Treasurer Read formally announces Michael Kaplan to lead Treasury's business operations
By Amy Wojcicki
Michael Kaplan took the oath of office as the new Deputy State Treasurer on July 1 at the Oregon Capitol.
“Michael brings a wealth of management experience and enthusiasm to our team, and I am excited to have him in this new role,” said Treasurer Read.
“I am honored to serve the Treasurer as his Deputy and am thankful for the opportunity to work with the talented and dedicated team at the Oregon State Treasury,” said Deputy Treasurer Michael Kaplan.
The Deputy State Treasurer is responsible for overseeing the daily business at Treasury, including the state’s investment, debt management and public banking programs. Treasury is an institutional investor with more than $100 billion in assets under management, oversees a bonding portfolio of more than $10 billion, and processes more than $250 billion in state financial transactions a year.
As Deputy, Kaplan also will help advance Treasurer Read’s savings agenda, which aims to make it easier for all Oregonians to invest for a better future for themselves and their loved ones.
Kaplan joined Treasury as the Chief Operating Officer in December 2017. Prior to joining OST, Kaplan served as the Director of the Oregon Department of Energy. He has also worked in the Office of Governor Kitzhaber as Deputy Legislative Director and, before that, helped develop and lead the implementation of Oregon’s Hardest Hit foreclosure prevention program. Michael has also served the state as part of Governor Ted Kulongoski’s Economic Recovery Executive Team, which was responsible for implementing and monitoring the distribution of nearly $4 billion of Recovery Act funding, and as a budget analyst for the Department of Administrative Services.
Kaplan earned a Bachelor of the Arts from the University of Maryland.
Kaplan was appointed following the retirement of former Deputy State Treasurer Darren Bond on June 30. “I want to thank Darren for his leadership and service to the state over the last 30 years. He leaves big shoes to fill, but I am certain that Michael will be up to the task,” Treasurer Read said.
|
Legislature approves landmark refundable tax credit, which will put higher learning in reach for more Oregonians
By James Sinks
The promise of higher education and career training programs will be within reach for more Oregon families thanks to a new Education Savings Credit, under legislation that earned final legislative approval before the 2019 session adjourned.
House Bill 2164 authorizes the nation’s first refundable tax credit to help low- and moderate-income Oregon families save for their educational futures, through the Oregon College Savings Plan.
“We believe in kids from underrepresented communities, kids from rural Oregon, and every kid in our state who needs an opportunity,” said Treasurer Read. “Education and training after high school should be accessible to all Oregonians, regardless of their family’s zip code or the size of their bank account.”
The proposal calls for the Education Savings Credit to go into effect in 2020. The new legislation allows families to receive an income tax credit of as much as $300 for contributions to the Oregon College Savings Plan. The incentive will be available to all Oregon taxpayers, and will equal a percentage of the dollars they save in College Savings Plan accounts, on a sliding scale based on financial need.
The legislation is a key part of Treasurer Read’s savings agenda and his top priority for the 2019 session. Since entering office in 2017, he has expanded and prioritized efforts to help Oregonians save for education, for disability-related costs, and for retirement.
Research shows that just having an Oregon College Savings Plan account makes a profound and positive difference: When a child has a College Savings account set up in her or his name, they are three times more likely to enroll in a job training or college program, and four times more likely to complete it.
Accounts can be opened by just about anyone—parents, family, friends, even future students. Money saved in the Oregon College Savings Plan grows tax-free and can be used for qualified expenses at any accredited, post-secondary institution or trade school.
Launched in 2001, the Oregon College Savings Plan just celebrated a key milestone, with $2 billion saved.
 A Funny or Die video tells the story of an Oregon Trail pioneer who learns the value of saving, and features a cameo from a present-day Oregon financial leader.
Viral marketing: Spoof documentary video from 'Funny or Die' aims to increase interest in saving via auto-IRA programs like OregonSaves
By Kasey Krifka
Your eyes do not deceive you. In a recent Funny or Die Ken-Burns-style mockumentary, Treasurer Read was spotted doing business with entrepreneur extraordinaire and purported “inventor of retirement,” William Fromm.
If you haven’t already watched, the short video—created in collaboration with OregonSaves—will help you brush up on the unwritten, and admittedly outrageous, history of the Oregon Trail, and lighten what can often seem like a heavy topic to help retirement feel achievable.
After surviving the constant danger of the Oregon Trail and over 20 failed businesses, William’s colorful life brightened considerably with the forging of a buffalo chip empire and his resulting financial security. Unfortunately, his disastrous public service campaign on the merits of retirement angered a familiar looking group of tree-wielding Oregonians, ultimately leading to his banishment from the state.
We were fortunate to work with such a talented cast on this fun video project, including lead actor Allan McLeod as William, and narration by documentary legend Peter Coyote (the actual narrator for Ken Burns films!). Don’t forget to watch, share and root for pioneer William Fromm as he conquers the treacherous Oregon Trail, invents retirement, and makes saving in modern times seem like a piece of cake!
