Gov. Whitmer Announces Appointments to Cabinet, State Agencies

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced several appointments to cabinet, state agencies and executive staff positions on Thursday.

“The State of Michigan will benefit from all of today’s appointments, and I look forward to working with this talented group of people to put Michiganders first and get things done,” Governor Whitmer said. “We have an unprecedented opportunity right now to usher in a new era of prosperity for our state, and I am proud to have a skilled, experienced team by my side as we work together to deliver real change on the kitchen-table fundamental issues that make a difference in people’s lives.”

Christopher Harkins has been appointed as the state’s new Budget Director. He currently serves as the Director of the Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency and previously worked in the  State Budget Office and the House Republican Policy Office.

Julia Dale will as the state’s new Director of the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget. She most recently served as an Assistant Attorney General and Section Head of Business and Charities Section in the Office of the Attorney General and previously worked in various high-level roles at the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

Poppy Sias-Hernandez will serve as the new Executive Director of Global Michigan while continuing her role as the state’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer. She has served in the Whitmer administration since the beginning, first as the West Michigan Regional Director of Community Affairs and most recently as Michigan’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer.

Maria Martinez was named the Chief Compliance Officer. She was formerly the Deputy Legal Counsel to the Governor and joined the executive office in December 2020.

Marc Rehmann was selected to serve as the governor’s Policy Director. He joins the administration after serving as Deputy Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative Diana DeGette, a Senior Campaign Manager at the Center for American Progress and as a legislative aide to U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke.