December 17, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, December 17, 2002
LANSING - Governor-Elect Jennifer M. Granholm and Lt. Governor-Elect John D. Cherry today announced some of their senior staff appointees for the incoming administration.
Granholm named Richard Wiener her Chief Operating Officer. Wiener will oversee the Executive Office for the administration, Granholm said.
"Rick Wiener brings a wealth of legislative and policy know-how to our administration," Granholm said. "His depth of experience and knowledge on a broad range of issues facing our state makes him an ideal COO."
Wiener, partner and founder of Wiener Associates, a lobbying law firm, has been a senior advisor to elected officials in Michigan for more than 20 years. He has served under U.S. Senator Carl Levin and former Michigan Governor James Blanchard.
Wiener will divest his financial interests in his business, terminate his registration as a lobbyist, and transfer his partnership in his business, Granholm said.
Assisting Wiener will be Chuck Wilbur as Deputy Chief for Policy and Planning and Elva Revilla as Deputy Chief for Administration. Wilbur most recently served as State Director, Campaign Manager, and Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Carl Levin. Revilla comes to the administration from the private sector. She is President of Revilla & Associates, a consulting firm specializing in economic development and small business development. Revilla has transferred her current work and will no longer accept clients at her firm, Granholm added.
Heading up the Granholm-Cherry communications operation will be Genna Beaudoin Gent. Gent served as Granholm's speechwriter and Acting Communications Director for the Office of Attorney General for Granholm and is currently assigned to direct communications for the Granholm-Cherry Transition Team. Elizabeth Boyd, the Communications Director for the Michigan Department of State under both Republican Candice Miller and Democrat Richard Austin, will be the administration's press secretary. Mary Dettloff will serve as deputy press secretary, assisting Boyd and serving as the spokesperson for Lt. Governor Cherry. Dettloff served as deputy communications director for the Granholm gubernatorial campaign.
Kelly Keenan, who served as Deputy Attorney General for External Affairs in the Office of Attorney General for Granholm, will be the Chief Legal Counsel for the administration. A graduate of Thomas Cooley Law School, Keenan has served in the Attorney General's Office since 1984. Teresa Bingham, who most recently served as assistant Attorney General for both the Criminal and Executive divisions, will serve as a Deputy Legal Counsel. Bingman is a 1988 graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
Lt. Governor-Elect John D. Cherry has tapped Lynda Rossi as his Chief of Staff. Rossi served as Cherry's Chief of Staff in the Michigan Senate Democratic Leader's Office since 1999. Rossi has extensive legislative experience, including serving as Executive Director of the Michigan Senate Democratic Staff.
Jennifer LeFevre has been named Director of Scheduling for Governor-Elect Granholm. LeFevre most recently served as Deputy Campaign Manager for U.S. Senator Carl Levin during his re-election campaign.
"This highly-talented team of individuals is dedicated to making our administration run smoothly and effectively for the people of Michigan," Granholm said. "We are fortunate to have attracted a wealth of high-caliber people to serve, and I am proud to be working closely with this group."
