January 16, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 16, 2003
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced two new appointments to her cabinet. Teresa M. Takai, 54, of Troy will direct the Department of Information Technology. Gloria J. Jeff, 50, a Michigan native currently living in Washington, DC, has been tapped to head the Department of Transportation. Governor Granholm also introduced Lisa Webb Sharpe, 39, of Detroit as her Cabinet Secretary.
“You could not find more experienced or passionate professionals than you see before you today,” said the Governor. “These women are proof positive that government can attract excellent people and attain excellent results.”
Takai is currently the Director of Process Development at Federal Mogul, and will take her first job in government after more than 30 years of management and technology experience in the private sector. Previously, Takai held senior positions at major corporations, such as Ford Motor and Electronic Data Systems, where she directed global information technology operations in several capacities. She holds an undergraduate degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in management, both from the University of Michigan.
“The Department of Information and Technology is a high priority for my Administration,” the Governor said. “That’s why it’s so important for me to have Teri’s wealth of management and IT experience on hand. We’ve got a great big task ahead in streamlining government and leveraging technology. DIT will help us get it done.”
As the new Director of MDOT, Jeff returns to the agency where she worked for 12 years, including five years as Deputy Director. In 1997, Jeff was appointed by President Clinton as Deputy Federal Highway Administrator. She will resign her current position as Vice President and Board Member of Parsons Brinkerhoff Quade & Douglas, an international infrastructure delivery firm. Jeff, who originally hails from Detroit, received both her M.S.E. in civil engineering and a double master’s degree in urban planning and civil engineering from the University of Michigan.
“Gloria Jeff lives and breathes transportation, and she’s the perfect candidate to manage MDOT and set its priorities straight,” Granholm stated. “Michigan needs her leadership and expertise, and we’re excited to have her back.”
Sharpe will assume her appointment as Cabinet Secretary after many years of being a cabinet secretary with Detroit Mayors Dennis Archer. Sharpe is currently the Director of Housing Services for The Traverse Group, an Ann Arbor-based environmental services consulting firm.
“Lisa is a superb manager of people and projects, and she will play an important role in policy development and implementation in my Cabinet.”
