August 10, 2005

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the appointment of Teresa A. Bingman as Deputy Chief of Staff for Cabinet Affairs and Management in the Executive Office.  Bingman is currently the deputy legal counsel and criminal justice advisor in the Governor’s office.
 
“Teresa is a skilled leader with a strong work ethic and tireless enthusiasm,” Granholm said.  “I am confident she will help my Cabinet provide the best service possible to the citizens of Michigan.”
 
Bingman’s duties as deputy legal counsel included advising the Governor on emergency management and homeland security issues and criminal justice policy issues related to the Department of Corrections and the Michigan State Police.  She has also been the Governor’s representative on the Detroit Medical Center Task Force, served as staff lead in negotiating the Detroit-Wayne County Health Authority Interlocal Agreement, and helped coordinate the state’s response to the 2003 Michigan blackout.
 
Bingman, 42, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University and a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Oklahoma.  She served as assistant attorney general in the Attorney General’s Office under Granholm.  While there, she served in a regulatory role in the Casino Control Division, prosecuted crimes committed against the people of Michigan in the Criminal Division, and handled policy issues and legislative affairs in the Executive Division.

Prior to being appointed by then Attorney General Granholm, Bingman served as an assistant prosecutor in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, as General Counsel of the Oklahoma Drug Bureau, and as managing attorney for the UAW-GM Legal Services Plan in Oklahoma City and Flint.
 
Bingman will replace out-going Cabinet Secretary Lisa Webb Sharpe who was recently named director of the Michigan Department of Management and Budget.  Bingman is scheduled to begin her duties immediately.