ODA Natural Resources, March 12

The Oregon Department of Agriculture has named Stephanie Page as Director of Natural Resource Programs and has hired Andrea Cantu-Schomus as Director of Communications to fill two key positions within the agency’s executive team. “We are excited to have such talented and experienced individuals assume these important positions,” says ODA Director Alexis Taylor. “Both Stephanie and Andrea will help us move forward as we carry out our new five-year strategic plan for the agency.” Page is moving over to her new position after serving as ODA’s Director of Food Safety and Animal Health since 2014. She joined ODA in 1999 as a water quality specialist and also served as a special assistant to the director. In her new role, Page will oversee ODA’s Agricultural Water Quality, Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO), Pesticides, and Soil and Water Conservation programs. Page holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in environmental science from Stanford University. She replaces Ray Jaindl, who is retiring at the end of March after 25 years at ODA. Cantu-Schomus comes to ODA after working at the Oregon Department of Human Services handling communications for its Child Welfare Program. Previously, Cantu-Schomus worked as Communications Director for then Secretary of State Kate Brown. She also has a background in television news as a reporter at KGW-TV in Portland. Among other duties, Cantu-Schomus will work with news media and serve as ODA spokesperson. Cantu-Schomus holds an MBA from Willamette University. She replaces Bruce Pokarney, who is retiring at the end of March after 27 years at ODA.