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Governor-Elect Dennis Daugaard
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, S.D.57501
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Nov. 22, 2010
CONTACT: Tony Venhuizen, 605-773-4023 or Joe Kafka, 605-773-3212
Governor-elect Daugaard Announces Executive Committee
PIERRE, S.D – Governor-elect Dennis Daugaard today announced his senior leadership team. The Governor-elect intends to employ a team-based, management structure that does not center on a single official who answers to the Governor.
“I will be a hands-on Governor who is deeply involved with all aspects of government,” Gov.-elect Daugaard said. “This team-based leadership approach, which is common in the private sector, will allow me to employ top people to help me focus on my priorities, while working together with me to conduct the state’s business.”
The Governor’s Executive Committee will include six officials, each of whom will report directly to the governor:
Lt. Governor-elect Matt Michels was elected on a ticket with Gov.-elect Daugaard on Nov. 2 and will take office as Lieutenant Governor in January. Michels is currently participating full-time in the transition process, and like every Lieutenant Governor he will be in Pierre full-time during the legislative session to preside over the South Dakota Senate.During the next few months, Michels will transition out of his law practice and will be a full-time lieutenant governor by this spring.
“I am pleased that Matt has accepted my offer to be a full-time lieutenant governor,” Gov.-elect Daugaard said. “I asked Matt to be my running mate because, if anything happened to me, I would want him to serve as Governor. His experience as a Navy JAG prosecutor, a nurse, an attorney, and a legislative leader make him a valuable member of my team. In particular, his depth of experience in health care will be crucial as the state deals with the effects of federal health care reform.”
“I am honored to serve in this administration,” Michels said. “I am committed to Governor-elect Daugaard’s call to servant-leadership, and I am excited to work with him and his team, every day, to build a stronger South Dakota.”
Dusty Johnson has accepted Gov.-elect Daugaard’s invitation to serve as Chief of Staff. In that role, Johnson will oversee the operations of many government departments, as well as the operations of the Governor’s Office. Johnson will also be a key policy advisor, particularly in the areas of renewable energy and telecommunications.
In order to accept this position, Johnson will be resigning from his position as a Public Utilities Commissioner. Johnson will serve out the remainder of his current term, but will resign the term to which he was elected in November.
“It was my honor that the voters placed their confidence in me, for the second time, as a Public Utilities Commissioner,” Johnson said. “During my service on the PUC, I have worked hard to ensure fairness for consumers and to encourage the development of renewable energy in our state. I believe I will be able to continue that work, and to contribute in other ways, as a member of the Daugaard administration.”
“I know that Dusty cares very much about the work of PUC, and takes very seriously the obligations of elected office,” Gov.-elect Daugaard said. “It means a lot to me that he is willing to set that aside to be a part of my administration. Dusty is one of our state’s most impressive leaders and he will be a key member of my team.”
Johnson’s acceptance of this position will create a vacancy on the Public Utilities Commission, and Daugaard will announce his choice to fill that position on Tuesday morning.
Deb Bowman will serve as Senior Advisor to the Governor. Bowman is currently the Secretary of Social Services, and served previously as a Senior Advisor to Gov. Bill Janklow and Gov. Mike Rounds on social services, human services, and health. She was also the state’s first Homeland Security Director under Gov. Janklow. Bowman will advise the governor on all areas of policy, but particularly in these areas of expertise.
“I’m very pleased that Deb Bowman has joined my administration in this role,” Gov.-elect Daugaard said. “Deb brings years of experience in a variety of roles. She has spent her entire career working on behalf of South Dakota's children, families and citizens with disabilities. I appreciate her expertise and her candor. A Governor should be surrounded by smart people with strong opinions, and I have never had to wonder what Deb’s opinion was.”
Tony Venhuizen will serve as Director of Policy and Communications. Venhuizen managed Gov.-elect Daugaard’s successful campaign for Governor, which won the largest share of the vote in an open election for Governor of South Dakota in more than 60 years. Prior to that, Venhuizen served as a law clerk for South Dakota’s First Judicial Circuit and spent five years on the Board of Regents. In his new role, Venhuizen will oversee the policy-making process, press relations, speechwriting, and appointments to boards and commissions.
“Tony has been a valuable advisor to me for the past several years, and I’m pleased that he has agreed to serve in this role,” Daugaard said.
Jason Dilges will serve as Commissioner of Finance and Mangement. As the state’s chief financial officer, Dilges will continue to lead BFM and to manage the state budget process. Under this new structure, Dilges will also oversee the Bureau of Administration and the Department of Revenue.
“Over the past couple of years, Jason Dilges and his committed staff have worked hard to help our state navigate a difficult budget challenge and the complexities of changing levels of federal support,” Gov.-elect Daugaard said. “Jason is a talented and thoughtful person, and I’m glad that he will be staying on to provide continuity and institutional knowledge as we deal with the state budget this year.”
In addition to these five officials, the Governor’s senior leadership team will also include a Secretary of Economic Development, who will oversee the state’s efforts to create jobs and grow the economy. Governor-elect Daugaard and the transition team are reaching out to leaders from across the state to help identify strong candidates for this important role.
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