About Our Leadership
Director, Mike Reese
Mike Reese began his law enforcement career in 1989 as a Deputy Sheriff for Multnomah County. He transferred to the Portland Police Bureau in 1994 as part of an inter-governmental agreement as annexations were completed by the City of Portland. Mike served as an officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and precinct commander before being appointed Chief of Police in 2010. He retired in January 2015 as one of the longest-serving Chiefs in recent times.
Mike was the interim Executive Director of the Citizens Crime Commission before being appointed Multnomah County Sheriff in August 2016. He was elected in the November 2016 general election and re-elected in 2018. Mike served as Sheriff until his term ended in December of 2022.
Mike was appointed Director of the Department of Corrections (DOC) by Governor Kotek in November 2023 and is pending confirmation by the Oregon Senate. He has a bachelor's degree in Psychology and an Executive Master's Degree in Public Administration from Portland State University.
Mike believes public safety is the foundation for a thriving community and is committed to improving outcomes for Adults in Custody at DOC. He is also focused on staff wellness, including reducing mandatory overtime to fill vacant positions.
Mike and his wife Cindy have three daughters and enjoy sailing, travel, and Pickleball.
Messages From the Director's Desk
Deputy Director, Heidi Steward
Heidi Steward has served as the Oregon Department of Corrections Deputy Director since April 1, 2019. Ms. Steward is a 23-year DOC veteran, beginning her career in 1996. During her tenure, Ms. Steward redesigned the department's cognitive interventions toward evidence-based programs created specifically for criminal justice-involved adults. She implemented a new case management model allowing counselors to serve as change agents.
Ms. Steward served as a representative on two trips to Norway to learn the principles of humanity and normality applied throughout Norway's corrections system. She has applied those best practices and innovations to Oregon's corrections system – both in employee wellness and bettering the environment of those in custody. Ms. Steward's focus is on the professional environment, family well-being, and the culture inside and outside Oregon institutions. This has yielded notable improvements to the health and well-being of DOC staff and adults in custody.
Services Provided
All DOC divisions fall under the Office of the Director, and many divisions have their own functional units. The following services are provided within or in partnership with the Office of the Director:
Tom Shin, Chief Financial Officer:
The Chief Financial Office is responsible for the oversight of all financial activity for the Department of Corrections. Our programs include Central Accounting, Contracts and Procurement, Budget and Planning, AIC Revenue Generating Activities and AFAMIS Support. Additional areas supported by the Chief Financial Office are:
- Budget Office
- Budget Development and Management
- Long-Range Construction Plan
- AIC Financial Services
- Central Trust and Statewide Business Services
- Procurement and Contacts
- AFAMIS Support
- Financial Operations
Budget Documents:
The Budget Office identifies funding resources and needs, develops the department's budget, and monitors activities that affect the budget. The resources need to support the projected growth in the state prison population, including funds to house and supervise offenders, plus those needed for support and administrative functions.
The budget document is updated to reflect the Governor's priorities and again to reflect decisions made by the Legislature.
DOC's Internal Audits facilitates discussions on agency risk and completes an annual risk assessment to help drive audit topics for the year. Internal Audits provides assurance to the agency that processes are working as they should, and if not, makes recommendations for improvement. Internal Audits does this by talking with people, reviewing documentation, compliance, operational, financial, and system-related activities.
Gary Ninman, Inspector General:
The Office of the Inspector General provides an oversight function on behalf of the director and deputy director of the Department of Corrections.
The Office of the Inspector General was created in 1990 as recommended by an investigative report to the Governor. The Inspector General has broad responsibility for oversight of suspected, alleged, or actual misconduct within the Department of Corrections, reporting to the director or deputy, and to other officials as required by law and the DOC Code of Conduct. The Office of the Inspector General oversees:
- Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
- Hearings
- Adult in custody - Americans with Disabilities Act
- Discrimination Complaints
- Special Investigations Unit (SIU)
- Intelligence Unit
- Program Management Office
Melanie Doolin, Administrator:
Oregon Corrections Enterprises promotes public safety by providing AICs with meaningful work experience in a self-sustaining organization.
Oregon Corrections Enterprises
3691 State Street
Salem, Oregon 97301
Ph: 503-428-5500
Jennifer Black, Assistant Director:
The Public Affairs Division is responsible for creating and executing communication strategies to provide information about DOC to stakeholders and the public, as well as providing key information to its employees and adults in custody. The office represents the agency to the State Legislature, including information about Department strategy, positions on issues, and testimony. In addition, the office coordinates media activity for the agency and contributes to numerous special projects. The Public Affairs Division oversees:
- External Communications
- Internal Communications
- Legislative Relations
- Media Relations
- Public Records
- Strategic Planning
- Litigation
- Rules and Policies
Budget Documents
The Budget Office identifies funding resources and needs, develops the department's budget, and monitors activities that affect the budget. The resources need to support the projected growth in the state prison population, including funds to house and supervise offenders, plus those needed for support and administrative functions.
The budget document is updated to reflect the Governor's priorities and again to reflect decisions made by the Legislature.