Whitmer makes changes in Cabinet
Governor announces arrivals, departures before start of her 2nd term
LANSING — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shuffled her Cabinet Friday as she prepares to begin her second four-year term Jan. 1, announcing that four Cabinet members are leaving their posts, including the official in charge of “fixing the damn roads.”
Whitmer, a Democrat, announced that Sen. Adam Hollier, D-Detroit, who is leaving the Senate at the end of the year, will be the new director of the Veteran Affairs Agency. She also named Michelle Lange as director of the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget, and Brian Hanna as executive director of the Cannabis Regulatory Agency. Both of those agencies had been headed by acting directors.
She also announced the departures from the Cabinet of:
Paul Ajegba, director of the Department of Transportation;
Liesl Clark, director of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy
Gary McDowell, director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and
Zaneta Adams, director of the Veteran Affairs Agency.
It’s not uncommon for governors to shuffle their Cabinets and top advisers as they begin a new term.
“When we took office four years ago, we set out to make Michigan a home for opportunity for everyone,” Whitmer said in a news release. “None of us could’ve anticipated the challenges thrown our way, but our team stood Michigan strong and never gave up doing what was right for Michiganders. For that, I’m grateful to the entire cabinet for their service during our first term. With a new term, comes new opportunities and challenges. Today’s appointments and promotions will only build on the work that we’ve done over the last four years. We know it won’t be easy, but it will be gratifying when we build a state that enables every Michigander to succeed.”
Whitmer announced acting directors for several affected agencies. She said Dan Eichinger, who is currently director of the Department of Natural Resources, was named acting director at EGLE; Brad Wieferich will be acting director of the Department of Transportation; Kathy Angerer will serve as acting director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; and Shannon Lott will be acting director of the Department of Natural Resources.
Ajegba, who was a longtime MDOT employee before Whitmer named him director in 2019, said he plans to retire at the end of this year.
A pledge to “fix the damn roads” was a signature campaign promise by Whitmer in 2018 and a project she says will continue into her
second term. Reviews have been mixed on how successful Whitmer has been in following through on her roads promise, but the governor has clearly increased road funding and construction in recent years, using state government road bonds, and, more recently, federal infrastructure money.
“Under Director Ajegba’s leadership, Michigan fixed 16,000 lane miles of road and 1,200 bridges while supporting 89,000 jobs, all without raising taxes by a dime,” Whitmer said in the news release.
In a recent interview with the Free Press, Whitmer said an entirely new funding model is needed to fix the roads, as the state expects to move to greater use of electric vehicles and away from gas-powered vehicles. Fuel taxes are a significant source of funds for road construction and maintenance.
Whitmer, first elected in 2018, was reelected Nov. 8 with over 54% of the vote, defeating Republican candidate Tudor Dixon. This term, she will have the backing of a Democraticcontrolled Legislature, after serving her first four years with Republican majorities in both the House and Senate. Under the state constitution, Whitmer can only serve two terms as governor.
Whitmer also announced changes in her executive office. Melanie Brown, Whitmer’s deputy chief of staff, is leaving to serve as executive ombudsman and senior partnerships adviser at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Whitmer said.
Nick Bagley, who is chief legal counsel to the governor, is rejoining the University of Michigan as a law professor with a specialty in health care and administrative law. Maria Martinez, who previously served as deputy legal counsel, will serve as acting chief legal counsel in addition to her role as chief compliance officer.
Shaquila Myers, who has served as senior adviser to the governor and chief of staff to Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, will lead Speaker-elect Joe Tate’s office as chief of staff.