July 20, 2005

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the appointment of Lisa Webb Sharpe, 41, to serve as director of the Department of Management and Budget (DMB).  Webb Sharpe is currently the Cabinet secretary and public policy director in the Governor’s office.

“Lisa Webb Sharpe has been instrumental in the work that the Department of Management and Budget has already done to streamline state government, save taxpayer dollars, and increase efficiency,” said Granholm.  “She is a great leader who is committed to excellence and integrity, and I know she will build on DMB’s mission of great service for citizens and state departments.”

During her tenure as Cabinet secretary, Webb Sharpe developed and implemented the Cabinet Action Plan which was a factor in Michigan being named one of the best managed states in the nation by Governing magazine.
 
Webb Sharpe holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Personnel and Industrial Relations from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Business Administration Degree in International Business from Wayne State University.  Prior to joining the Granholm Administration, she worked at The Traverse Group in Ann Arbor as director of Housing Services and spent eight years in Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer’s Administration.  She and her husband, Felix Sharpe, live in Okemos with their daughter.
 
Webb Sharpe will replace out-going DMB Director Mitch Irwin who was recently named director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture.  Webb Sharpe will be the first African American to serve as DMB director.  She is scheduled to begin her duties on August 1.
 
The appointment is subject to disapproval by the Michigan State Senate.

#  #  #