From April 11, 2022
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced new hires and promotions in the executive office’s legal, legislative affairs, appointments, and communications divisions.
“I am thrilled to welcome new members to our team and promote so many familiar faces,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Our dynamic, hardworking team will help us continue growing our economy and working together to pass a balanced, bipartisan budget. I look forward to working with these incredible people to continue putting Michiganders first and get things done!”
Office of Legal Counsel
Patti Tremblay, Deputy Legal Counsel
Patti is moving from Legislative Affairs and will serve as the Office of Legal Counsel’s point person on legislation and the budget. She previously served as Legal Counsel for the Michigan House of Representatives Democratic Caucus and is a graduate of Michigan State University Law School.
Alexis Blane, Special Counsel to the Governor
Alexis most recently served as Principal Deputy Counsel and Acting Counsel to the mayor’s office in New York City. In the Office of Legal Counsel, she will advise on legal issues arising in connection with the environment, health, and other matters. Alexis previously worked in the non-profit space and at the U.S. Department of State. She attended New York University Law School.
Erin Gianopoulos, Associate General Counsel for Ethics and Integrity
Erin was previously a tax attorney at the Internal Revenue Service and is a recent graduate of Wayne State University Law School. She will work closely with the Chief Compliance Counsel on matters pertaining to compliance and ethics. Before attending law school, Erin served for twenty years as a logistics officer in the United States Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserves.
Legislative Affairs
Joe Fedewa, Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs, Senate Liaison
Joe will stay on the Legislative Affairs team as Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs. He will now serve as the Senate Liaison after a stint as House Liaison. Joe was previously a Legislative Director for various members of the Michigan House. He is a double graduate of Central Michigan University.
Kristi James, Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs, House Liaison
Kristi will join the team as liaison to the Michigan House of Representatives. She is joining the executive office after six years in the legislature, most recently as Legislative Director for Representative Sarah Anthony. Kristi has worked on a wide variety of legislation, including the bipartisan Michigan Reconnect program and improvements to occupational licensing policies for veterans and their families. She has participated in the National Council of State Legislatures Legislative Staff Management Institute, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Lansing Program, and is a graduate of Michigan State University's James Madison College.
Sav Danbert, Legislative Coordinator
Sav is joining the Legislative Affairs team from Governor Whitmer’s Constituent Services Department where she was the Correspondence Manager and previously a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services specialist. She also served as a Legislative Aide in the Michigan House of Representatives. Sav is a graduate of Michigan State University.
Appointments
Danielle McCann, Deputy Director of External Affairs for Appointments
Danielle has been promoted to Deputy Director of External Affairs. She most recently served as the Deputy Director and Interim Director of Appointments. Danielle has been with the administration since 2019, first serving as the Appointments Clerk. Prior to her time in the executive office, Danielle was a non-partisan Journal Clerk in the Michigan Senate and a Legislative Assistant for former State Representative Shanelle Jackson. She is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College and holds a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University.
Communications
Bobby Leddy, Director of Communications
Bobby has been promoted to Director of Communications. Previously, he was Press Secretary to Governor Whitmer. Before entering the executive office, he worked for the Michigan State Senate communications department. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.
Julia Pickett, Digital and Creative Director
Julia will serve as the Digital and Creative Director, managing social media, photo and video production, and graphic design. Previously, she served as Senior Photographer/Videographer.
Stacey LaRouche, Deputy Press Secretary
Stacey has been promoted to Deputy Press Secretary. Previously she served as Communications Assistant and got her start as an intern in the executive office. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's James Madison College.
Erin Stover, Communications Liaison
Erin Stover is moving to the executive office from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency where she served as their Public Affairs Officer. Previously, Erin was the Marketing and Communications Manager at Special Olympics Michigan for nearly eight years. She has also worked in a variety of public relations and communications roles ranging from United Airlines to The Jenny Jones Show. Erin is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago.
Original source can be found here.
