Gov. Ted Kulongoski announced his appointment of Treasurer Ted Wheeler as Oregon’s official representative and head of a delegation on a trade mission to China that departed Wednesday morning.
“Treasurer Wheeler will be an excellent representative for our state on this important business mission,” governor said in a statement. “As Oregon’s chief financial officer, Treasurer Wheeler is the appropriate surrogate in my absence to strengthen existing partnerships and advance new economic opportunities between Oregon and China.”
Kulongoski announced last week that he would have to withdraw from the mission because his physician has advised him to refrain from air travel while he is being treated for a hemorrhage in his left eye.
Wheeler has been treasurer since March, when Kulongoski appointed him to the post after the death of predecessor Ben Westlund.
