Two new Water Resources Commission members confirmed, new chair named by Gov. Tina Kotek

SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon Water Resources Commission has two new members - and a new chair.

Adell Amos and Travis Trumbull were appointed by Governor Tina Kotek and confirmed by the Oregon Senate to serve on the Commission. Trumbull is district manager of the Walla Walla River Irrigation District and is succeeding Eric Quaempts in the North Central Region. Amos is a law professor and Executive Director of the Environment Initiative at University of Oregon, succeeding Joe Moll in the West Central Region.

Additionally, current commissioner Janet Neuman (West Side At-Large) was recently named by Governor Kotek as Commission chair. Neuman is a retired water law attorney and former law professor at Lewis & Clark College who was appointed to the Commission in 2024.

The June commission meeting will be the first for Amos and Trumbull as commissioners, and Neuman's first meeting as chair.

"I'm excited to add two very knowledgeable perspectives about water in Oregon to the Commission, and for Janet Neuman's leadership as we continue making progress toward a more sustainable water future in the state," said Ivan Gall, Director of the Oregon Water Resources Department. "Thank you to former Chair Eric Quaempts and Joe Moll for their contributions as the department navigated some of the biggest changes to state water policy in decades, and to Vice Chair Julie Smitherman for leading the commission on an interim basis through some challenging and complex topics over the past several months."

The new commissioners and new chair offered their remarks:

Janet Neuman: "I am honored to be appointed Chair of the Commission by Governor Kotek. This is a critical time for Oregon's water resources and water policy and we have lots of tough problems to solve. I've spent many years thinking about and working on water issues, and I'm very excited to contribute whatever I can at this important moment." 

Adell Amos: "I am committed to bringing a collaborative approach to the important work of the Commission, and I intend to focus on listening and serving all the communities within Oregon." 

Travis Trumbull: "I am deeply grateful to Governor Tina Kotek for the nomination and to the Oregon Senate for their confirmation as an Oregon Water Resources Commissioner. I look forward to working alongside my fellow commissioners, as well as the director and staff of the Oregon Water Resources Department, to help steward our shared and finite water resources. As we are quickly ushered into critical times for water management and availability, I will serve our state in a transparent manner that fosters trust, collaboration, and informed decision-making."