Blackmer wraps up a distinguished and respected career as government watchdog
SALEM – State auditor Gary Blackmer announced his retirement this morning, effective December 31st. He was appointed Director of the Audits Division in 2009 by Kate Brown, then Oregon Secretary of State. Previously, Blackmer served 10 years as the elected Portland City Auditor, eight years as the elected Multnomah County Auditor, as a management auditor in Portland, and as an analyst for a variety of state and local agencies.
“Oregon is better because of Gary’s years of service. 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,” said Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins.
Recently, the Audits Division won prestigious national awards for a performance audit of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families from the National State Auditors Association, and from the National Legislative Program Evaluation Society for its audit about GED completions in Oregon.
Under Blackmer’s direction the Audits Division has issued over 75 performance audits, 20 information technology audits and management letters, and 110 financial audits. The auditors delve into the workings of government finances, computer systems, and services. They analyze data and case files, examine the logic of computer programs, observe the delivery of services, interview stakeholders and agency personnel, and conduct research about other states’ practices.
“To make government better, we serve as the mechanics that spot problems deep in the machinery of state government,” said Blackmer. “We don’t stop when we find a problem, we also find the path to a solution.”
For the past seven years, Blackmer served as a local and now a state member on the highly selective Government Accountability Office’s Domestic Working Group, comprised of the Comptroller General, six inspectors general, seven state auditors, and six local auditors. Blackmer is a recipient of the 2010 Excellence in Performance and Accountability Award from the National Intergovernmental Audit Forum, and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Association of Local Government Auditors in 2015. He also served as Chair of the Pacific Northwest Intergovernmental Audit Forum, and President of the 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,” said Blackmer. “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.”
Secretary Atkins has appointed Mary Wenger as the Interim Auditor upon Blackmer’s retirement. Wenger previously served as the Deputy Director overseeing financial audits. The appointment of a new audits director will be left open to the next Secretary of State, to be elected in November 2016.
The Audits Division conducts performance, financial, and information technology audits, monitors financial audits of local governments, and responds to hotline allegations.
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