Agenda includes the first recipients of the Treasurer’s Values and Teamwork awards
By James SInks
There’s just something tantalizing about the idea of jumping in the station wagon and knowing that adventure awaits, turning on the radio, opening bags of Doritos -- and doing all it with people whose company you hope you still enjoy when you arrive.
Next up: A Treasury road trip.
For the first time, the Tigard office will host the All Staff meeting, on July 25. The meeting will be from 2 pm to 3 pm. For Salem staff, it means planning accordingly to get there, like stocking up on Doritos. And setting up carpools.
All-Staff gatherings are an important part of what we do, and are a priority for the Treasurer. As the organization has grown rapidly in the past few years and now is based in two cities, we have far fewer opportunities to get the whole team together. But they are a vital part of feeling connected and aligned as an enterprise. A workplace is like a team sport, where success relies on collaboration. And successful teams? They meet, strategize, and recognize and appreciate the value of teamwork.
That’s on the agenda on July 25, which will include the announcement of the first winners of the Treasurer’s Values and Teamwork awards.
Invested in better health: Treasury cyclists invited to hit the countryside
By Robin Kaukonen
For all you cyclists out there: Join Tom Lofton, Karl Cheng and Robin Kaukonen for a first unofficial social Treasury bike ride, on August 11th at 9:00 am. Route TBD depending on level of interest and cycling ability. Email robin.kaukonen@ost.state.or.us if you are interested.
Spouses and significant others are welcome!
Collaborative 'Teams' software application is coming soon
By Greg Sevdy
We are ready to start deploying the Teams application to all Treasury employees. Teams is a collaboration tool for sharing information through chat, file sharing, and online video meetings with the capability to share your screen.
Similar to the migration of your mailboxes to the cloud, we will be deploying Teams in phases rather than to all of Treasury at once. The tentative deployment order is: OSN, Debt, Shared Services/Admin, Capitol, Finance, and Investments.
The deployment will begin with installation of software and hardware to support Teams. Depending on your desktop environment, you will receive a camera (except for Surface users), a headset, and some software changes. Our Service Desk is currently in the process of refreshing older desktops. If you are one of the people receiving a new desktop, these upgrades might be included as a part of those replacements. Following the upgrades to your group, you will receive an invite to Teams training.
Cameras will be installed with a security shield that will need to be uncovered when used for video conferencing. If you do not need to video conference from your desk and would not like a camera installed on your desktop, you can let the desktop team know when they are deploying the devices.
New app makes it easier to find alternative ways to get to work
By Adele Honeyman
It’s easier than ever to share the ride with ODOT’s new carpooling tool, Get There. Get There (previously Drive Less Connect) helps Oregonians plan trips, share rides on single trips or on a regular basis, and more.
The new commute app will help folks find the best ways to commute, from carpools to ride sharing, to transit and biking.
It’s easy!
Just log in or create and account to find other people who need to take a similar route—it’s that simple! In addition to carpool matching, Get There provides transit, biking and walking directions, as well as vanpool options.
We're all in it together
Instead of driving alone, make your trip a more pleasant and rewarding experience by choosing a better way to Get There. You’ll also save money on gas and do your part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Coming soon…
Keep your eyes peeled for updates from Get There. The annual Get There Challenge is just around the corner and you can be entered to win awesome prizes for getting around without driving alone.
Get details and sign up at GetThereOregon.org
Chloe Dixon
Shared Services
I am excited to join the team at Treasury as your new Accounting Manager. I am looking forward to working with all divisions to help build the bridge between accounting and operations. I am a Certified Public Accountant with a background in public accounting, private industry and government service.
My most recent position was as an IT Project Accountant with DHS-OHA. I am proud to be a part of Treasury, and it is clear already that this is a team of hardworking and talented professionals.
I am a native to the Pacific Northwest and currently live in West Salem with my daughter, Sofia and a mustached cat named Astro. My daughter and I love to hike and find new places to eat that accommodate her various dietary restrictions. Shout out to Petunia’s Pies & Pastries in Portland! I like taking on various “challenges” and am currently doing a water challenge, an exercise challenge and a photo challenge. Hit me up if you want to join in or invite me to a new challenge!
A huge thanks to all for the warm welcome to Treasury!
|
Jeremy Knowles
Investments
Hello everyone! I am thrilled to be an Investment Analyst in the Investment Division. My background is in lending, risk analysis, consulting, and education. I taught economics and financial literacy to college students while earning my MBA at Washington State University.
I grew up in Alaska and caught the travel bug early. My travels took me to conferences and Model UN around the world, but my love of the Pacific Northwest brought me to Washington for college. I was hooked on the Lower 48’s four seasons and normal hours of sunlight and I love being close to nature. In school, I picked up an affinity for board games, racquetball, and playing Ultimate Frisbee. On weekends when I’m not gaming, dabbling in music, or playing sports, I try to get out and hike and explore the festivals and beautiful outdoors that drew me to Oregon.
I’m excited to be working with you and hope to say hello if you visit the Tigard Fixed Income team!
|
|
