit safely. 

Questions? Call Fleet & Parking Services, 503-378-4377.