Brewer Announces Transition Team, Chief of Staff and Web Site

Secretary of State gathers government experts, community and business leaders to aid in gubernatorial transition

PHOENIX – Secretary of State Jan Brewer announced a diverse team of qualified individuals from both the public and private sectors to help her with her transition to Governor of Arizona today.  The members of this team have pledged their expertise and time to Brewer's commitment of ensuring a seamless transfer of authority.

Also, Secretary Brewer named her long-time top aide, Deputy Secretary of State Kevin Tyne, as her gubernatorial chief of staff.  Tyne will guide the day-to-day operations of the Governor's Office.

"For the past six years, Kevin Tyne has served the people of Arizona as my Deputy with honor, devotion and dedication," Brewer stated.  "He is widely respected throughout state government.  He enjoys my full confidence and trust in this vital position."

Before his position as Deputy Secretary of State, Tyne served as Brewer's Chief of Staff when she was a Maricopa County Supervisor.  Tyne worked for eleven years in Washington, DC, first with Senator Bob Dole's presidential campaign and later on Capitol Hill for eight  years as the legislative director for Congresswoman Susan Molinari (R-New York).

The Director of Transition will be J. Charles Coughlin, a former gubernatorial deputy chief of staff.  Jay Heiler, a former gubernatorial chief of staff, will serve as Deputy Director of Transition for Personnel.  Douglas Cole, also a former gubernatorial deputy chief of staff, will be Deputy Director of Transition for Operations and Communications.

"I am looking forward to working with Governor Napolitano and her staff as we immediately face challenging tasks," said Brewer.  "Not only am I seeking input from my Transition Team, but I encourage citizen input and involvement by accessing my transition web site: www.BrewerTransition.org.  I also encourage those interested in serving in my administration to contact us through this site."

 "We have a lot of work ahead of us," said Transition Director Chuck Coughlin. "Secretary Brewer has charged her team with seeking and reviewing agency briefing materials; interviewing current administration officials; making personnel recommendations and making general recommendations on state government policies and operations."

The members of the transition team announced December 5, 2008 include:
Bas Aja, Arizona Cattlemen's Association
Lisa Atkins, Greater Phoenix Leadership, fmr. congressional chief of staff
Richard Bark, Gallagher and Kennedy, fmr. chief of staff to House Speaker
Linda Blessing, fmr. executive director of AZ Board of Regents, fmr. AZ Dept. of Economic Security director           
Drew Brown, DMB Associates, Greater Phoenix Leadership board member
Ernie Calderon, Calderon Law Offices
Douglas Cole, HighGround, Inc., fmr. gubernatorial deputy chief of staff
J. Charles Coughlin, HighGround, Inc., fmr. gubernatorial deputy chief of staff
Lori Daniels, small businesswoman , fmr. House Majority Leader and Senator
Lisa Hauser, Gammage and Burnham, fmr. gubernatorial general counsel
Jay Heiler, educator and consultant, fmr. gubernatorial chief of staff
Eileen Klein, United Healthcare VP, fmr. chief of staff to House Speaker
Andy Kunasek, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman
Dan Lewis, Senior VP, Bank of America, fmr. US senatorial staff member
Cheryl Lombard, Nature Conservancy, fmr. congressional staff member
Alan Maguire, Economist, Maguire Company, fmr. Sr staff to 4 Senate Presidents and 4 Speakers of the House
Tom Manos, Maricopa County Chief Financial Officer
Brian McNeil, AZ Corp. Comm. executive director, fmr. gubernatorial policy advisor
Jim Pignatelli, UniSource Energy Corp. President & CEO,
Bill Post, Pinnacle West CEO
Richard Silverman, SRP General Manager
Kevin Tyne, Deputy Secretary of State and incoming Chief of Staff
Paulina Vazquez-Morris, fmr. Maricopa County Special Healthcare District Board Member, fmr. general counsel to AZ Board of Regents
Bob Walkup, City of Tucson Mayor
Connie Wilhelm, Homebuilders Association of Central Arizona
Ted Williams, AZ Behavioral Health Corp. President, fmr. AZ Dept. of Health Services director
Steve Zabilski, St. Vincent de Paul Executive Director

The Transition Team will be divided into six issue areas headed by Assistant Transition Directors:  Criminal Justice & Public Safety, Richard Bark; Natural Resources, Environment & Infrastructure, Lisa Atkins; Education, Paulina Vazquez-Morris; Health & Human Services, Brian McNeil; Economic Development, Fiscal Policy & Budget, Lori Daniels; and General Government, Andy Kunasek.

Lisa T. Hauser will serve as Legal Counsel to the Transition Team.

The Transition Office will be located in the Executive Tower of the State Capitol on the Third Floor.  The office begins operations on Monday, December 8th and may be reached at (602) 542-3438.

"I thank the transition team members in advance for volunteering their time and efforts," said  Brewer. "I am truly grateful for their assistance in these economically challenged times."

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