State Auditor Gary Blackmer Announces Retirement

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

GoLocalPDX Business Team

Gary Blackmer

State Auditor Gary Blackmer announced his retirement, effective at the end of this year, on Tuesday morning. He had served as a government watchdog for more than three decades.

“Oregon is better because of Gary’s years of service,” said Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins. “Auditors may not be known for their glamorous jobs, but Gary and his team at State Audits are some of the most professional, respected, independent and intelligent people I have ever worked alongside. They serve Oregon well and with distinction.”

The Audits Division recently won prestigious national awards from the National State Auditors Association and the National Legislative Program Evaluation society.

Under Blackmer’s direction, the division issued more than 110 financial audits 75 performance audits and 20 information technology audits and management letters.

Blackmer worked for the past seven years on the Government Accountability Office’s Domestic Working Group. He received the 2010 Excellence in performance and Accountability Award from the National Intergovernmental Audit Forum, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Association of Local Government Auditors.

“I’m grateful to our current and former Secretaries of State for supporting our independence and professionalism as auditors, which is critical to our success,” Blackmer said. “I was amazed at the depth of talent in the Audits Division when I arrived six years ago, and it has been exciting to see how their work has brought meaningful improvements for Oregonians. I am confident that they will continue their excellent work under our interim director and Secretary of State.”

Mary Wegner, previously the deputy director overseeing financial audits, was appointed as Interim Auditor by Secretary Atkins. The appointment of a new audits permanent director will be left to the next Secretary of State, to be elected in November of 2016.