A significant leadership change is set to take place within Oregon’s juvenile justice system as Governor Tina Kotek announces the appointment of Michael Tessean as the new director of the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), a move poised to reshape the agency’s trajectory amidst critical challenges.
Tessean’s appointment, which awaits crucial Senate confirmation, is scheduled to become effective on August 18th. This transition follows the impending retirement of Interim Director Jana McLellan, who stepped into the role in March after the departure of former director Joseph O’Leary, setting the stage for a fresh perspective at the helm.
In a public statement, Tessean expressed his honor in leading OYA, emphasizing a commitment to building trust through transparency, accountability, and partnership. He highlighted his dedication to supporting and uplifting the agency’s staff, underscoring a collective effort to forge a youth justice system rooted in humanity, driven by data, and powered by the belief in the potential for young people to grow and thrive.
The leadership shuffle at OYA has been dynamic, with McLellan’s interim tenure bridging the gap after former director O’Leary was placed on administrative leave by Governor Kotek. McLellan is set to retire at the end of September, creating a clear path for Tessean to assume full leadership responsibilities.
Tessean steps into his new role at a pivotal time, as the Oregon Youth Authority grapples with a series of lawsuits alleging years of sexual abuse across multiple state facilities. These legal challenges claim that victims, while in custody as children, reported abuse but were ignored, threatened, or even punished for speaking out, underscoring an urgent need for systemic reform.
Governor Kotek’s office highlighted Tessean’s extensive qualifications, noting his more than two decades of experience at the intersection of behavioral health, juvenile justice, and public safety. His impressive background includes serving as the director of the Colorado State Board of Parole and holding senior leadership roles at the Colorado Department of Human Services, overseeing the Office of Behavioral Health and the Division of Youth Services. He also holds advanced degrees, including an MBA and a bachelor’s in psychology.
Governor Kotek underscored the immense responsibility facing OYA, stating that the agency has “complex challenges to address and a responsibility to Oregon to meet those challenges at the highest level of transparency and accountability.” She emphasized the critical impact OYA has on a young person’s life trajectory, expressing confidence that Tessean’s experience in criminal justice and behavioral health will drive the necessary organizational and cultural changes for a new chapter at the authority.
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